I wasn’t totally sure this ottoman update would work — but it *absolutely* did!
With two Turkish towels and a roll of Peel ‘n Stick fabric fuse, I gave our old ottoman a fresh, summer-ready look for under $25. No sewing machine, no complicated steps — just a little creativity and a hot iron. You may remember when I brought this ottoman home and decided to cover it in a cozy black throw blanket? Well, I thought it would be fun to lighten and brighten things up for the season, so when I came across these Turkish towels at a local discount store, for $8 each, I knew I had to give it a try!
Why Turkish Towels?
They’re soft, lightweight, and bring in that laid-back, coastal-inspired texture I love. Plus, they’re super affordable. I snagged mine for $8 each and still had material left over!
The Process
DIY Towel-Covered Ottoman Tutorial
1. Trim the Towels
Cut the fringed ends off both towels. These will be used to create the sides (or “skirt”) of your ottoman. I didn’t need to measure since the towel had lines I could follow, but if your fabric doesn’t, make sure to measure twice and leave extra for a hem.
2. Cover the Top of the Ottoman
Use the center of one towel to cover the top surface. Make sure the stripes are straight and the fabric is pulled taut.
-
I pinned mine in place along the edge to keep it removable (but will cover them in the next step)
-
If you want it to be permanent, you can use spray adhesive, hot glue, a staple gun, or a needle and thread.
3. Create the Skirt (Sides)
Take the fringed ends you cut off earlier and join them together to make one long strip.
-
I used fabric tape to connect the 3 pieces—quick and no sewing needed!
4. Finish the Top Edge of the Skirt
To give the skirt a clean, polished edge:
-
Fold over the top of the strip.
-
Press it with an iron to hold the fold.
-
Apply fabric tape, peel off the backing, and press to secure.
5. Attach the Skirt to the Ottoman
Wrap the finished skirt around the sides of your ottoman.
-
I used more fabric tape just along the edge, releasing the paper backing as I went around securing the skirt. And lastly cut a piece of the fabric tape to join the two end piece of the skirt slightly overlapping and pressing firmly to join. You can create a more permanent option by attaching it with staples, or stitching.
-
Take your time adjusting and smoothing everything so it looks neat.
6. Final Touches
Make a few last tweaks—align the stripes, straighten the fringe, and smooth out any bunching.
And that’s all that is needed to get a whole new vibe!
The Best Part?
Because there’s no sewing or staples involved, I can swap this look out whenever the seasons change.
Want to Try It?
All you need:
- 2 Turkish towels
- Peel ‘N Stick fabric fuse
- Sewing pins
- Fabric scissors
- An iron
- Measuring tape (or eyeball it like I did)
If you try this hack, tag me on Instagram — I’d love to see how you make it your own!
