How to Make a Footstool

A simple milk crate can easily be converted to a piece of furniture.

You can make a custom footstool to match the decor of your home by recycling a common item — a plastic milk crate.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic milk crate
• Wood
• 4 wheels or 4 screw-on feet
• 2-inch thick foam
• Material
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Spray adhesive
• Drill
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• Screwdriver bit
• Screws

Instructions

1. Cut five pieces of foam to the exact size of the crate's four sides and its bottom. An electric knife works best, but a serrated knife will do.

2. Spray one side of the foam with spray adhesive and press to the sides and bottom of the crate.

3. Cut a piece of wood the same size as the top — the open portion — of the crate.

4. Using the 1/8-inch drill bit, drill a hole in each of the four corners of the crate's open portion. Attach the pre-cut piece of wood with screws.

5. Measure a side of the crate; this will be the size you need to cut five pieces of your material, adding 2 inches on all sides.

6. Sew east side to top and top to west side. Sew north side to top side and south side to top side. Sew along the side seam of south joining to east on one side and west on the other side; repeat for north; joining north to east and west. You will be sewing in from all edges about 1 1/2 inches. This will allow a little give when you fit it over the foam.

7. Using a hot glue gun, apply a cord around the top four seams.

8. Turn the stool over, and using a low-heat glue gun, turn the material under and glue to the underside of the foam. Or if you prefer, you could hem and just leave it loose, for ease in taking it off for cleaning.

9. Attach four wheels to the bottom of the stool if you would like the stool to be movable. If you prefer if to be stationary, attach four ball feet using screws.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on where you want the footstool; you could put a ruffle around the bottom, or a pre-made row of tassels.