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Easy to Sew DIY Storage Ottoman

Add some fun and organization to your space with this functional and versatile canvas DIY storage ottoman.

Boy placing a plush ball inside a storage ottoman sewed with canvas fabric

An Easy to Sew DIY Storage Ottoman that you’ll love!

This DIY storage ottoman is just what my kid-friendly family room needed. In a pinch, I’m able to quickly store away the kid’s toys, stuffies and blankets taking my room from cluttered to tidy. You can never have too much storage especially when kids are around. Their belongings seem to take on a life of their own and is it just me or do they multiply? I once heard that cleaning with kids around is like brushing your teeth while eating oreos!

So if you’re like me and always in need of more storage, you’ll love this easy to sew storage ottoman. And for more ideas, check out this DIY upcycled cardboard storage box idea and this upcycled tissue box turned decorative storage box project. Good looking storage doesn’t have to be pricey!

Boy leaning back against the storage ottoman, using it as a pouf to rest on

The nice thing with this storage ottoman is that it doubles as a comfy large pillow for the kid’s to rest on while watching a movie, playing a game or reading a book (a mother can hope!). We chose to hand stamp the canvas since it was intended to hold all the kid’s things but it can be personalized in any way or even left blank.

A canvas zippered storage ottoman filled with blankets, plush toys and pillows in front of a gray accent chair

We partnered with Canvas Etc. to make this DIY storage ottoman. The fabric is 100% cotton and comes in a variety of colors (we chose to stick with the natural finish). The fabric is easy to cut and sew making it a quick sewing project. It’s a medium weight durable canvas so we know it’ll withstand all uses. We used this similar fabric to make our adorable hand-painted canvas Christmas ornaments and this kids indoor tent.

Materials Needed for a large storage pouf:

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Canvas Etc. but all opinions are our own. This post also contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. You can read our full disclosure statement here.

How to Make a DIY Storage Ottoman:

Step 1: Cutting the Fabric

Pre-wash and dry the canvas fabric before cutting. Remove the fabric from the dryer promptly to avoid wrinkles and creases. Otherwise, be sure to iron the fabric before you start measuring and cutting your pieces.

Lay fabric out on a flat surface with lengthwise selvedge edges aligned. Mark the cut lines directly on the fabric using a fabric marker or pencil following the pattern dimensions guide provided here.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

You will need cut two large circles and one long rectangular piece. Divide each of the pattern pieces in quarters as shown and mark the notches. This will be come in handy when you go to sew the pattern pieces together.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

Step 2: Fabric Painting (Optional)

We thought it would be fun to have the kid’s hand prints added to the ottoman since it would mostly holding the kids stuffies, cushions and blankies.

Lay the cut pieces on a covered flat surface with right side facing up. Working quickly and using a medium sized paint brush, apply a good amount of Decoart Multi-Surface Acrylic paint to your little one’s hand.

Have them press their hand down on the canvas surface. Lift the hand up to reveal the hand print left behind and if needed touch up edges or missing spots with the paint brush.

Leave paint to fully dry before proceeding, approx. 24 hours will do.

Step 3: Sewing the ottoman together

With right sides together, align the short ends of the rectangular piece of canvas fabric.

Starting at the top, sew the edges together with a single needle stitch and a ⅝” seam allowance. Sew straight until you reach the first marker, 2” from the start point. Reinforce the ends with back-tack stitching.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

Repeat these steps at the bottom end starting at the marker and sewing towards the cut edge. That stitch will be approximately 3” long.

Press the seam allowance open using a flat iron.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

Place the zipper along the inside of the sewn edge. Align the top of the zipper with the opening.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

Sew one side of the zipper in place sewing through the zipper tape and the seam allowance.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

When you reach the bottom, turn the work and sew the other side of the zipper in place along the other length.

This is how the ottoman will look on the right side when the zipper is sewn in.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

If your zipper is too long, you can cut the ends and then add a scrap piece of canvas to the bottom. Fold over the edge and sew in place to cover any sharp cut zipper edges.

Close the zipper and continue sewing the ottoman. With right sides together, align the notches on the circle piece with the notches on the rectangular piece.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

Sew the pieces together with a 5/8” seam allowance.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

Repeat with the other circular piece finishing the ottoman.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

To ensure edges don’t fray, you can zig-zag the cut edges or use a serger to clean finish the piece.

how to make a DIY storage ottoman

Open the zipper and turn the storage ottoman inside out.

That’s it! For less than $20 you’ll have a lovely, multi-functional storage ottoman for your living room!

Fill it up with whatever’s lying around and then sit back, lift up your feet and enjoy your tidy space. It makes perfect addition to any cozy living room.

Woman sitting in chair with her feet resting on the handmade canvas storage ottoman

We hope you get as much use out of it as I do!

Thank you to Canvas Etc. for sponsoring this post. Be sure to check them out for all your fabric needs. They have a huge selection of designs, patterns and even a print-on-demand service!

If you’ve got the Spring cleaning bug, check out our post on 10 brilliant Ikea hacks to get your entire home organized!

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how to make a DIY storage ottoman

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