15 Best DIY Ottoman Ideas That Sell Well
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DIY ottomans are one of those home decor items people actually spend money on. They look stylish and make a room feel more finished without costing a lot.
That’s why handmade ottomans sell surprisingly well online and at local craft markets. Some people want extra storage. Others just want something cozy that matches their space. Either way, there’s a market for it.
The best part is that you can make many of these with basic tools and affordable materials. Let’s go through 15 DIY ottoman ideas that people genuinely love buying.
Key Takeaways
- Find 15 DIY ottoman ideas that are actually worth building and selling.
- Learn which styles bring the strongest profit margins for new sellers.
- See real cost and pricing breakdowns for every ottoman on this list.
- Find quick tips to sell your handmade ottomans faster
1. Faux Leather Cube Ottomans
If you want a project that looks sharp and moves fast, faux leather cube ottomans are a solid place to start. Apartment dwellers and first-time homeowners like buying these.
You can make:
- Minimal square ottomans with hidden storage
- Modern black or white leather styles
- Compact footrests for bedrooms or home offices
- Matching two-piece or three-piece ottoman sets
- Tufted faux leather designs for a fancier look
- Corner-friendly compact styles for tight spaces
Time to Make: 2 to 4 hours
Cost Per Item: $25 to $50
Selling Price: $90 to $180 each
Profit Potential: High
Neutral colors move the fastest because they go with just about any room. If you want to stand out a little, try offering a two-tone option.
2. Tufted Storage Ottomans
Most people don't have enough storage, and they know it. An ottoman that holds stuff while looking good is an easy yes for a lot of buyers.
You can make:
- Button tufted ottomans with lift-up lids
- Velvet storage ottomans in rich, deep colors
- Large blanket storage benches for living rooms
- Bedroom storage cubes that double as seating
- Linen or cotton fabric styles for a casual feel
Time to Make: 3 to 6 hours
Cost Per Item: $40 to $80
Selling Price: $150 to $350 each
Profit Potential: Very High
Soft textures and tufted details make people want to touch it before they even think about the price.
3. Farmhouse Wooden Ottomans
Some trends fade fast. Farmhouse decor isn't one of them. People have been buying into that cozy rustic look for years and they're still at it.
You can make:
- Wooden frame ottomans with linen or burlap tops
- Distressed wood ottomans with an aged finish
- Rustic bench-style ottomans for entryways or living rooms
- Reclaimed wood designs with natural imperfections
Time to Make: 4 to 6 hours
Cost Per Item: $45 to $90
Selling Price: $180 to $400 each
Profit Potential: High
Simple rustic finishes tend to outsell the overly polished ones. Buyers want something that looks natural and a little worn, not perfect.
4. Woven Rope Ottomans
Rope ottomans have that relaxed vibe that fits right into beach houses and coastal-style living rooms. Anyone decorating with a light, airy feel in mind will connect with these right away.
You can make:
- Nautical rope ottomans with a classic knotted finish
- Round woven footstools in natural or bleached tones
- Jute-wrapped ottomans with wooden base frames
- Neutral textured designs that blend into any casual space
Time to Make: 3 to 5 hours
Cost Per Item: $30 to $60
Selling Price: $120 to $250 each
Profit Potential: Medium to High
Texture is really what sells these. Buyers aren't just looking for a footrest. They are buying a look and a feeling for their space.
5. Knit Pouf Ottomans
There's a reason these keep showing up in living room makeovers. Knit poufs are soft and they make any space feel more inviting.
You can make:
- Chunky knit poufs in oversized arm-knit styles
- Round floor ottomans in warm sand and tan shades
- Soft cream or grey poufs for minimalist living rooms
- Fun, colorful poufs for kids' rooms or playrooms
- Smaller accent poufs that work as side table alternatives
- Chunky cable knit styles for a more layered look
Time to Make: 4 to 8 hours
Cost Per Item: $35 to $70
Selling Price: $120 to $280 each
Profit Potential: High
Chunky yarn styles tend to get the most attention because the texture photographs so well. If you can get a good natural light shot, these basically market themselves.
6. Bench-Style Ottomans
People buy bench ottomans because they actually need them. A place to sit while putting on shoes or just a clean finish at the foot of a bed.
You can make:
- Upholstered entry benches with simple lines
- Long storage benches with hinged or removable lids
- Minimal wood and fabric designs with tapered legs
- Bedroom benches covered in soft velvet or textured cloth
Time to Make: 4 to 7 hours
Cost Per Item: $50 to $100
Selling Price: $200 to $450 each
Profit Potential: Very High
Longer ottomans tend to bring in more money because they just feel more substantial. Buyers see the size and assume the price is fair. If you can nail a clean finish and sturdy legs, these are easier high-ticket items to move.
7. Ottoman Coffee Tables
Small homes and apartments have made multifunctional furniture a real priority for a lot of buyers. When something works as both a coffee table and an ottoman, it solves two problems at once and people like paying for that.
You can make:
- Large upholstered coffee ottomans with removable trays
- Tray-top ottomans that hold drinks and remotes without a fuss
- Storage coffee tables with hidden compartments inside
- Modern square ottomans with clean edges and tapered legs
- Round velvet ottoman tables for a more elegant look
Time to Make: 5 to 8 hours
Cost Per Item: $70 to $150
Selling Price: $300 to $700 each
Profit Potential: Very High
These take more time to build than a basic ottoman, but the price point reflects that. Buyers shopping for coffee tables are already expecting to spend good money.
8. Cane Panel Ottomans
There's a reason cane keeps showing up in high-end furniture stores. That woven texture adds character to a piece without making it look overdone.
You can make:
- Cane-sided ottomans with solid wood frames
- Boho storage ottomans with cane panel doors
- Mid-century inspired pieces with tapered walnut-stained legs
- Round cane ottomans with brass or black metal accents
Time to Make: 4 to 6 hours
Cost Per Item: $45 to $90
Selling Price: $180 to $400 each
Profit Potential: High
Don't overthink the finish on these. A natural wood tone next to a cane panel already looks like something pulled straight off a boutique shelf.
9. Boho Fabric Ottomans
Boho buyers are some of the easiest customers to sell to because they actively seek out pieces that stand out from the usual furniture store options.
You can make:
- Patterned fabric poufs in bold geometric or tribal prints
- Floor poufs with hand-stitched details for a more artisan feel
- Tassel ottomans with fringe trim in earthy or jewel tones
- Patchwork floor cushions made from mixed fabric scraps
Time to Make: 3 to 5 hours
Cost Per Item: $30 to $70
Selling Price: $120 to $250 each
Profit Potential: Medium to High
A great fabric choice on these is worth more than any finishing technique. That's what catches the eye and closes the sale.
10. Faux Fur Ottomans
These sell well in bedroom setups, glam vanity corners, and cozy apartment spaces where the whole point is to make the room feel soft and inviting.
You can make:
- Small furry footstools in white or ivory
- Glam vanity ottomans with a cloud-like finish
- Soft cube ottomans that double as accent pieces
- Round faux fur poufs for a playful bedroom corner
- Shaggy floor ottomans in neutral or pastel tones
Time to Make: 2 to 4 hours
Cost Per Item: $25 to $55
Selling Price: $90 to $220 each
Profit Potential: High
People buy these purely for the look and the feeling they add to a space. Nobody is sitting on a faux fur ottoman to watch the game.
11. Ottoman Pet Beds
Pet owners aren't a hard sell. Show them something that looks good and works well for their animal and they are already reaching for their wallet.
You can make:
- Small pet ottoman beds with washable cushion covers
- Storage pet benches that hide toys and leashes inside
- Cozy cushioned pet stools with removable pillow tops
- Hidden pet bed furniture that blends into the living room
Time to Make: 3 to 5 hours
Cost Per Item: $35 to $70
Selling Price: $130 to $280 each
Profit Potential: High
Custom pet items sell at a premium because the emotional value is built right in. Add a name and buyers will pay more without batting an eye.
12. Ottoman Window Benches
A window bench can make a room look like it has a custom renovation without touching a single wall. Buyers know that and they are willing to pay for that kind of impact.
You can make:
- Storage window benches with hinged lid compartments
- Reading nook seating with a thick cushioned top
- Built-in style ottomans that sit flush against a wall
- Farmhouse window benches with beadboard panel sides
- Narrow window benches for tight spaces or small apartments
- Corner window bench designs that wrap around bay windows
Time to Make: 5 to 8 hours
Cost Per Item: $70 to $140
Selling Price: $300 to $700 each
Profit Potential: Very High
Storage and style in one piece is a hard combo to pass up, especially for buyers working with limited space. That's what keeps these in the higher price range.
13. Outdoor Patio Ottomans
Outdoor furniture is a seasonal goldmine. When spring rolls around, buyers are ready to spend and patio ottomans are usually on the list.
You can make:
- Waterproof patio ottomans with UV-resistant fabric covers
- Outdoor poufs in bright, summery patterns
- Poolside footrests with quick-dry foam filling
- Weather-resistant storage ottomans for garden tools or pool accessories
- Rope or wicker-style outdoor ottomans with metal frames
Time to Make: 3 to 6 hours
Cost Per Item: $40 to $90
Selling Price: $150 to $350 each
Profit Potential: High
Cheap outdoor fabric is a shortcut that costs you more in the long run. Get the right material from the start and your stuff will last long enough to build a real reputation.
14. Denim Patchwork Ottomans
These ottomans are basically upcycling at its best. Old jeans get a second life and buyers get something unique that they can't find in any regular furniture store.
You can make:
- Recycled denim poufs stitched together from old jeans
- Patchwork floor cushions in mixed denim washes and shades
- Rustic denim benches with wooden legs for a casual farmhouse feel
- Upcycled jean ottomans with visible stitching for a handmade look
- Denim and canvas mixed ottomans for added texture and contrast
Time to Make: 4 to 6 hours
Cost Per Item: $20 to $50
Selling Price: $100 to $220 each
Profit Potential: Medium to High
The upcycled story is built right into these ottomans. Don't hide it in the description. Lead with it and the right eco-conscious buyers will find you.
15. Geometric Print Ottomans
Some pieces blend into a room and some pieces own it. Geometric ottomans are firmly in the second category and modern decor buyers love them for that.
You can make:
- Black and white geometric poufs for modern spaces
- Colorful patterned ottomans in earthy tones
- Mid-century modern styles with retro-inspired shapes and colors
- Accent seating pieces that double as a focal point in a room
Time to Make: 3 to 5 hours
Cost Per Item: $30 to $65
Selling Price: $120 to $260 each
Profit Potential: High
A strong pattern makes these easy to notice in a crowded marketplace. Buyers shopping for modern decor aren't looking for something subtle. Lean into the pattern and commit to it fully.
Tips for Selling Handmade Ottomans
Making a great ottoman is one thing. Getting people actually to buy it is a whole other skill. Here are some quick tips that help increase sales:
- Style it in a real room, not against a blank wall
- Offer custom fabric or color options at checkout
- Always list the dimensions clearly in your description
- Highlight storage features as a main selling point
- Price for profit, not just to move inventory fast
- Target specific rooms like bedrooms or entryways in your listing title
- Seasonal listings sell faster, so update them accordingly
- Group similar styles into a small collection to encourage bigger orders
- Reply to buyer questions fast because slow responses lose sales
Wrapping Up
DIY ottomans are one of those products that combine style and practicality, which makes them easier to sell than a lot of random crafts. Start with one style that matches your skills and budget. You don’t need a giant workshop or expensive tools to begin. A few good designs and quality photos can go a long way.
FAQs
Q1: What type of ottoman sells the best for beginners just starting out?
Faux leather cube ottomans are a solid starting point. They are affordable to make and the profit margin is strong enough to be worth your time right away.
Q2: Is it worth offering custom ottoman orders or should I just sell ready-made pieces?
Custom orders are worth it because they usually sell at a higher price. Buyers love choosing their own fabric or color and that personal touch makes them far less likely to negotiate down.
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