How to Build a Cube Ottoman for Seating

Base Construction

• 1

  Lay the 2-inch by 4-inch (2x4) stud on a flat surface and measure off four 17-inch lengths. Cut the stud into four equal pieces with a hand or power saw. Rub the ends of the cut pieces with sandpaper to smooth any rough spots. These are the support legs for the inside of the ottoman.

• 2

  Place one of the 17-inch square plywood boards on a flat workspace. Measure and mark off every 4 1/4 inches on the left side of the board, two inches in from the edge.

• 3

  Drill a hole on each of the four marks with a small bit on a power drill. This will prevent the wood from spitting when you screw the boards together. Repeat the marking and drilling process with the other three plywood boards.

• 4

  Line one of the 2x4s up against the left-side edge of the plywood board. Screw a 1 1/2 inch deck screw into each of the holes. Repeat the process with the other three plywood boards.

• 5

  Place two of the plywood boards together at 90-degree angle at the corner with only one of the 2x4 supports on the inside. Hold them in place; you may need an extra set of hands.

• 6

  Screw three or four screws down the edge and into the 2x4 to attach them. Repeat the process with the remaining boards until you have a cube without a top.

• 7

  Set the last plywood board on top of the cube and line up the edges. Attach the top to the base at the four corners by screwing down into the 2x4 supports.

Cover Construction

• 8

  Cut the 2-inch upholstery foam into a 19-inch square. Spray the adhesive onto the top of the cube and surface of the foam. Lay the foam on top of the cube, leaving two inches of overhang on each side.

• 9

  Cut the batting and fabric into a 19-inch square and lay it them on top of the foam with the batting between the foam and the fabric.

• 10

  Staple the ends of the foam, fabric and batting to the box, beginning with two adjacent sides. Tuck the edge of the fabric at each corner underneath and staple it down. When the first two adjacent sides have been completed pull the fabric tight and straight down as you staple. This will eliminate any wrinkles on the surface.

• 11

  Wrap a layer or two of batting around the bottom so that it covers from the stapled edge to the bottom of the cube. The batting needs to be snug. Staple the batting in place at the end.

• 12

  Cut your fabric into a length of 68 inches. Take one corner of the fabric and place it on the stapled edge and corner of the box with the good side of the fabric facing the top of the ottoman cube. The fabric will be flipped over at the end of the process to guarantee that the staples are hidden.

• 13

  Staple the fabric to the box on one side, just underneath the other stapled border. Pull the fabric tight and staple the fabric again. Repeat the process for the other two sides.

• 14

  Flip down the fabric and hot glue the ends of the fabric to the ottoman to secure and mask the seam. Fold the ends of the fabric under the ottoman and staple them in place. Mask the border between the soft part and the sides by hot gluing trim over the seam.