How to Shorten Chair Legs
Shortening chair legs is a simple project that can be completed in an afternoon with a minimum of effort and only the most basic carpentry skills. When a chair is too tall for a table or desk, shortening the legs is an easy and inexpensive solution that often is preferable to purchasing a new chair. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the difference between the height of the table or desk and the floor, and the seat of the chair to the floor. The seat of the chairs should be 6 to 8 inches beneath the level of the table. The difference between the height of the table and the height of the chair will tell you how much needs to be removed.
-
2
Measure out the amount that needs to be removed from each leg from the ground up and mark the spot with a pencil. This will make a guide for shortening the legs.
-
-
3
Carry the chairs to a garage or outside to avoid getting sawdust in the house. Put on a pair of safety glasses before working with a saw.
-
4
Turn the chairs upside down and cut the legs off of the chairs at the marks already made. Cut in a level, straight line to make sure the chairs will sit evenly.
-
5
Use sandpaper to even out any rough edges on the bottoms of the chair legs.
-
6
Sit the chairs upright and check them with a level to make sure they sit evenly once the legs have been shortened.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Staining the bottom of the chairs can help to keep the shortening unnoticed. Additionally, placing caps or stops on the newly cut bottoms of the chair legs can keep them from scraping a wooden floor.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit chair image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
