Small Step Stool | Easy One Board Project

I love a great challenge. This month’s theme is a one-board project. I decided to make a small step stool using one reclaimed board.

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Overview

How to make a simple stool: It’s perfect for reaching those upper kitchen cupboards, resting your feet, and adding extra height to a closet. It’s also great for kids who may need a little time out.

Materials

• (1) 2×10 by’6’
• Wood Glue
• (6) 1 5/8 wood screws
• Paint or stain (optional)

Tools

• Saw (I used a sliding compound miter saw; you could use a circular saw)
• Tape measure
• Carpenter’s pencil
• Nail gun and”2” brad nails
• Drill
• 1″8” bit for pilot holes
• screw bit for wood screws
• adjustable combination square

Cut List

• (1) “2” cross-cut (for the top)
• (2) 9 1″2” bevel cut (legs)
• (1) “0” x”4” miter cut (brace)

This photo is of the reclaimed, perfectly weathered one board I chose to use for this month’s Power Tool Challenge. Make a project out of any ONE board.

Cut The Seat (top) of The Stool

Cut the seat/top of the step stool to length.

TIP: If you are using reclaimed wood, double-check for nails.

Cut Two Stool Legs

You will need two (9 1″2”)  legs cut at a 15° angle. Cut the left side of the first leg. Slide the board to the left and cut the other side with the same angle (do not flip the board-lesson learned). Repeat for the other leg.

Cut One Middle Brace For Your Small Step Stool

I cut the middle brace at “0” and trimmed it to be”4” wide. If I messed up the angle, at least I had a spare piece to try again.

Measure Distance For Step Stool Top

I used a measurement of two inches from the edge of the stool on the top of the leg using my adjustable combination square. This will ensure that the left side matches the right side.

Mark Step Stool Brace

The brace has not been mitered yet. Place the scrap piece under the top (for support) and the brace under the legs. Measure to make sure it’s mostly level. Mark the angle. The miter angle is also 15°. Marking with a pencil will ensure that you cut your board correctly when you get to the saw.

Miter Cut The Middle Brace

When you get to the saw, make your miter cut at 15° using your pencil marks simply as a guide.

Assemble Your Step Stool

With your boards cut, now it’s time to assemble your easy step stool! Because the legs are at an angle, I chose to use my nail gun as a “clamp.” I used Gorilla Wood Glue and my Brad nailer to secure my boards until I could secure them with screws. Be sure to use the combination square to make sure everything is equidistant. I shot two nails through the top into each leg.

Insert Stool Brace

Turn your step stool upside down to assemble the brace. Using the combination square will ensure that the brace is in the middle.

TIP: The fresh cut of the brace faces the floor. When you look at the stool, you see the wonderfully weathered wood, not the fresh cut.

Install The Brace

Use Gorilla wood glue and brad nail gun to secure the brace between the legs of the step stool

Drill Pilot Holes In The Brace

Drill a pilot hole at a slant and repeat on the right-hand side.

TIP: to drill at a slant, start your bit upright until you have a dent, then angle your drill bit.

Secure Brace With Wood Screws

Secure with a wood screw, slowly countersinking the head of the screw. Repeat on the right side.

Drill Pilot Holes in The Legs

Drill 2 pilot holes on the inside of the leg and secure them with screws, slowly countersinking the heads. Repeat on the inside of the other leg.

Ta Da! I have a new step stool that will allow me to get items out of the upper cupboards or the top shelf of the closet. Someday, when there are small kids in the family, who knows—it may become the perfect spot for a time out.

Paint or Stain to Your Preference

This easy step stool project only took about an hour to make. It was easy because I made a prototype first. I had ONE scrumptious reclaimed board and didn’t want to ruin it by making the wrong cuts.

Tip: use scrap wood to test your angles if you’re unsure

My inspiration for this month’s project is a Japanese bath stool. I found this listing where it was for sale years ago. It’s very small at less than five inches in height.

Small Step Stool | Japanese DIY Reproduction

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I did a whitewash on my stool by thinning white paint and applying it with a cheap chip brush.

I use this stool in my bedroom.

See MORE variations of this easy step stool here.

My friends have been really busy making their own awesome one-board projects. Be sure to check out what they’ve made.

Scroll Saw Wooden Basket by Kim Six Fix

Small Step Stool by My Repurposed Life

DIY Pizza Bread Board by Refresh Restyle

Do it Yourself Glue Gun Holder by Virginia Sweet Pea

DIY Wood Letter Jewelry Hanger by Designs By Studio C

Easy DIY Picture Frames by Domestically Speaking

Easy Wood Pumpkin Cutout by H2OBungalow

DIY Wooden Movie Projector by Thrift Diving

Circle Back Kids Chair Plans by Her Tool Belt

sharing here: Creativity Unleashed  Thrifty Decor Chick