Floor cushions are great especially when guests are over, but most of the time they can take up a lot of space on the, well, floor. This DIY ottoman base not only gives you a space to store your floor cushions when not in use, but also gives you an ottoman (and coffee table if you add a tray) to boot. Ottomans seem to be the small space solution that keep on giving.
While this project requires familiarity with miter saws and circular saws and finishing nails, the concept is one that could easily be duplicated in a way that doesn't require a workbench.
To see the full instructions and supply list, visit Better Homes and Gardens: Make Your Own Ottoman.
(Images: Better Homes and Gardens)
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Nice!
Sawing the legs off of a right sized thrift shop end table would get you the platform if construction is impossible in your space/available skillset. Cushions can be scrounged from an otherwise destroyed sofa (steam cleaning is a wonderful thing). Fortune favors the brave (dumpster diver).
Thank you for posting this! A great project and exactly what I need to make!
genius! now my floor cushions won't look sloppy just sitting there when not in use.
They sell couch bases like that here in Europe for 200-400 euros a piece - and that's without cushions. Over here it's not too hard to find neat large cushions though. Would be fun to make a smaller version as well, more for "end table" usage! *eyes her 60cm x 60cm cushions* (60cm is just under 24", btw)
I like!
Brown herringbone love!
I like this.
The problem for me is it would cost more to DIY than to buy it, I just don't have all those tools and items laying around to make something like this.
Don't you lose your coffee table when you need to use the floor cushions as floor cushions? Which is probably when you'd really need the coffee table.
You'd need to create some sort of frame/table top that encircles the cushions, to not lose the table.
Doesn't PB teen sell a frame like that?
i LOVE this idea. but I forsee a problem.
i used to have an old 70s "ottoman" that was just this: pillows stacked on a platform. unfortunately, the pillows would keep sliding about when someone sat on it., making it an awkward and uncomfortable seat. does anyone have any ideas on how to avoid this situation?
My jaw just dropped.
littlemouse- velcro?
perhaps small velcro tabs or flaps stitched onto the cushions?
yea, i'd thought of the velcro, but it just seemed like it would be unsightly when the cushions were being used on the floor. but i think maybe using fabric (the the tweed above) that has some traction might help. i think the platform itself prolly also needs to have a lip so as to reduce slippage.
Love the ottoman! They really are such a versatile piece to include in a living room. It can be used as a table, extra seating, game area...
So I have the original article in DIY magazine. The young daughters (and maybe a dog) used the ottoman pillows as floor pillows. The designer was Jeni Hipipre-Wright. There is also a really neat photo cube project. I just edited my magazine collection, but this one I couldn't throw out!
Hilpipre-Wright, sorry.
Look here for instructions from Blueprint magazine,
http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/blueprint/2008/01/ottoman-empire.html