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    Home » DIY » Build It » one board stools and benches | easy tutorial

    one board stools and benches | easy tutorial

    Published by Gail | Published January 24, 2017 | Updated November 5, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to make useful one board stools, that are great for that top cupboard, for the grand kids, or an extra place to park your bum. Step by step directions. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #oneboard #stools #benches #easy #diy via @repurposedlifeHow to make useful one board stools, that are great for that top cupboard, for the grand kids, or an extra place to park your bum. Step by step directions. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #oneboard #stools #benches #easy #diy via @repurposedlife

    I basically made these stools and benches like the one board project stool I made a couple of months ago. I let the size of the boards determine the size of the stool/bench.

    Cheap Lumber Bargains

    Do you remember these boards I picked up at Vendors' Village? They were perfect for some of these stools and benches.

    In addition I have a lot of leftover scrap pieces of 1x8’s. You can see them on the top shelf. This is an old picture, but they were still hanging out there 3 years later.

    Shop My Amazon Storefront to See my Favorite Tools and Products

    Easy One Board Stools assembled using pocket holes

    The difference in these stools and the one board project stool is the way I attached the legs to the top. I used screws on the original project, but to make these stools/benches go faster I used my Kreg Jig and pocket hole screws.

    I sort of worked in an assembly line cutting all the boards, then drilling them, finally putting them all together.

    Wood screws and Gorilla wood glue  are the best option to secure the middle brace.

    Along with using those 1x8 scrap pieces, I also used some odds and end scrap pieces of 2x6’s. Basically  the size of the small benches were determined by the length of my boards. I’m a use what cha got kinda girl.

    Assorted Painting Options

    I whitewashed the 2x8 stools/benches much like I did the original one board project stool. The legs on these stools are about 8 ¼”, which makes them almost 10” off the ground.

    See complete directions for cutting these stools in my post One Board Project Stool

    I painted a gray primer coat on all of the 1x stools. I’m preparing to paint the one in the foreground.

    These are 3 stools/benches after the gray primer and various topcoats.

    One Board Stools-All Shapes, Sizes and Colors

    The whitewashed stools are on the left, with a rough sawn board bench on top. I used the rough sawn boards years ago when I built this shutter bookshelf. I really love how the paint took to the rough wood.

    TIP! Whitewash the stools with thinned down latex paint. If your coverage is too heavy, use the hose to remove some of the paint. 

    PIN IT!

    NOTE: you can see how I secured the screw through the leg into the middle brace on that bench. (top left)

    I used one of Angie’s Stencils for this small green stool made out of 1x’s.

    On this stool, I used a binder sheet to print a reversed image, then rubbed it on the stool.

    A fleur-de-lis stencil was used on this whitewashed easy step stool.

    These are the stools/benches I made with 1x boards.

    And these are the ones I made using 2x lumber.

    This is the fleur-de-lis stenciled stool, I really thought it would sell.

    Now they are in my booth at Vendors’ Village ready to go to a new home.

    I did keep my original stool for my own personal use. I really love how versatile these stools and benches are!

    gail

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    1. Joy

      April 12, 2017 at 12:00 pm

      How much do you sell the benches for in your booth?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        April 12, 2017 at 1:22 pm

        These small one board stools are marked at $20.

      • Maria

        April 12, 2019 at 5:25 pm

        Where or how can I purchase one? Is there a link ?

      • Gail Wilson

        April 12, 2019 at 6:54 pm

        I'm sorry, Maria, they are no longer for sale. They've all found new homes. I'm in Louisville KY.

        gail

    2. Cindy

      February 04, 2017 at 12:54 am

      Hi, LOVE the benches! Can you tell me what the angle of the cut is on the top and bottom of the legs. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 04, 2017 at 8:35 am

        Cindy,

        I apologize for not making it more clear that the full instructions for the cutting process can be found here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/small-step-stool-easy-one-board-project/
        One article was more about the building, with the other article focusing on the painting and stenciling. 🙂

        gail

    3. chris aka monkey

      January 25, 2017 at 3:37 pm

      the stools are adorable way better than the plastic crap my grandsons have now, and i am hoping if i do nothing my emails from you will stay the same lol i am not a nerd xx

      Reply
    4. Paula

      January 25, 2017 at 6:15 am

      Who can't use a stool in many places in their home? I'll bet that these will sell quickly in your booth, Gail.

      Reply
    5. Mindi

      January 24, 2017 at 9:42 am

      So cute! I love the stencils on the top, and the white washed look! How is your venders village going? I wish I had a place like that to sell my stuff!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 24, 2017 at 10:09 am

        The booth is going okay, some months are better than others. It's a hit and miss as to what people want to buy. I was there over the weekend, and it was crazy busy, but I didn't sell anything either day. I guess most people are like me and you, looking for junk to fix up!

        gail

    6. Jen

      January 24, 2017 at 8:40 am

      Do you have a tutorial for the binder sheet transfer? From your caption, it sounds as if its similar to a scrapbook rub-on decoration.

      P.S. The stools are so cute. 🙂

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 24, 2017 at 9:24 am

        Thank you Jen!

        I meant to link to the blog that inspired me to do the binder sleeve transfer, but forgot. I had to search pinterest for it, and now there is a link to the tutorial under the image. I tried it a second and third time with no luck. The first time I did it was on this stool and it was perfectly wonderful, but I couldn't get it to work again, and I never figured out why. I believe it was a printer setting or ink problem. Good luck if you try it!
        gail

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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