How to Make a Pool Noodle Ottoman

Learn how to make a sturdy and cozy pool noodle ottoman using Dollar Tree pool noodles!

Well, today I had a eureka moment. Why not make an ottoman – a pool noodle pouf of sorts?

I had quite a few leftover pool noodles from the summer season and I bought a few more for this DIY. I could have made the ottoman smaller but I tend to go full-in on my projects!

I also had this fabulous faux fur in my fabric stash and I’ve been wanting to make something awesome with it but I only had one yard to work with (measuring 58 inches long x 36 inches wide). Thankfully it was just enough fabric to make my ottoman. If you have an old fleece throw that would work great too.

This DIY ottoman is great for a kid’s room, as an extra seat in the living room or just to prop your feet on at the end of a long day. I do have to tell you that packing tape makes a little scrunchy noise when you sit on it but we love this cozy ottoman. Read more to learn how to make one.

Supplies

• 1-yard faux fur, a fleece throw (or fabric you choose about 58″x 36″)
• 15-20 Pool noodles (I used 20 from the Dollar Store)
• Upholstery Batting (30-inches x 10-feet)
• Clear packing tape
• Hot glue
• A measuring tape/ruler
• Scissors
• A precision knife
• Sewing machine

How to Make a Pool Noodle Ottoman

STEP 1: Cut the Pool Noodles

Use scissors to cut pool noodles to about 15 inches in length. I was able to get three 15-inch pieces from one Dollar Tree pool noodle.

Note: If you’re making a pouf for a small child’s reading nook or toddler’s room, you might want to cut the pool noodles shorter. This will also cut down on the number needed!

STEP 2: Form the Base

Use packing tape to tape a cluster of 6 or 7 pool noodles together. I used a shoelace to hold them together just to get started and taped the sides at the top, middle, and bottom.

Repeat the process and tape two or three noodles at a time to build up your ottoman to a nice round shape.

STEP 3: Add Upholstery Batting

Hot glue cushiony wrap (upholstery batting) around the pouf and on the top. Here, I folded the batting in half to make two layers for the sides and hot-glued both layers together before gluing them to the sides.

I also added two layers of batting to the top. If you have extra batting, add more to the top. You can’t have too much cushion there!

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STEP 4: Cut And Sew The Faux Fur Cover

Tips For Cutting And Sewing Faux Fur:

1. Cut your fur fabric using the shape of your pouf as a guide. Leave a two-inch seam allowance and 3 or more inches extra in length so the fur can tuck underneath the bottom. See the picture below.
2. Make sure the grain of the fur on the sides goes downward, toward the floor.
3. Work with your fabric’s wrong sides together when sewing. I only had one yard of fur fabric so I had to cut two pieces for the side (which meant two side seams). I sewed the side pieces together first, then I sewed on the top.
4. I didn’t use a special presser foot. I use my sewing machine’s standard presser foot and just set it to a wide stitch.
5. You can use pins and clips to hold your fabric pieces together but found it easier just to sew slowly making sure I was sewing through both layers of fabric as I went.
6. Faux fur is messy! To minimize the mess I recommend shaking each piece outside and even cutting outside if you can.

Photo of the Bottom of My Ottoman

I had planned to use canvas fabric to cover the bottom but in the end, I found that I really didn’t need to. The fabric was stretchy and fit much like a slipcover and naturally tucked under the bottom of the pouf.

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MORE HOME DECOR IDEAS:

• 10 Sweet Pineapple Crafts You Have To Try
• 6 Interior Design Tips to Decorate Like a Pro
• Frying Pan Planter Upcycle With A Patina Finish
• 4 DIY Air Plant Holders to Beautify Your Home

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Watch A Video

Link to the full tutorial here –> Farmhouse-Style Hula Hoop Shelf DIY