How to Recover an Ottoman With Upholstery Tacks

If the cushion is in good shape, the frame sturdy but you can't stop staring at the ottoman that's ruining your room design, a quick change of upholstery may be all your ottoman needs to find a new spot in your home. Refinishing the footrest instead of purchasing a new one can cut down on your budget and reduce household waste. You can even save a few more dollars by using leftover upholstery material. Just add appliques or upholstery tacks to make your project stand out and look more professional.

Measuring tape
Fabric
Scissors
Tape
Staple gun
Staples
Tacks
Tack hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the height and width of your ottoman. Multiply the height by two then add this sum to the width to determine the amount of fabric required. Add 3 inches allowance for the fasteners; this figure is measurement A.
- 2
  Measure the length of the ottoman if it is square. Multiply the height by two and add the width plus 3; this is measurement B.
- 3
  Cut a round of fabric the diameter of measurement A for a round ottoman. Cut a square piece of cloth the width and length of A for a square ottoman. For a rectangular ottoman, cut a piece of cloth the length of A and the width of B.
- 4
  Center the material on top of the ottoman, right side up.
- 5
  Smooth the material down on all sides to make the drape even. You can also smooth the fabric at an angle for a different appearance. Experiment with different looks by taping the material to the bottom of the ottoman.
- 6
  Staple the edge of the cloth to the underside of the ottoman. Imagine an X across the top of the ottoman. Start by placing one anchor staple in line with each of the four points of the X.
- 7
  Smooth and staple the material between the anchors.
- 8
  Determine the location of the tacks. You can place a single tack in the center of the cushion, use a row around the top, middle or bottom, or scatter tacks all over the piece.
- 9
  Mark the location of the tacks with chalk. Use a ruler to ensure the lines are even if you are placing the tacks in a row.
- 10
  Drive a tack into each mark until it is firmly embedded in the wood base. Do this for all remaining tacks

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