How to Build a Wooden High Chair

Many wooden high chairs are considered family heirlooms.

Wooden high chairs are a classic piece of baby furniture and many are considered family heirlooms. While many antique versions are intricate, modern wooden high chairs are simple with clean lines. A timeless wooden high chair can be built in your workshop in one afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• One 3/4-by-15 1/2-by-36--inch furniture-grade plywood board
• Two 3/4-by-12-by-26--inch furniture-grade plywood boards
• Two 3/4-by-12-by-14--inch furniture-grade plywood boards
• Wood glue
• Finish nails
• Hammer
• Damp rag
• One 3/4-by-6-by-14--inch furniture-grade plywood board
• Compass
• Jig saw
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Wood finish

Instructions

Building a Wooden High Chair

1. Place the 3/4-by-15 1/2-by-36--inch furniture-grade plywood board on a work surface. This is the chair back. The back measures 15 1/2 inches wide and 36 inches long. Align the two 3/4-by-12-by-26--inch furniture-grade plywood boards on top of the back on each edge. These are the sides. Apply a bead of wood glue along the joints. Fasten the sides to the back using finish nails and a hammer. Wipe off any excess wood glue with a damp rag.

2. Place one 3/4-by-12-by-14--inch furniture-grade plywood board between the sides and up 23 inches from the bottom. This is the seat. Place the other 3/4-by-12-by-14--inch furniture-grade plywood board at the bottom between the sides. This is the base. Apply a bead of wood glue to the joints. Fasten the seat and the base to the sides and back using finish nails and a hammer. Wipe off any excess wood glue with a damp rag.

3. Place the 3/4-by-6-by-14--inch furniture-grade plywood board on a work surface. This is the seat guard. Use a compass to draw two half-circles along the bottom 14-inch edge. These will be the leg holes. Cut the leg holes out with a jig saw. Sand the seat guard with 120-grit sandpaper.

4. Place the seat guard between the sides at the front of the seat. Apply a bead of wood glue along the joints. Fasten the seat guard to the sides and seat using finish nails and a hammer. Wipe off any excess glue with a damp rag.

5. Sand the surfaces of the high chair. Apply a wood finish of your choice. For a durable finish, you can use any indoor high gloss latex paint. Allow the finish to dry according to the instructions on the wood finish container before repeated use.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint the high chair a neutral color so that it can be used for boys or girls. Personalize the chair by painting the child's name and her favorite animal on the back and add a cushion.

• Wear eye protection when woodworking.

• Follow wood finish safety precautions for safe use.

References

• Mother Earth News: The Family-strength High Chair
• "Wood Magazine": High Chair Woodworking Plan

Resources

• Woodwork Forums: High Chair Plans