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DIY wood step stool chair
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Wooden Step Stool Chair

Learn how to build a step stool with a modern look - that doubles as a chair! This DIY step stool can be painted any colors you like.
Course DIY Projects
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Servings 1 stool
Cost $30

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 pieces 1/2” thick 24” x 48” MDF
  • 1 piece 1” thick interior stair tread
  • Wood glue
  • 1 can Paint and primer white
  • Mineral oil with wax
  • 1 120-grit sanding block
  • Sandpaper
  • Pencil

Instructions

  • Using a table saw, cut three (3) pieces of 1/2” thick MDF – one (1) 17”x 18” and two (2) 13 1/2” x 18”.
    Three pieces of MDF cut with a table saw
  • Using a table saw, cut six (6) pieces of 1/2” thick MDF – two (2) 5 1/2” x 8”, two (2) 8” x 10 1/2”,  and two (2) 8” x 16”.
    Six-pieces-of-MDF-cut-with-a-table-saw
  • Using a table saw, cut two (2) pieces from your interior stair tread. Cut one (1) piece 11 1/2” x 17” and one (1) 6 1/2” x 17”.
    Two pieces of interior stair tread cut with a table saw
  • Use a round object to draw a round pencil mark the top front corners of your (2) 13 1/2” x 18” MDF pieces. These will be the side pieces of your stool.
    Tracing a spray paint cap with a pencil to make a round edge
  • Use a jigsaw to round off the corners. Use the sanding block to smooth the edges.
    Two MDF pieces with corners rounded with a jigsaw
  • At the rounded corners, use a pencil to put two dots 1 1/2” from the top edge. One is at 1 3/4” from the front edge and the second is 4 3/4” in from the front edge.
    Placing dots on the mdf with w ruler and a pencil
  • Using a 1” drill bit (and using the dot as center guides), drill two holes. Repeat with the other piece of the same size.
    Drilling a hole into MDF with a one inch drill bit
  • Draw straight lines connecting the two round holes using your pencil and ruler. Use a jigsaw to cut on those lines and form the handle.
    Pencil lines drawn on MDF to connect the holes
  • Sand with 120-grit sandpaper to make the edges smooth.
    Handle cut out of MDF using a jig saw
  • Take the 17”x 18” piece of MDF and glue the two pieces of 8”x 16” MDF to it. Glue one of the pieces flush with a 17″ side, leaving a 1/2” gap on both sides. Then give a 1” gap above that and glue the next board, leaving a 1/2” gap on each side and a 1” gap at the top.
    Two smaller pieces of MDF glued to a larger piece
  • On each side, glue one piece of the 8″ x 10 1/2″ MDF flush with the bottom and 1/2″ from the non-handle side (the back of the stool). Then glue one piece of the 5 1/2″ x 8″ MDF 1 inch above the bottom piece you just glued down . . . leaving 1/2″ gap from the non-handle side (the back of the stool). Each side needs to be the reverse of the other.
    Support pieces glued to the sides with handles
  • Prime and paint both side pieces as well as the back piece. I used paint and primer in one, with a roller.
    Painted white pieces of MDF laying on a work bench
  • Glue the larger stair tread into the bottom 1” gap on your back piece. The stair tread should go edge to edge on the back piece.
    Stair tread glued to the back piece of the stool
  • Glue your sides on and glue the top stair tread in place.
    Gluing the sides of the stool with wood glue
  • Clamp, letting the glue set and dry for at least 24 hours before using.
    glue your sides on and glue the top stair tread in place and clamp, letting the glue set and dry for at least 24 hours

Notes

CUT LIST
Out of your 1/2″ thick MDF (you can organize the cuts as shown above on the two pieces):
  • Three (3) pieces – (1) 17”x 18” and (2) 13 1/2” x 18”
  • Six (6) pieces – (2) 5 1/2” x 8”, (2) 8” x 10 1/2”,  and (2) 8” x 16”
  • Interior stair tread, cut two pieces: one (1) 11 1/2” x 17” and one (1) 6 1/2” x 17”
Step 15: If you have felt, you can place it on the top and bottom to protect your wood floors - we'll leave that up to you.