How to Make a Wooden Ottoman

Stain all pieces of wood with wood stain if the stain is necessary. Some pine wood does not need stain, because of its attractive light color. Cedar and oak are dark-colored woods. The plywood used to make the ottoman will not be seen and does not need to be stained.

Secure, with two 2-inch screws six inches apart, a 12-inch 1-by-12-inch board to the end of a 32-inch 1-by-12-inch board so the edge of the 12-inch board is flush with the end of the 32-inch board.

Secure a second 12-inch 1-by-12-inch board flush with the free end of the 32-inch board on the same side of the board as the first 12-inch board using two 2-inch screws six inches apart.

Attach a 32-inch board to the free ends of the 12-inch boards in the same manner as the first 32-inch board, flush at the ends, with two 2-inch screws six inches apart at both ends.

Mount a 14-by-32-inch plywood board 1/2-inch thick to the box with 1 1/4-inch finish nails using a hammer. Place the nails at 1-inch intervals along all four edges of the plywood.

Mount a second 14-by-32-inch plywoood 1/2-inch thick to the open side of the box using 1 1/4-inch finish nails and a hammer. Place these nails at 1-inch intervals around the edge of the plywood.

Spray one plywood board with spray adhesive and add a 3-inch thick foam rectangle measuring 14-by-32-inches to the plywood. The edges of the foam must align with the edges of the plywood.

Fold the edges of a 18-by-36-inch coordinating fabric under itself 1/2-inch. Set the fabric over the foam top of the ottoman, checking that the fabric hangs over each side in equal lengths.

Fold the corners in and staple them with a staple gun. Staple the fabric around the ottoman at 1-inch intervals at the fold. Ensure the staples enter the wood. If they don't, pull it out and place another staple there. Any staples that are not flush will scratch a person's skin.

Attach four caster feet to the bottom of the ottoman by drilling four holes that are slightly smaller than the caster screws in each corner of the ottoman bottom. Screw in the casters by turning them clockwise.