How to Build a Step Stool

Everyone needs a little help up once in a while, whether it's a young child learning to use the bathroom or an adult who just isn't tall enough to reach that top shelf in the kitchen. A step stool is a perfect way to provide that extra height. Building your own isn't as hard as you think. Use your creativity to build something that's beautiful and useful!

Things You'll Need

• Wood
• 4 non-slip furniture feet
• Sandpaper
• Wood glue
• Screws or nails
• Paint, stain or varnish for finishing
• Hammer or screwdriver
• Table saw (optional)
• Drill (optional)
• Clamp, if available

Instructions

1. Determine your specific needs for height, length and width of the stool. Dimensions for a long, low foot stool may be 5 1/2 by 32 inches for the top, 2 1/2 by 30 inches for the stiffener and two section sized 4 by 5 1/2 inches for the end pieces.

2. Purchase wood that is appropriate to your needs. Once you have your dimensions, cut wood to the appropriate sizes.

3. Sand all pieces of wood by hand using a tough grit for rough spots that may splinter. Finish with a fine grit of sandpaper to make the wood smooth.

4. Assemble the pieces of wood using wood glue and if handy, a clamp to hold them together until they dry. If no clamp is available, lay heavy but stable objects on the wood, gluing only two pieces at a time.

5. Secure all pieces with nails or screws once the glue is dry. If using screws, it may be easier to pre-drill the holes.

6. Add the feet on the bottom of the end-pieces following manufacturer's directions.

7. Apply the finish of your choice whether it is varnish, stain or paint.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on the type of stool you want, several plans are available. They will range from fairly basic stools that are inexpensive to more intricate designs that may require a higher skill level and more time.

• The stiffener is a board that will be attached to the top piece on the underside placed directly in the middle, running the length of the wood to help support and provide stability to the stool. It will also attach to the legs from the inside at the midpoint. If no stiffener is desired, leg braces designed for chairs may be used.

Resources

• Check out step stool plans at plansinwood.com.