How to Build a Shaker Style Footstool

Shaker-style footstools have a simple form that gives them their distinctive look. Basic, thin legs support a plain wood or woven top with sideboards around the top between the legs. These footstools are generally kept in a natural wood appearance using stain rather than paint. Relatively easy to assemble and disassemble, these footstools can be broken down for moving. They can be made to any size of height, length or width and can even be upholstered if desired.

Things You'll Need

• Plywood board, ½ -by-11 1/2-by-11 1/2-inches
• 4 posts, 1-by-1-by-12-inches
• Drill
• Drill bits
• Wood screws, 1 1/4-inch
• Side boards, 1/2-by-2-by-9 1/2-inches
• Glue
• Clamps
• Hardwood board, 1-by-12-by-12-inches

Instructions

1. Position four 1-by-1-by-12-inch posts upright underneath a 1/2-by-11 1/2-by-11 1/2-inch board. Arrange the posts, which are the footstool legs, so that they are exactly in the corners of the board, which is the support board. Drill down through the support board and into each leg, making four holes in all. Attach the support board to the legs using 1 1/4-inch wood screws.

2. Hold a 1/2-by-2-by-9 1/2-inch board, which will be the sideboard, in place between a pair of footstool legs, pressed up against the support board with its long, thin side. Drill two holes down through the support board and into the sideboard. Apply glue to each end of the sideboards. Attach the sideboard to the support board with 1 1/4-inch wood screws. Repeat for the other three sideboards. Clamp the sideboards in place and allow four hours for the glue to dry.

3. Set a 1-by-12-by-12-inch hardwood board, which will be the footstool top, upside down on the working surface. Place the assembled footstool frame upside down on top of the footstool top. Drill four evenly spaced holes through the support board in the frame, and into the footstool top. Attach the frame to the footstool top using 1 1/4-inch wood screws.

Tips & Warnings

• Stain the footstool if desired following assembly by coating it with a coat of stain, allowing it to dry thoroughly and reapplying stain. Follow stain with at least four layers of polyurethane sealant applied in the same manner for protection from frequent use.

• Pad the footstool top if desired by covering with a 1-inch layer of foam, stretching fabric over the top and stapling to the footstool top before the support board has been attached in order to hide the staples and fabric remnants between the boards.