I 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 three years later.
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Easy One Board Stools assembled using pocket holes
The difference between these stools and the one-board project stool is how 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 worked in an assembly line cutting all the boards, drilling them, and finally putting them together.
Wood screws and Gorilla wood glue are the best options to secure the middle brace.
I used those 1x8 scrap pieces and some odds and end scrap pieces of 2x6s. The length of my boards determined the size of the small benches. I'm a use what cha got kind of girl.
Assorted Painting Options
I whitewashed the 2x8 stools/benches like 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 three 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 love how the paint took to the rough wood.
TIP! Whitewash the stools with thinned-down latex paint. Use the hose to remove some paint if your coverage is too heavy.
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 of 1x's.
I used a binder sheet on this stool 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 thought it would sell.
They are in my booth at Vendors' Village, ready to go to a new home.
I did keep my original stool for my personal use. I love how versatile these stools and benches are!
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Joy
How much do you sell the benches for in your booth?
Gail Wilson
These small one board stools are marked at $20.
Maria
Where or how can I purchase one? Is there a link ?
Gail Wilson
I'm sorry, Maria, they are no longer for sale. They've all found new homes. I'm in Louisville KY.
gail
Cindy
Hi, LOVE the benches! Can you tell me what the angle of the cut is on the top and bottom of the legs. Thanks.
Gail Wilson
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
chris aka monkey
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
Paula
Who can't use a stool in many places in their home? I'll bet that these will sell quickly in your booth, Gail.
Mindi
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!
Gail Wilson
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
Jen
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. 🙂
Gail Wilson
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