Here’s a project we’d been thinking about for a long time and finally completed: transforming two five-year-old side tables from Target into padded ottomans to sit at the foot of our bed. We hadn’t used these tables since our first house, and they were perfect for creating low, cushioned steps for Burger to reach our extra-tall bed.
We started by placing the tables in front of the bed to see how they looked. The color coordinated well with the hand-me-down dresser from John’s parents, and we liked the x-shaped leg detail. They needed a bit more visual integration with the rug, so we decided to add thick charcoal cushions and some foam to make them feel cozier and more like ottomans.
To convert the side tables into benches, we removed the tabletops from the x-based legs. The tops were attached with nails and glue rather than screws, so we used a flat cutting attachment on a Dremel Multi-Max to separate them cleanly. It sounds extreme, but it was the easiest way to free the tops for upholstery.
Next, we added cushioning. I bought 1″ foam from JoAnn (a 50% off coupon brought the cost down), cut it to size by tracing the tabletop with a marker, and trimmed it with scissors so it fit precisely. Then I applied spray adhesive to the back of each foam piece and stuck them to the tabletops. (I did the spray adhesive outside to avoid getting sticky residue on the floor.)
For upholstery fabric we used one yard of dark charcoal corduroy, which was enough for both tops. I cut fabric squares about 4″ larger than each tabletop on every side to leave room for wrapping and stapling. I pulled the fabric tight and started by stapling three staples on each edge at the back to hold it centered. Once I confirmed the fabric was straight and even, I added more staples to secure the fabric around the sides.
Corners were folded like wrapping a present—creating small overlapping triangles for a neat edge—and then stapled securely. The result was clean and padded, giving the tabletops a cushioned ottoman look.
We took the legs down to the basement to sand any sharp edges left from cutting off the tops. After sanding we used a brown marker to touch up the exposed unstained areas so the legs matched the original finish better.
To reattach the legs, we pre-drilled small angled pilot holes from underneath so nails would travel through the legs into the tabletop securely. We used two 2″ nails per leg—eight nails total—to ensure a strong hold. Depending on your table’s construction and weight, screws could be used instead of nails for extra durability, but we chose nails because their small heads were less visible with our legs’ configuration.
And that was it. Total cost was under $12 per ottoman and the whole project took roughly two hours. They accomplish our goal—Burger can hop on and off them easily—and they’re lightweight and versatile enough to move elsewhere if we want. For comparison, we removed an old bulky storage bench that had been at the foot of the bed and replaced it with these slimmer, cushioned pieces.
The tables have held up well: Burger has tested them repeatedly, and I even sat on one without any problems. They’re sturdy enough for their intended use—helping Burger and holding incidental items like laundry. If you plan a similar conversion, consider the weight and intended use of your piece and secure the legs accordingly.
Have you converted any furniture recently using fabric, foam, or paint? Side-table-to-ottoman transformations are an easy way to refresh pieces you already own and add function without spending much. We’re happy with how these turned out—comfortable, cohesive with the room, and flexible enough to use elsewhere if we decide to change things up.
