DIY Tufted Ottoman: Coffee Table Transformation

• Old Coffee Table
• Paint and Primer of Choice
• Sander or Sanding Block
• 3" Foam
• Batting
• 2 yards Upholstery Fabric
• Nail Gun
• Spray glue
• 1 1/4 Screws and Washers
• Decorative buttons

1. Start by sanding off the layer of clear varnish from your coffee table. This step is VERY important. If you don't, your paint will not adhere to the surface and you will have chipping paint.2. If your wood is a darker color like mine, place 2 coats of primer ( I used Kilz and it worked like a charm) on the legs of the table. It's not too important to paint the top, as you will be covering the surface with your foam and fabric. Let dry for 6-8 hours.3. Once the primer is completely dry, begin painting your legs with your chosen paint color. I used two cans of Rustoleums Gloss White spray paint. No streaks, no mess! It took me about 3 coats to cover it completely. Let dry overnight.4.Now comes the fun part! Take the 3" foam and lay it on the ground. Place the table upside-down onto the foam. Trace your coffee table dimensions onto the foam and cut out using a sharp knife or electric turkey slicer. You'll want to be sure to cut the exact length and width so that you cannot see any of the table but leave no overhang. 5. Adhere the foam to the table by spray gluing the foam and the table.6. Completely cover the foam and sides of the table with the quilting batting. Carefully flip the table upside-down and staple the batting to the underneath of the table like pictured, making sure that you and pulling tightly (careful not to rip the batting) so there are no wrinkles or bumps on the top of the table.7. Cut off any excess batting.8. Transformation is almost here! Now flip back over your table and place your upholstery fabric over-top the batting. Next part is a little tricky and requires another hand. Pull the fabric taught and on the opposite side, do the same while your partner staples the fabric underneath. Do this to all sides.9.Flip the table (again) upside-down and begin stapling the fabric to the underside of the table. You want your staples to be close together so there is no puckering when you finally cut off the excess fabric. Your ottoman should now actually look like an ottoman! But we aren't done yet! One of the techniques that really makes a piece look custom and high-end is tufting. Tufting however, can be a tedious process. One that I don't often like to embark in, so I've created a short-cut you'll love and will save you LOADS of time.  You're welcome!10. Your ottoman should now be turned right-side up. Begin by mapping out where your "tufts" will be. My husband and I measured equally from the edges but I would recommend that you use a template and then transfer onto the fabric.11. Take your washers and place them back-side up (see photo) on the screw, so that the smooth side will be facing the fabric. If you get washers that are completely flat, this won't be an issue as both sides are identical. 12. Screw the washer and screw into the fabric and foam where you had previously marked for your "tuft". Do this SLOWLY so that the fabric doesn't catch on the screw and rip it. Stop once the screw is firmly into the wood of the table.13.You'll have an outcome much like the picture below. But what about the exposed screw? Fret not, my friends!14. Simply hot glue a decorative button into the hole, covering exposed screw.15. Repeat until all screws are covered. Adorn with colorful tray and decorative accents and you're project is complete!