How can I upcycle a leather ottoman?

Rho17236726
by Rho17236726

Ots 4x4 and the leather is peeling How can i make it wayerproof for my deck?


  18 answers
  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on Mar 21, 2020

    Unfortunately I wouldn't! That would probably just fall apart. Do you know what the ottoman is constructed with underneath all the padding. is there particle wood in there. Or cardboard? If it is an indoor ottoman, chances are the wood is not cedar, or they didn't use outdoor composite boards that would make this waterproof. There Is a waterproof fabric paint spray that you can paint on outdoor cushions.....


    https://www.amazon.com/Simply-Spray-Outdoor-Waterproof-Fabric/dp/B0188072E0


    But depending on the other materials and that would just paint, protect and waterproof the surface of the leather. When water seeps in(because it will), that indoor cushion is not a waterproof cushion and the construction of the ottoman will not be waterproof as well. If I were you, I would fabric paint the leather to upcycle it and leave it indoors.

  • In my opinion you would need to recover it completely in a waterproof fabric.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Mar 21, 2020

    Hello. I’m not sure I would consider to try to make indoor furniture outdoor furniture. Unless it was in a sheltered screen porch area protected from all weather abuse. I would think it would be a waste of your time and money to try to do this.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Mar 21, 2020

    You can put your ottoman outside if you want to and it will probably last a season or two with some luck, first I would look to see what it is made of underneath. If particle board or an indoor composite your ottoman would be temporary at best.

    You could take off the existing leather from the seams and use the pieces as a pattern. Remake the outer cover out of waterproof fabric. I agree, indoors to outdoors transition usually does not hold up.

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Mar 21, 2020

    You could take it apart and merely use the "skeleton" as a base for building a new one --- with waterproof materials.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Mar 21, 2020

    Hi! One of the difficulties is keeping outdoor conditions from destroying the ottoman. Covering it in a waterproof material is an option. I made cushions for my patio furniture a few years ago, from old pillows. I used them for a couple of years until I replaced them. I bought end pieces of outdoor fabric I purchased at the fabric store in the discount bin. I think it could be stapled onto your ottoman. You want to prevent it from getting wet or absorbing moisture so, you need to be careful to seal it up. I had my cushions get damp a couple of times, but, they dried well in full sun. If your project can't be fully protected outside, consider a cover to put on it after using, like the covers for patio furniture. Good luck!

  • Janice Janice on Mar 21, 2020

    Purchase enough yardage of outdoor fabric (Sunbrella) to make a slip cover over the ottaman and staple beneath to keep it all in place. It will last a long time in outside conditions.

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 21, 2020

    JoAnns fabrics has a decent selection of outdoor/water proof material but it isn't cheap. Not only do you need to make a water proof slip cover of sorts but you need to keep in mind that water from the deck itself could be a problem also. This will give you a season or 2 but will not make it totally water proof.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Mar 22, 2020

    Most fabrics sold as 'outdoor' fabrics are not waterproof, only water resistant. Sunbrella brand fabrics are manufactured with fibres that have been treated to be more fade resistant in the sunshine compared with untreated materials. They are not all waterproof.


    The best waterproof fabrics that can be sewn into a new cover for the ottoman are Gor-tex (very pricey) and thick vinyl, such as for automotive and boating seats (difficult to sew).


    However, water will still find its way to the inside, causing mildew buildup and rotting eventually, through the seams and stitching.

    Manually applying seam sealant (product examples below) to the stitching lines and seams will help prevent this.


    High end rain wear and camping gear is usually constructed with zippers and seams having been pretreated.

  • Pop Goes The Weasel Pop Goes The Weasel on Mar 22, 2020

    Take it to your nearest garbage tip

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Mar 22, 2020

    You can use a shower curtain to make an ottoman cover.

  • Maura White Maura White on Mar 22, 2020

    How about recovering it with a faux waterproof leather?

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Mar 24, 2020

    You can use outdoor fabric as suggested but the interior should also be weather proof foam. Also the wooden parts need to be relied with waterproof glue. It would Intel basically taking it all apart and start from scratch. It will cost more than buying one made for outdoors.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 25, 2020

    Hello there,

    If the leather fabric is peeling off, then you could remove all of it to reveal the fabric underneath. This might be time consuming and messy /dusty, but can be done. Remove all trapped buts using an old stiff toothbrush. Paint the fabric with paint. Either use chalk paint or eggshell and or gloss. Use a Polyurethane Varnish or Mod Podge if required. If you don't like it when finished, you haven't lost anything as you can recover it using Waterproof fabric or maybe a shower curtain..........Best wishes

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Mar 25, 2020

    Go to Michael’s crafts and get a fabric that you like and make a cover to go over the whole thing then scotch gard the whole cover like 2 times that should do it

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Dec 31, 2020

    Here is some ideas https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?rs=ac&len=2&q=ottoman%20makeover%20ideas&eq=ottoman%20makeover%20idea&etslf=7077&term_meta[]=ottoman%7Cautocomplete%7C0&term_meta[]=makeover%7Cautocomplete%7C0&term_meta[]=ideas%7Cautocomplete%7C0

  • Deb K Deb K on Jun 05, 2021

    Hello, you can paint it, then put a clear matte finish over the paint, you will likely need to apply 2-3 coats of the finish to make it really weather proof, hope this helps

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXiX8q3PjJA