Asked on Dec 13, 2015

I want to make an ottoman with drawers for storage. Any examples?

Karen Hackett
by Karen Hackett
I want to replace my large rectangular coffee table with an ottoman, but I need it to include storage drawers for the "stuff" in the coffee table drawers. I'm not afraid to try to make it, but I am looking for inspiration.
  11 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 13, 2015
    In order for any one to help you pics are needed.
  • Karen Hackett Karen Hackett on Dec 13, 2015
    That's the problem. I know I want an ottoman with an upholstered top and drawers underneath. I don't want the usual box with a lid to dump stuff into, but two or three drawers for better organization. I have some old drawers but really don't know how to design it.
    • Eileen Proctor Eileen Proctor on Dec 14, 2015
      @Karen Hackett Why not get a couple of the bedside cabinets, that are either 2 or 3 drawer ones, attach them together with an up holstered top and voila, a 4 or 6 drawer ottoman !!! :) just an idea
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 13, 2015
    ok so heres my suggestion as I previously stated without pics cannot solve your situation so narrow your question under home talk for repurposing ottomans
  • go to Pinterest and search ottoman with drawers. You can also search how to make an ottoman on this site.
  • Rosanna Sweetalla Rosanna Sweetalla on Dec 13, 2015
    My husband said they would have to be drawers with not much depth. He said to look for a highboy dresser and take drawers from it. They are usually wider and not as deep as regular dresser drawers. He also said that he just cannot envision an ottoman with more than one drawer, he said an ottoman is not very tall as you rest your feet on it and you have to take into account some little legs and a cushion that will go on top....taking up at least 8 to 10 inches or more right there. He suggest you find one drawer that you love and then build to fit(partitions to go into the drawer so that it will have separate storage as needed. Hope this helps. Good luck!
  • Darla Darla on Dec 14, 2015
    I would find a nice drawer of the right size then build the case around it. Don't forget to leave enough room behind and to the sides for the drawer slides! Or you could get a small dresser or night stand with a drawer and cut it short.
  • Pam Pam on Dec 14, 2015
    What about an old dresser cut down, put a plywood top on it, upholster it and add some wheels? If you are just looking for drawers, check your local ReStore Habitat for Humanity resale store. They have lots of odd sized drawers.
  • Any possibility that you can you turn your current coffee table into one? Maybe add a wood base to the bottom, slide in some baskets, add a cushion to the top?
  • LindaK LindaK on Dec 14, 2015
    I'm with EmDirr@DustandDoghair, turning a coffee table with a shelf or a coffee table mounted onto a piece of plywood with a cushion top would make an excellent ottoman w/ storage.
  • Karen Hackett Karen Hackett on Dec 14, 2015
    Thank you so much for the ideas! I will get some drawers out of my storage unit and start playing. My husband is a great woodworker and has cut other drawers down, so his help will be important. I will post pictures when we finish.
  • Ann Ann on Dec 15, 2015
    How about cutting a piece of plywood the size of your coffee table, then add padding and cover with your favorite fabric. Screw on to coffee table from underneath. Then you can change your fabric as needed.