Transform Your Space: How to Make a Pouffe with a Cable Spool and Velvet

Discover how to upcycle a cable spool into a plush velvet pouffe with our easy-to-follow instructions.

I WAS STRUCK BY A JOLT OF INSPIRATION when I spotted a small, neglected cable spool languishing in the skip. I knew I could breathe new life into this forlorn object, transforming it into something remarkable. It may have taken me a good year and a half to get around to the task, but finally, it has been reborn as an elegant DIY floor pouffe that adds a dash of style to my home.

My inspiration hit new heights when I recently treated my lounge to luxurious velvet curtains. The leftover fabric from these curtains was too good to go to waste. And so the idea of a velvet floor pouffe began to take shape. This fabric, an ombre velvet in an exquisite Papaya/Raspberry/Loganberry blend by Harlequin known as Amazilia, lends an undeniable glamour to the pouffe.

And, as I’ve always appreciated current trends, I decided to add a fashionable metallic gold band to the pouffe, elevating the luxurious velvet even further.

Creating this floor pouffe was straightforward and affordable, and it’s certainly a hit in our household. The kids are fond of it, not least because it’s fitted with casters that allow them to zoom around our wooden floors. And should their adventures result in a few spills and stains, fear not – the cover is removable and easy to wash, ensuring our stylish pouffe remains as pristine as ever.

I’ve also made a similar ottoman in denim, hacking an IKEA Knagglig.

Make A Velvet DIY Floor Pouffe From A Cable Stool

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Materials Needed

• Small wooden cable spool – I found mine in a skip (dumpster). But I’m sure if you ask your local friendly builder, they will happily pass one on to you as, like pallets, they tend to end up in the skip.
• Dense upholstery foam at least 2 inches in thickness
• Quilt wadding/batting
• Duck tape
• Velvet fabric – I used Harlequin Amazilla
• Iron on metallic gold vinyl
• Iron on hem
• 4 Swivel plate casters

DIY floor pouffe from a cable spool

Step 1: The first thing to do is to screw the casters to the bottom of the cable spool. Even though I had four casters, I only used three in the end as this seemed more than enough.

Step 2: To ensure your ottoman/pouffe is pleasantly plush, apply upholstery foam. Begin by cutting a dense foam piece to fit the top snugly, then affix it securely using glue. Next, wrap foam around the cable spool’s edges. I used a combination of adhesive and duct tape to keep it firmly in place. To complete the padding process, envelop the entire construction with some quilt batting, providing a soft and even surface.

Making The Velvet Slip Cover

Step 3: Now, you only need to make the velvet slipcover. Measure the radius of the top of the ottoman. Then, draw a circle onto the back of the velvet fabric using a pen and a piece of string the length of the radius plus 1cm for a hem allowance. Then cut the fabric around this line.

(As I was using velvet remnants, I didn’t have one piece big enough for the top, so I had to sew two pieces together first.)

Step 4: Measure the height of the floor pouffe and the circumference. Cut a piece of velvet to these dimensions allowing for a seam allowance for both the top and a hem at the bottom of the fabric.

Step 5: Pin the side piece to the round top right sides and stitch together. Then pin the open sides and stitch them closed. You should now have a velvet slipcover for the ottoman; before going any further, turn the cover right sides out and test that it fits. Don’t worry if it’s a bit long; the next thing to do is hem it.

Step 6: I cheated and used fusible webbing and iron to hem the velvet slipcover to the right length. You can sew the hem, but the ironed hem is neater.

Step 7: Finally, to finish off the DIY floor pouffe and give it a bit of glamour, add some gold vinyl. Firstly, cut the ironable gold vinyl with a rotary cutter into a strip about 2 inches wide and as long as the circumference. The vinyl sheet will probably not be long enough to go fully around the ottoman; you will probably need two strips to make the full length.

Step 8: Iron the gold vinyl strip to the bottom of the velvet slipcover according to the instructions that came with the vinyl.

The Finished Pouffe

Even with the gold vinyl strip, the velvet slipcover for the DIY floor pouffe is washable at a cool temperature. The foam I used on the top of the ottoman was so dense it was firm enough to act as a side table. Like most pouffes, this is a versatile extra piece of furniture; it can be used as extra seating, a footstool and a table.

I have a tutorial on reupholstering a footstool with a tea towel. I also have a tutorial for a DIY footstool using denim. Plus many more denim upholstery ideas.

If you have any velvet leftover, check out these wonderful velvet crafts.

Also, there are more ideas for ottomans/poufs on DIYideacenter.com.