Having an ottoman in the house is very practical. During the day you can use it as a sofa, and at night turn it into a comfortable bed. In furniture stores there is a huge assortment of this furniture for every look and taste. But if you want something special, it is quite possible to try to make an ottoman with your own hands. In addition, it is much cheaper than buying a ready-made structure.
Choosing materials
Before you start making furniture, you need to decide on its design. Will you have an ottoman with high or low legs, a linen box, a backrest? Depending on which model you choose, you will need to select the appropriate amount and type of materials.
To make a frame for an ottoman, you will need a furniture board or wood board. The latter will cost less, but the shield is more durable and environmentally friendly. In addition, get some wooden beams, furniture corners and screws.
Preparing tools
For work you will need:
- ruler;
- roulette;
- angle;
- regular pencil for future markings;
- jigsaw;
- screwdriver (preferably a screwdriver if you have one);
- construction upholstery stapler.
Do-it-yourself ottoman: options
Depending on your preferences and the interior of the apartment, you can make a variety of options. If you have children, it would be preferable to make a retractable ottoman-sofa or a separate children's ottoman. You can also remake an ordinary bed for such a stylish piece of furniture. It's all about imagination.
Retractable ottoman
In order to cope with this manufacturing option, you will need to mount two frames. For strength, you can take a furniture shield. But if the budget is too small for such expenses, it is quite possible to use one of the old sofas. It is also acceptable to use wooden beams.
The upper static part of the ottoman is equipped with side walls and stands on high legs. Therefore, it is important to strengthen the frame for this part with several crossbars one and a half centimeters thick.
The lower moving part stands on two legs. It also has crossbars that are attached in such a way that when moving they fall into the gap between the upper bars. You also need limiter bars that are attached to the crossbars.
Plywood is placed on top. Since this will be the base for the mattress, it is important that it is well sanded. You can purchase ready-madea mattress in the store (orthopedic will be useful for the back), but even it can be made independently. To do this, you will need sheet foam rubber and upholstery fabric.
Children's couch
If you decide to make this furniture for the first time, the children's version is just what you need. Buying a new bed every time for rapidly growing children is quite expensive. Alternatively, you can try to make an exclusive version to your own taste. If we assume that the ottoman will measure 1.5 by 0.8 meters, the instruction will look like this:
- Prepare the bars for the frame. The desired size is 3 by 4 centimeters. Attach the metal corners and screw on the legs (you can make them from small blocks or purchase ready-made parts from a furniture store).
- With the help of furniture boards or wood boards, you need to sheathe the frame on the sides. Leave only the top open. Thus, we get a box that is blocked by a wooden beam across. Now the slabs or shields need to be processed from the inside and outside: first, primer, then paint.
- For the back and seat, you need to prepare thick plywood. We cut out the necessary details and paste over with two layers of foam rubber. When the glue dries, the parts are covered with batting. After that, the upholstery of the ottoman will follow.
- The backrest is attached to the ottoman with screws and corners, and the seat is fixed with furniture hinges.
That's it, this is the end of making an ottoman with your own hands. Consider other options.
How to convert an ottoman from a bed?
Sometimes there is not enough money for a new purchased model, and it is simply necessary to refresh the interior. But if you have an old bed lying around somewhere, it will help you get out of the situation. A little skill, perseverance and patience - and your new ottoman will be ready soon.
The process consists of the following steps:
- First, disassemble the bed, remove the legs and backs. If the bed is too old, the frame will also have to be disassembled for parts, otherwise the ottoman may creak during operation. Lubricate the disassembled frame with PVA glue, assemble it back and give a little time for the glue to dry.
- After measuring the details, make a case. Try to choose a dense quality material. Attach the cover using a furniture stapler or glue.
- We return the old mattress to its place if it was originally there (and if it wasn’t, we get a new one or do it ourselves). For the mattress, you will need foam rubber and some more fabric for the cover.
- The backrest must be attached to the frame and marked in the shape of the desired backrest for the new ottoman.
- Cut out the back with a jigsaw. Next, prepare a synthetic winterizer - they need to paste over both the back and the legs of the ottoman bed. Don't forget to make an upholstery cover for each piece.
- Turn the frame over, cover the legs and screw them on, hiding the edges of the upholstery.
- Sew up the upholstery on the back and fasten with screws.
After all the above manipulations, the new furniture will be ready.
Do-it-yourself furniture making
To make a beautiful ottoman created with your own hands, you need to choose the model that suits you, create a drawing and decide on the dimensions. Do not forget to take measurements of the space where the ottoman will be.
Prepare slabs for the frame and some wooden beams measuring 3 by 4 centimeters. After all the preparations, the assembly of the ottoman begins:
- First cut out the details. You will need two side, one front and one back piece. Please note: the height of the front part is lower than the back (depending on the height of the future back), and the left must be lower than the right.
- Assemble the parts by fastening them with screws. Attach the bars as well, leaving about a centimeter on top. Two more crossbars need to be attached in the middle of the ottoman.
- Prepare the overlays that secure the edges of the plate. Use glue and nails. Then comes the primer and painting of the frame (if desired, you can varnish instead of paint).
- Now it's up to the pillows. You will need three seat cushions and three back cushions. Cut the foam to size and make two covers for each pillow. The inner cover must be solid. For the outside, take two hemmed fabric cuts. There should be eyelets along the edges, which are pulled together with a cord. After that, the ottoman, created with your own hands, will be ready for use.
Drawings
If, starting work, you do not plan to make something very complex and intricate (for example, you decided to make a rectangular ottoman-sofa with one back), you can handle the drawing yourself. It is only important to correctly calculate the dimensions. If you are completely new to such matters, or you want to do something more interesting, you can take a lot of ready-made drawings as a basis.
Conclusion
So, we looked at how to make an ottoman on our own. As you can see, the work does not require much experience. However, you must always follow the instructions and not deviate from the drawings. As a result, we will get high-quality and reliable furniture, which will be not only attractive in appearance, but also functional. And the service life of a do-it-yourself ottoman does not differ from that purchased in a store.
