Transform your living space with a touch of whimsy and practicality! This step-by-step DIY tutorial guides you through creating a stunning, pom-pom trimmed ottoman slipcover. The unique, removable pom-pom trim—attached with Velcro—ensures effortless cleaning, allowing you to refresh your home decor with ease.

DIY Ottoman Slipcover: A Chic Makeover with Removable Pom-Poms

As I eagerly await the arrival of new furniture to revitalize my living room, my focus has shifted to giving existing pieces a fresh new look. Specifically, the two versatile ottomans in the room were calling for an update. These aren’t just any ottomans; they’re truly the workhorses of my living space, offering endless functionality and comfort. While they’ve served many purposes over the years, it was time for a style refresh, and I knew a custom slipcover was the perfect solution.

My journey with ottoman slipcovers dates back to my early blogging days. I previously shared how I crafted the initial slipcovers for these very ottomans, which featured elegant pleated skirts. You can revisit that original post to see the classic design here. A few years later, I even experimented with more vibrant designs, creating colorful covers to match seasonal decor. However, those printed fabric covers eventually faded with washing, prompting this new creative endeavor. This time, I envisioned something distinctly different and incredibly practical.

Initially, I considered replicating the pleated skirt style that had served me well for years. However, my desire for something fresh and a deep affection for all things pom-pom related steered me in a new direction. Instead of traditional pleats, I decided to adorn the new crisp white slipcovers with charming, large pom-pom trim. This choice not only adds a playful, modern aesthetic but also introduces a unique textural element to the room.

One of the key innovations of this project was designing the pom-pom trim to be completely removable. This thoughtful feature ensures that when the slipcover inevitably needs a wash, the delicate pom-poms can be detached, preventing damage and preserving their fluffy appearance. The ingenious method for achieving this is detailed in the comprehensive tutorial below. Furthermore, the base slipcover design, essentially a tailored box of fabric, is incredibly versatile. It leaves open the possibility of adding a pleated skirt or any other trim style in the future, should my decor tastes evolve once again.

The Unsung Hero of Home Decor: My Versatile Ottomans

I purchased these incredible ottomans years ago from Sears Home Store, and they have undoubtedly proven to be one of the smartest furniture investments I’ve ever made. Their unparalleled versatility makes them indispensable in my home. Beyond their primary function as a comfortable spot to rest your feet, they offer low-level seating that’s perfect for intimate conversations. Positioned across from the sofa, they foster a cozy conversational grouping without obstructing the beautiful view of the lake – a crucial design consideration for my living room.

The beauty of these ottomans lies in their adaptability, which I love to leverage by creating seasonal slipcovers. Swapping out covers is an effortless way to infuse new life and a fresh seasonal feel into the living room, keeping the decor dynamic and engaging throughout the year.

In my previous home, these ottomans found their place gracefully in front of the fireplace. Their low profile was a distinct advantage, as they provided comfortable seating without blocking the fireplace’s visual appeal, unlike taller chairs might. Their portability is another major benefit; they can be effortlessly moved wherever additional seating or a surface is required. They can transition from a casual seat to an impromptu side table with the simple addition of a decorative tray. Truly, these ottomans are the versatile workhorses that anchor the functionality and style of my living room, proving that practical pieces can also be incredibly chic.

Should the day ever come when I need to replace my beloved ottomans, I’ve already set my sights on these options. They are approximately 4 inches larger than my current ones, but I’m absolutely drawn to their appealing color and sophisticated styling. It’s always good to have a backup plan, even for your most cherished home decor items!

How to Craft Your Own Pom Pom Ottoman Slipcover

Creating a stylish and functional ottoman slipcover with removable pom-pom trim is a rewarding DIY project that adds a personalized touch to your home. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, ensuring a beautiful and durable finish.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Fabric: Choose a durable, washable fabric that complements your room’s decor. Ensure you have enough to generously cover the top and all sides of your ottoman, allowing for seams and hems.
• Yarn to Make Pom Poms: The type and color of yarn will define the look of your pom-poms. For each ottoman, I used approximately two skeins of yarn to create 16 large pom-poms.
• Pom-Pom Maker: While not strictly necessary, a pom-pom maker significantly speeds up the process and ensures consistent, perfectly round pom-poms. I highly recommend the 3-3/8″ size Clover Pom Pom maker for a substantial look.
• Velcro – One Wrap Style: This innovative Velcro style features both hook and loop on a single piece, with one side being adhesive. You’ll need a length long enough to encircle the entire hem of your slipcover.
• 1-inch Grosgrain Ribbon: Select a color that matches or beautifully contrasts with your fabric. The length should be sufficient to go around the hem of the slipcover. This is primarily for aesthetics, to neatly conceal stitches.
• Thread: Choose high-quality thread that matches both your fabric and ribbon for a professional finish.
• Scissors: Sharp fabric scissors are essential for clean cuts.
• Straight Pins: A good supply of straight pins will help in fitting and securing fabric.
• Pencil: For making precise markings on your fabric.
• Ruler or Tape Measure: Accuracy is key in slipcover making. A long yardstick is especially helpful.
• 16-gauge Sewing Machine Needle: A heavy-duty needle is crucial for sewing through thicker layers of fabric and Velcro without breaking.

New to Making Pom Poms? No Problem!

If you’re unsure how to craft a pom-pom, don’t fret! You can easily learn to make pom-poms of any size using a simple piece of cardboard, as demonstrated in my detailed pom pom basket post. Alternatively, for speed and consistency, you can purchase a dedicated pom-pom maker. These tools are incredibly user-friendly and indispensable when you need to produce multiple pom-poms for a larger project. I personally mastered the pom-pom maker by watching this helpful YouTube video, and I encourage you to do the same!

1. Fitting the Corners: Begin by carefully draping your chosen fabric, with the right side facing down, over your ottoman. Ensure there’s ample excess fabric on all sides. To create crisp, tailored corners, gather the extra fabric on each side of the corner into a neat point. Use straight pins to precisely fit the fabric to the contour of the ottoman’s corner. Once pinned securely, carefully cut away the excess fabric, leaving a seam allowance of about 1/2 to 1 inch. Repeat this process for all four corners of your ottoman, striving for symmetry and accuracy.

2. Sewing the Corner Seams: With the fabric still inside out, take the slipcover to your sewing machine. Sew a straight seam precisely along the pinned lines you just created for each corner. A standard straight stitch is ideal here. Ensure your stitches are strong and even, as these seams will define the shape of your slipcover. Repeat this for every corner until all four corners are securely sewn.

3. Trimming and Notching Seams: After sewing, trim away the excess fabric from your newly sewn seams, leaving a consistent seam allowance of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This reduces bulk and allows the fabric to lay flatter. Next, use your scissors to carefully notch the top curve of the fabric, making small cuts about 1/8″ from the seam line, particularly at the corner’s apex. These notches are crucial; they allow the fabric to expand and lie smoothly when the slipcover is turned right-side out, preventing puckering and creating a cleaner corner.

4. Establishing the Hemline: Turn your freshly sewn slipcover right-side out and carefully place it over your ottoman, ensuring it sits squarely and evenly. To define a consistent hemline, you’ll need to measure the desired “drop” from the top of the ottoman to where you want the trim to begin. For my ottomans, I aimed for a 14-inch drop from the top. Using a yardstick, measure up from the floor around the entire perimeter of the ottoman, marking the 14-inch point with a pencil. This ensures that the slipcover will hang at an equal length from all sides, creating a balanced and professional appearance.

5. Cutting the Hem: Once all your pencil marks are accurately placed around the ottoman, carefully remove the slipcover. Using a ruler or straight edge, connect all the pencil marks to create a continuous line. This line will serve as your cutting guide for the bottom edge of the slipcover. Carefully cut along this line, effectively creating the clean, box-style cover for your ottoman and preparing it for the hem.

6. Sewing the Hem: To create a neat and durable hem, fold the bottom edge of the fabric over by about 1/2 inch, then fold it over again by another 1 inch. This double fold encloses the raw edge, preventing fraying and providing a clean finish. Pin the hem securely in place, then press it with an iron to create a crisp fold. Finally, sew the hem using a straight stitch, ensuring your stitches are even and close to the inner folded edge. This completed hem provides the foundation for attaching the removable pom-pom trim.

How to Attach Velcro to the Hem for Easy Removal of Pom Pom Trim

The innovation of this slipcover lies in its removable pom-pom trim, made possible by a clever Velcro application. I chose Velcro One Wrap for this project, a fantastic product that features both the hook and loop components on a single piece, with one side being adhesive. While traditional two-piece Velcro can certainly be used, I found the One Wrap style to be both more economical and to offer a thinner profile, resulting in a less bulky finish. This is key for maintaining a sleek look on your DIY ottoman slipcover.

1. Sewing the First Velcro Strip: Cut a length of the One Wrap Velcro that is long enough to snugly encircle the entire hem of your ottoman slipcover. Turn the slipcover inside out. Pin this first strip of Velcro to the inside bottom hem, ensuring it’s positioned neatly and evenly along the edge. Using your sewing machine and the heavy-duty 16-gauge needle, sew the Velcro securely onto the hem. Remove all pins. At this point, set the slipcover aside momentarily, as the next step is a decorative touch that will enhance the overall appearance of the hem and conceal the Velcro stitching.

2. Adding Decorative Ribbon: To ingeniously hide the stitches from the Velcro you just sewed, and to add a polished decorative element, attach a 1-inch wide grosgrain ribbon to the hem on the *outer* side of the slipcover. This step elevates the finish from homemade to professionally crafted, ensuring no unsightly stitching is visible from the outside. Choose a ribbon color that complements your fabric for a seamless look.

3. Sewing the Ribbon: Carefully pin the grosgrain ribbon along the bottom outer edge of the slipcover’s hem. Ensure it’s straight and evenly aligned. Then, sew along both the top and bottom edges of the ribbon to securely attach it to the slipcover. This not only adds a beautiful decorative border but also reinforces the hem.

4. Preparing the Second Velcro Strip: Cut another length of One Wrap Velcro, identical in length to the first strip you attached. This piece will be the foundation for your pom-pom trim. For now, simply attach this new Velcro strip to the one you’ve already sewn onto the slipcover’s hem, ensuring the hook and loop sides are securely fastened together.

5. Marking Pom-Pom Placement: With both Velcro strips connected, place the slipcover back over your ottoman. This is where you’ll determine the precise spacing for your pom-poms. Lift up each corner of the slipcover and make a small, clear mark on the attached Velcro strip at each corner point. These corner marks will serve as your guides, helping you to evenly space the pom-poms along the bottom edge of the slipcover, ensuring a balanced and appealing look.

How To Attach Pom Poms to Velcro

1. Spacing the Pom Poms: Carefully remove the second Velcro strip (the one with the corner marks) from the slipcover. Lay it flat on a clean work surface, like an ironing board, to make the next steps easier. Using the corner marks as your reference, determine how many pom-poms you want on each side and mark their positions evenly. For my project, I spaced my pom-poms approximately 6 inches apart, making marks on the Velcro strip at these intervals. This consistent spacing is crucial for a symmetrical and professional finish.

2. Tying On the Pom Poms: Once your marks are evenly distributed on the Velcro strip, begin tying your handcrafted pom-poms onto the strip. Ensure that the knot of each pom-pom’s tie is securely fastened and positioned along the *top section* of the Velcro strip. This strategic placement ensures that when the slipcover is on the ottoman, the knots will be neatly tucked away and the pom-poms will hang freely and beautifully from the hem.

3. Final Attachment: With all your pom-poms securely tied to the second Velcro strip, it’s time for the final assembly. Carefully attach this pom-pom adorned Velcro strip to the first Velcro strip that is already sewn onto the underside of your ottoman slipcover’s hem. Press firmly along the entire length to ensure the hook and loop components are fully engaged, creating a strong and reliable bond.

Carefully place your newly completed, pom-pom trimmed slipcover over your ottoman. Take a moment to adjust it for a perfect fit, ensuring the corners are crisp and the hemline is even. If needed, a quick press with an iron can smooth out any wrinkles and give it a truly polished finish. Step back and admire your handiwork!

The true genius of this DIY project shines during maintenance. When your slipcovers inevitably become dirty, simply detach the entire strip of Velcro with the pom-poms from the main cover. You can then launder the slipcover according to your fabric’s care instructions, without worrying about damaging the pom-poms. Once the slipcover is clean and dry, simply reattach the pom-pom strip, and your ottoman will look fresh and fabulous once more. This removable design is a game-changer for practical, stylish home decor.

I couldn’t be happier with the final outcome of these ottoman slipcovers. They perfectly encapsulate my style – fun, fresh, and undeniably chic! This project proves that with a little creativity and some simple sewing skills, you can dramatically refresh your living space and create pieces that are both beautiful and perfectly suited to your lifestyle.

More Pom Pom Trimmed Ottoman Inspiration

Beyond my own creation, I wanted to share another stunning example of a pom-pom trimmed ottoman, crafted by one of my talented readers. While I didn’t personally make this one, its sophisticated design is too inspiring not to showcase. Isn’t it incredibly chic and stylish? This reader ingeniously crafted her slipcover using high-quality Sunbrella fabric, known for its durability and fade resistance, and elevated it with pre-made jute pom-pom trim. While Sunbrella fabric and specialized trims can be a bit pricier, this example beautifully illustrates the endless possibilities for covering and personalizing your own ottoman. It’s a wonderful idea for those looking for a slightly different texture and a more robust, outdoor-friendly option. This unique blend of materials creates a sophisticated coastal or farmhouse aesthetic.

• Jute Pom-Pom Trim (similar to what was used in the reader’s project)

You May Also Like These Ottoman Covers:

If you enjoyed this tutorial and are looking for more ways to enhance your ottomans, or simply seeking further home decor inspiration, explore these related posts. Each offers unique ideas and practical guides to help you personalize your space:

• How to Make a Pleated Ottoman Slipcover: If you prefer a more traditional and elegant look, this guide will walk you through creating a classic pleated slipcover for your ottoman.
• Make Cushion Covers – The Easy Way!: Master the art of simple cushion covers with this straightforward tutorial, perfect for beginners looking to add a quick refresh to any space.
• Decorating With Ottomans: Explore creative ways to incorporate ottomans into your living room decor, from functional seating to stylish accent pieces, and maximize their versatility.
• Colorful Ottoman Slipcovers: Get inspired by vibrant fabric choices and learn how to infuse your living space with bursts of color by crafting cheerful and bold ottoman slipcovers.