Thrift Store Coffee Table -turned- DIY Tufted Ottoman

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DIY tufted ottoman out of an old coffee table!

Coffee table turned DIY tufted ottoman.
Search that on Google and see how many hits you come up with. A lot.

And here’s another to add to the long list.

Except I’m not going to bore you with a full on tutorial since there are plenty of those out there already.

Coffee Table Turned DIY Tufted Ottoman

DIY Tufted Ottoman BEFORE artsychicksrule.com

Let’s start at the beginning ….with this…

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

It came from the thrift store and was pretty beat up but had really gorgeous woodwork detail.
I had been looking for an old table to turn into an ottoman and this one was perfect!
It had glass in it but I’d already removed it and the framework underneath when I took this photo. (you can see some of the old framework in the photo)

With all that gorgeous detail I decided not to wrap it around the whole top and instead created an “ottoman” that fits right inside the square.

My husband took the legs off and started by creating a sturdy frame for it with his Kreg jig.

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting
He’s pretty handy like that..and that’s a fabulous tool, the Kreg Jig.

Now it’s got a nice and sturdy base…
Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

Then we put a top piece on for support.

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

Which just happens to also be the panel that came out of the back of this “Baker’s Hutch” I created a while back.
(I’m a big fan of saving and reusing anything and everything!)

Underside…

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

For the paint, I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in a mix of Old White/Pure White.
Heavy on the Pure White.  (sealed with Clear Wax)

Take a look at that fabulous detail once distressed.

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

It just pops right out at ya! Totally lost before, in my opinion.

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

Creating the buttons for the top……

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

Eh. Not my kind of project. I’m a bit impatient to sit and cut circle after circle.
But I survived it. lol

Next, we created the pattern for the top/button placement.
(on another piece of board that the ottoman will be made on top of)

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

I used spray adhesive to attach the foam to the board, cut holes for the buttons, and then I started on the FUN part. heh heh
…..using that ginormous needle.

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

I kid.
It was not fun. It hurt me many times. :(
Stoooopid needle.

And after all that work …I didn’t love it. No, not so much.

Real deal here.

I liked it but it was not as “tufty” as I’d have liked.

But no worries, I have a plan!! Well, it’s not my plan because I didn’t come up with it but I’m going to implement it.
Tell you about it in just a bit.

You’re on the edge of your seat, I can tell.

But first…on with the process of sewing buttons on. (Hint: I won’t be doing that again)

Fabric is all laid out and the first button going in! Yay! Only 12 more to go.

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

By the way, there is also batting on top of the foam under the fabric.

So there you have it. All finished! Just… like…that.

Um, yeah, not so much.

It was pretty time intensive and I might have said a bad word or two. (remember that needle?)

But it was very doable….and saved me a ton of money.

DIY tufted ottoman….even though it’s not very “tufty”, I know.

But it looks pretty nice all styled up a bit, even so.
We use it as an ottoman (feet and all!) and a coffee table. Love that!!

Thrifty Coffee Table turned Ottoman - top finished - artsychicksrule.com #coffeetable #ottoman #diy

Did I mention that the “fabric” is actually a drop cloth from Lowe’s? $6.99, I think it was.

Look, drop cloth under….drop cloth over.
Not the same one obviously.
One of them has had some real drop cloth use!

Coffee Table turned Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #makeover #ottoman #diy

You can see this ottoman “in action” in my Holiday Home Tour …here.

The little box on top is also a thrift store find. I painted and added the graphic with a water slide decal.

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

It’s perfect for all those controllers…. that no one ever uses.
You can read about that project here.
The metal tray was painted with Scandinavian Pink because I end up painting everything with it Chalk Paint. Don’t believe it?
Check out this post here… Chalk Paint-It’s Not Just For Furniture.

Want to know about 26 other chalk-style paints?
I’ve got the low down for you right here! >>> 26 Types of Chalk Style Paint For Furniture

So obviously this tufted ottoman has been completed for a while but I’ve hesitated to post about it.
Why? Mainly because I don’t love it. Those tufts aren’t deep enough for my liking.

But as I said, I have a plan. (my husband is always super excited to hear those words… ha!)

My plan is….new fabric (which isn’t too much of a loss since this was a $6 drop cloth) and a totally new tufting technique here.
Let me tell you, that is a big ole smack in the head right there!
I have had one button “pop” since I did this project. It’s not really noticeable, but I know it, so, therefore, it drives me crazy!
(and yep, I used upholstery thread)
But how super smart of Kristi over at Addicted 2 Decorating to come up with such a fabulous solution.
I will most definitely be doing it that way on the re-do.

It’s a total no-brainer. Except it wasn’t my brain that came up with it! ;)
And no more needles!!!! Hallelujah to that.

So, no, this project didn’t turn out exactly as I’d imagined.
BUT it was still a “win” in my book.
And I did get a sense of accomplishment from doing it myself.

UPDATE: Click here to see how I’ve since changed this piece. It no longer has the tufted top.
I removed it and created a weathered wood finish top out of old flooring instead.

PIN it to save it!

Coffee Table turned Tufted Ottoman -DIY Tufted Ottoman before and after - artsychicksrule.com #tuftedottoman #diyottoman #DIYtufting

I’m sharing what I did with this old end table next!!

UPDATE!! See it now, here!!

Want to see even more “before and after” furniture makeovers? Click here.

Have a wonderful week, friends!

xo

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47 Comments

  1. You have the best ideas for furniture makeovers! I love the end result of this project. I’m going to keep my eye open for a coffee table like yours for a future project.

    1. hah! Yes, that stupid needle!! SOOOO glad I don’t have to use it for the re-do!! ;)
      …and thanks!! xo

      Nancy

  2. OH, this is so beautiful. IF you could duplicate these you could sell them for hundreds of dollars. You did an amazing job. Love it.

  3. Nancy, this is AMAZING!! You did a simply fabulous job on it! And what a find at the thrift store…. I never find good stuff like that. Or maybe I just don’t have the eye you have! Anyway, great job! I’m envious! xo, K

    1. Thank you Debbie :) We are enjoying it! My husband is LOVING having a place to put his feet! lol

      Nancy

  4. I love this project! …But know what you mean when you don’t L-O-V-E it. I have to love my projects too. The painted base is great and using a pattern for the button placement was smart. Thanks for sharing..I learned some new things:)

    1. Thank you Wendi! Yes, so glad someone gets it!! ;) I actually bought a pretty yellow throw at Target this weekend and laid it over part of the ottoman. I’m LOVING it! Just a nice splash of color. I think it may stay that way for awhile!! (I have way too many other projects and will revisit this one some day..for now, it’s good!)
      Happy week to you!!
      xo
      Nancy

    1. Thank you Andi! I bought a yellow throw at Target over the weekend that I “threw” over half of the top of the ottoman. I’m loving it! It may just stay this way for awhile as I complete (and start,lol) other projects! ;)
      Happy week to ya!!
      Nancy

    1. Thanks Krista! We are really enjoying it! (especially my husband and son!! lol)
      Have a great week!
      xo
      Nancy

  5. This really turned out beautifully and it has got to be super sturdy, what with it being a vintage piece. Even if you are considering re-doing it, it had to have brightened up your room this past dreary winter. Super project, Nancy!

    1. Thanks Amy!! :) It is very sturdy, yep! My husband made sure it was “sittable”. ;) My teenage son sits on the edge of it all the time. (which drives me a little crazy but that’s what we made it for, right? lol)
      Nancy

  6. Very nice. Can you tell me the width and length of the coffee table you used? I used a drop cloth to re-cover a slipper chair not long ago.

    1. Thanks Christy! :) I found a yellow throw I like and have “thrown” it partway over top of it…for now! The re-do some day when I get back around to it!lol
      xo
      Nancy

  7. I did a tufted headboard that wasn’t tufted enough too. I went back with poly fill and my staple gun . The fill gave more poof and the staples gave more depth. Turned out great and the buttons totally hid the staples.

  8. I just wanted to suggest – to get it to be “tuftier” and keep buttons from popping off – cut out small holes (a small drill bit works to help with that process) where the buttons go. This way you will be attaching the buttons directly to the wood (less movement and play) and the holes will be deeper because of the missing cushion thereby making it appear more tuftier!

    1. Hi Nicole!!
      Thanks so much for the tip! I actually did do that a bit (like the tutorial I linked up to) but maybe not enough. :) I haven’t tackled a redo yet!! lol Too many other things taking me away from it so it’s just hanging out until I get back to it! I’ll be sure to cut bigger circles though! I definitely want it tuftier!
      Thanks again!
      Nancy

  9. Did you happen to notice who made this table? I bought the matching foyer table off of Craigslist a few weeks ago and redid it with a black chalk paint and would die to find the coffee table to match… End tables would be like winning the lottery…

    Love your work!!

    1. Hi Linda,

      I’m sorry, I sure don’t. It didn’t say and I’ve actually recently sold the table.
      Good luck on your search! :) And thank you!!!
      xo

  10. love the feet & design of the coffee table/ottoman. You done a great job; it’s absolutely stunning.
    I never would had guessed that you used a drop cloth for the covering; great idea

  11. Way to go girl!! I like the other option of using screws and washers… schmart!
    You really made this piece sing with the white paint and light distressing.
    While I won’t be doing any tufting work any time soon, I am super impressed with your creativity!!

  12. OMG I LOVE this ottoman. You did a fantastic job. It’s so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Love your posts.

    1. Aw, thank you so much, Lizzy! I’m excited to get busy on the barstools next AND try that other tufting technique! xoxo

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