How to Make a Stool With Leftover Hardwood Flooring

After installing a hardwood floor, it’s not uncommon to have lots of extra flooring left over. Why not make something out of it, like a comfortable lightweight stool? Here’s how.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 15 feet of hardwood flooring (three-quarter inches thick)
• Table saw
• Miter saw
• Wood glue
• Six 2 inch crews
• Ruler
• Handheld belt sander
• Heavy, medium, and light grit sandpaper
• Wood clamps
• Safety goggles and mask
• Handheld drill
• Screw gun
• Four 1.5 inch L-shaped brackets
• Eight 1.25 inch furniture feet (floor protectors)

Make the sides of the stool

1. Measure and cut two strips of flooring to 17 inches long. Use the miter saw for these cuts.

2. Measure and cut a third strip of flooring to eight inches long.

3. Run a bead of glue into the interlocking grooves of the three pieces and glue them all together. The shortest strip should be in the middle and all three pieces should be flush (even) on one end.

4. 
   Close-up of three strips of flooring glued together

   Clamp the three pieces of wood together and wipe up any excess glue with a damp cloth. Let dry for 30 minutes.

5. Sand the finished side of the glued board down to the bare wood with a belt sander.

6. Sand the grooved side until the raised areas are smoother.

7. 
   A close-up of a section of the side with the notch outlined in white

   Cut notches on both ends at the top. Use the table saw for these cuts. The notches should be deep enough to hold a standard piece of three-quarter inch flooring.

8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 for the second side of the stool.

Make the seat

9. 
   A close-up of the finished seat

   Measure and cut three strips of wood to 16.5 inches. Run a bead of glue into the interlocking grooves of the three pieces and glue them all together.

10. Clamp the three pieces and wipe away any excess glue with a damp cloth.

11. Sand the grooved side of the seat until smooth. This side will be the top of the seat.

Assemble the stool

12. 
    View showing one of the assembly strips in place

    Cut three strips of wood to 15.5 inches long. These pieces will be used to assemble the stool by connecting the two sides together. Two of these pieces will fit at the top of the stool in the notched areas. The third piece will add support underneath the stool.

13. Sand the three assembly pieces down to bare wood.

14. Take two of the assembly pieces. Drill pilot holes through both ends. The holes should extend into the notched areas of the two sides of the stool. Cover the notched areas with glue then use the screw gun and the two inch screws to join the assembly pieces with the sides.

15. 
    View of the third assembly piece in place

    Drill pilot holes through both the ends of the third assembly piece. These holes must line up with holes drilled into the bottom of the short boards in the middle of both sides of the stool.

16. Join this last board to the stool with glue and the remaining two inch screws.

17. Position the seat with the smooth side facing up. Position the stool assembly on top of it.

18. 
    View of bracket

    Attach the base of the stool to the seat with the four brackets.

19. Sand the stool with medium and fine grit sandpaper until smooth to the touch.

20. 
    View of floor protectors in place

    Wipe away any excess sawdust and apply stain or paint to finish your stool. Add floor protectors to the legs.

Tips & Warnings

• Always read and follow the safety instructions for any woodworking equipment.
• Wear goggles and a mask when cutting and sanding.
• Work in a ventilated area when cutting and sanding.
• Drill holes in the center of the two sides for a more decorative look.