How To Make A Storage Ottoman?

Question

I want to make an ottoman out of large plastic containers. How can I uppolster them to make it less of an eye sore?

Answer 1

Adding to Rawstuff's idea, use some more of the upholstery fabric to drape down over the four sides of the plastic container. Hem the edges and staple one edge of the fabric to the bottom of the plywood top. If you make the side fabric a little long then you can pleat it when you tack it to the plywood. Add cord fabric or fabric piping trim around the edge of the plywood top to give it a finished look and cover any irregularities where the top fabric and side fabrics fold over the plywood.

To make it easier to move about you can add casters to the bottom of the plastic container. It might be easier and more sturdy to cut another piece of plywood to fit the bottom, screwed in place like the top is, and attach the casters to that.

Answer 2

Well depending on the fabric you might first just try adhesive backed velcro, folding the fabric into the open Upside down side of the tub, then using foam pad do the same for a top. The folding/tucking is probably going to have to equate to Hospital corners on bed sheets.

The substance of the tubs and the use/abuse they might endure, might not allow a vey good adhesive hold, though an epoxy adhesive might work.

The usual tub isn't strictly meant to be sat on, and unless the tub is stuffed full that might be an issue?

Answer 3

Take a piece of 2" or 3" foam cut to fit about one inch larger than the top of the container. Glue it down on a peice of 1/2" thick plywood cut to fit the lid, exactly.

Apply your choice of upholstry, so that it forms a slightly puffy edge around the 1/2" plywood.

Using countersink washers, and #8 x 1" wood screws, fasten the plywood to the edge of the lid all the way around, on about a 6" center from screw to screw. If there is a real big contour, you can fill the contour with 2" foam, so that when you place the plywood on and screw it down, it will compress the foam, and protect the lid from caving in whe you place your feet on it.

Answer 4

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