Transform An Affordable Dollar Tree Stool Into A Stylish Ottoman With An Easy DIY

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An ottoman is versatile furniture for propping up your feet or holding small trays as a table, and when it comes to styling your room, the right one can add pops of color or texture that complete the picture. But instead of spending a fortune on a new one or shopping around for the best fit, you can follow a simple DIY from Instagram creator @lizfenwickdiy and use a Dollar Tree stool to easily make an affordable ottoman for your space. To make your ottoman, you'll need a Dollar Tree Stackable Stool Table. The stools stand 17 inches high and come in different colors, though that won't matter since yours will be completely covered. You'll also need a roll of foam, such as FoamTouch 1-Inch HD Upholstery Foam, to cover the sides and top. 

Using the stool top as a template, cut out a foam circle slightly larger than the seat. Then, measure a rectangle of foam to go around the stool. Secure it to the legs using hot glue, and glue the foam ends together where they meet. 

For the outer cover, choose the best material for your ottoman based on the room's style. You'll need a rectangle of fabric that fits around the stool and extends beyond the foam on the top and bottom by about 2 inches. Create a neat vertical joint by folding the edge of the fabric before gluing it down. Glue and tuck the excess at the top and bottom of the ottoman. Next, cut a circle of fabric bigger than the foam top. Tuck and glue it around the edges, and glue the circle to the stool seat.

However you dress it up, you can get a stylish ottoman to spruce up your living space exactly as you see fit. For a warm, textured ottoman, use soft and comforting materials like sherpa fabric, an especially good choice for the winter time. Go luxe with velvet in a deep, rich color, or keep it cool and breezy with cotton canvas. Faux leather is a great choice for high-traffic areas, as it is highly stain resistant. With such a budget-friendly design, you have room to play with different patterns, colors, and designs. You can even upcycle your unwanted top sheet for your ottoman!

To add a bit of boho zing to the design, add piping. Either buy it ready-made, or make your own by stitching fabric around cord. Glue the piping around the edge of the circle before gluing it down. Piping adds a beautiful finish and a professional touch. Pick out a matching beaded trim, and glue it around the bottom of the ottoman. 

If you're crafty, you can add dimension to your ottoman by putting a layer of macrame over the fabric. The design of the ottoman makes it easy to include this additional trim. Before gluing the circle down, glue lengths of macrame thread all around the ottoman. Each thread will need to be approximately four times the height of the stool, depending on the thickness of the thread and the knots you intend to use. When you reach the bottom of the ottoman, glue the ends and trim.