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    DIY » Painting » Small Footstool Makeover For Camper

    Small Footstool Makeover For Camper

    Published by Gail | Published September 12, 2018 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    I needed a small footstool for my camper! I really like putting my feet up, especially when seating is too high for my feet to touch the floor. This small footstool makeover perfectly fits the bill for me and for this month’s Thrift Store Décor Makeover!

     

    upholstered vintage small footstoolI can’t even remember where I picked up this small footstool. The upholstered top was very dated, and I knew that I would probably paint it. But it wasn’t until last week that I knew  I would be keeping this little gem for the camper. I got it out of the woodshed and tested it out in the camper and I knew it would work perfectly. While on a recent trip to Nashville I realized that I needed a little something to put my feet on while I work on the laptop. Many stools and ottomans are too tall for feet—but great for lounging with your legs up. But that isn’t what I needed. I needed a small footstool like this  just for my feet-to bring my knees up a little. Does that make sense?

     

    five dollar small footstoolIt was cheap enough!

     

    small stool makeover with paint and new fabricBecause it’s been so hot here, I’ve resorted to working in the basement shop. I apologize for the poor lighting and less than pretty background. Winking smile

     

    *this post contains affiliate links, read more here*

    Remove top from footstool

    step one remove seat from small footstoolI used a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the upholstered top onto the small stool.

     

    Detach old Upholstery

    remove upholstery from stool with pry bar and hammerThe upholstery on this  stool was attached with short upholstery tacks. I used my small pry bar and a hammer to pry the tacks out of the wood, working my way all around the stool.

     

    Inspect Old Batting

    quilt used as battingThe “batting” in this project was a ratty tatty old (and stained) quilt. Many times I try to reuse materials, but there was no way I was going to repurpose this nasty old batting on the new footstool.

     

     

    Determine if original top can be reused

    step stool topAlthough the old top had been repaired, I found it suitable to reuse for the newly improved step stool.

     

     

    Sand shiny varnish finish on footstool

    sand varnished finishThis small footstool had a very shiny finish. I chose to use a 180 grit sanding sponge to remove the shine to help the paint adhere better. I also used the sanding sponge to help remove the sticky residue from the price label and scotch tape.

     

     

    Pry off metal leg glides

    remove metal from footstool feetMy preferred leg glide is a felt round. To protect my camper flooring, I chose to pry off the original metal leg glides. This is a personal preference. You can easily skip this step if you’re okay with the metal glides on your footstool.

     

     

    Paint small footstool with chip brush

    paint small foot stool with chip brushRemember when I said it was too hot to work outside? This painting job was a huge chore. I probably did four coats of paint on most of this stool.Generally I love using cheap chip brushes, but  I chose a bad brush and it was not covering well. After the first 2 coats, I switched it out for a better paint brush. If the weather had been nicer, I would definitely have preferred using my Homeright Super Finish Max Extra for this small footstool project.

     

    Prepare Upholstery Drop Cloth Fabric

    iron drop cloth fabric before upholsteringDrop cloth fabric is very durable and perfect for upholstering footstools. It does come out of the dryer very wrinkled. This is a step you might be tempted to skip, but drag out that iron and ironing board and press the drop cloth fabric to smooth it out.

     

     

    Add batting for new upholstery

    cotton batting materialCotton batting was trimmed to fit the top of the stool. It was folded to the perfect size already, using many layers that barely hang over the edge of the board.

     

     

     

    Trim drop cloth fabric to fit small footstool

    trim drop cloth fabric to fit stool topThe drop cloth fabric was trimmed to fit leaving a couple of inches all around. The staple gun makes upholstery go faster than using tacks.

     

    Staple drop cloth in place

    drop cloth fabric covers small footstoolI like to get a few staples in place on all sides, then work my way around filling in with more staples. The corners are done last—stapling the fabric in place—then trimming away the extra fabric on the other side of the staples.

     

    upholstered footstool top with drop clothThe end result of all the tugging and stapling.

    Dry fit the top onto the small footstool

    dry fit new upholstered footstool top on base of stoolOops! How did I not notice that the original top didn’t fit all the way to the edges. I actually had to look at my before pictures to confirm this! Luckily this was just a dry fit and I was able to get the paint back out and fix this problem.

     

    Try out the ottoman (small footstool) in the space

    small footstool for camperSo…. I took it out to the camper to see what I thought. It really is the perfect size. BUT! I think it needs a little something!

     

    happy camper t-shirt as small footstool coverIn all honesty, I intended on using this t-shirt all along. But I wasn’t sure it was going to work. My friend Leann and her husband Frankie gave this to me, but oh my-it’s way too small! Because the t-shirt fabric is thin and very soft, I knew I would have to put a piece of fabric on first. So, worst case scenario I would end up with the drop cloth fabric.

     

    Test fit t-shirt cover for small footstool

    test fit t-shirt on ottomanTo test fit the t-shirt on the ottoman top I used painter’s tape to secure it while I did the test fit. After placing the t-shirt onto the top of the ottoman/stool, I decided that it would look better if it were glazed. I really tried to NOT glaze this project because of the off white paint in the interior of the camper.

     

    Add smoked glaze to white painted stool

    smoked glazeIt’s just such a great compliment to the white-ish paint! I love this smoked glaze so much. It’s different with every paint I use. This paint was fairly glossy, so the glaze tried to lay on top of it. That gave the glaze a lighter touch/look on the ottoman.

    See more great glazing ideas in my post How To Glaze Repurposed Furniture

     

    ottoman after smoked glazeWhile the glaze was still a little wet, I used the chip brush to sort of stipple the glaze to remove brush strokes. That’s really helpful were wood joints meet.

     

    Attach Happy Camper T-shirt to ottoman upholstery

    attach happy camper t-shirt to footstool topApparently I was so busy putting the Happy Camper t-shirt onto the upholstered footstool that I forgot to take pictures. I started at the collar and did a few staples, then worked at cutting the extra fabric away. Saving the corners for last, especially where the sleeves were—I stapled and then cut away the excess fabric.

     

    Attach the ottoman base to the upholstered top

    reattach t-shirt upholstered top to the ottoman baseI reattached the small footstool base to the top with the original screws, lining them up with the original holes.

     

     

    apply felt furniture pads to legs on small footstoolThe felt furniture pads come in many sizes, I chose the smallest circle pads for the legs on this small stool.

     

    small ottoman footstool with Happy Camper t-shirt upholstered top MyRepurposedLifeHow do you feel about the top not fitting all the way to the corners of the stool? Is this normal? Would you have noticed it if I hadn’t pointed it out?

     

    You can see other footstool makeovers here.

     

    how to paint-glaze a thrift store small foot stool with a favorite t-shirt MyRepurposedLife

    I would love for you to pin this project. Sharing is caring!

    Before you run off, please check out the great Thrift Store Projects from my very talented friends! Click the links below.

    Thrift Store Basket Refresh - Refresh Restyle

    Copper and Burgundy Mercury Glass - Domestically Speaking

    DIY Wall Art from Repurposed Architectural Salvage - Sadie Seasongoods

    Small Footstool Makeover for Camper - My Repurposed Life

    Repurposed Vintage Snack Set - House of Hawthornes

    Embroidery Hoop Wreath - Our Southern Home

    Rooster Lamp Makeover - Petticoat Junktion

    DIY Magnolia Wreath - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

    Which easy thrift store project is your favorite?

    gail

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    1. Christy @ Our Southern Home

      September 16, 2018 at 1:51 pm

      This is so stinking cute! I just love the font!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 17, 2018 at 9:07 pm

        Thanks so much Christy! We have been giving it quite the workout in the camper.

        gail

    2. Eileen Anderson

      September 14, 2018 at 2:50 pm

      Ah, here’s a makeover I actually did. My footstool was close to identical to yours. The little legs had a slightly different curve pattern and my ugly fabric top was southwestern looking and completely shot. Also my top came hinged with a little internal storage area. Because the brown color of the wood matched my decor and it was in great shape, I simply wiped it down to clean it and left it at that. The top I removed and discarded the fabric. The foam I kept but also added a second piece on top for more cush. I too had the exposed tips at the corners but I wanted to hide them, so I also covered the foam pieces with batting that I folded around all the edges and stapled on. My cover piece was my awesome find at a fabric store. I bought a high end (read expensive) black ostrich skin vinyl that I got half off as a remnant piece. This too was wrapped around the entire top and stapled down just beyond the first stapling line. I screwed the hinges back on and voila, fait accompli, the extra bulk of all the layers puffed out the entire top to cover the corner tips. I had anticipated adding a large single vinyl covered button to the top to give it a tufted look. I bought a self cover button kit and used my ostrich vinyl which turned out great. All I had to do was drill a hole in the wood top from underneath and then thread through that with an upholstery needle to attach and cinch down the button on top. However my husband said to leave it off because he thought it would be more comfy that way for my heels as I intended to use it as a foot rest. So for now that is how it is, although one day I just might add that button.
      I thought your makeover was awesome too. I love the T-shirt and the paint job, so cute! Lulu Mae is adorable by the way, glad to see she uses it as a step. My dog will hop up on mine and take a nap there but only rarely will use it as a step up.

      Reply
    3. Sarah Ramberg

      September 13, 2018 at 7:49 am

      It's just PERFECT!! I can't believe they used that old quilt as batting...poor quilt! You give me hope that I can recover something small one day. 🙂

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 13, 2018 at 11:28 am

        Thank you Sarah. lulu mae really loves being able to get up on the seat with me now. 🙂

        Maybe you can shoot for recovering something within the next couple of months.

        gail

    4. Terri Hughes

      September 13, 2018 at 12:23 am

      The step stool turned out really nice.And Lulu Mae is sooooo cute!!!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 13, 2018 at 11:29 am

        Thanks Terri! I'm still working really hard to get Lulu Mae acclimated to the camper so she can travel with me. 🙂

        she's cute, but a little spoiled. lol

        gail

    5. Maryann

      September 12, 2018 at 10:48 pm

      Ok, that t-shirt is the cutest & perfect for your footstool! I hope your weather starts cooling soon... it's definitely hard to keep motivated in the heat.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 13, 2018 at 11:30 am

        I can't take the heat Maryann. I'm sitting in front of a fan right now, trying to muster up the energy to go out and finish a couple of small projects. 🙂

        thanks for stopping by!
        gail

    6. girlfromwva

      September 12, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      so cute! love it!

      Reply
    7. Kristin salazar

      September 12, 2018 at 11:40 am

      This turned out so great, I love it!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 13, 2018 at 11:32 am

        Thanks so much Kristin. I love easy makeovers.... it's a nice break in between the frankentfurniture makeovers. 🙂

        gail

    8. Pam @ House Of Hawthornes

      September 12, 2018 at 7:21 am

      I LOVE Lulu's video! She's quite the star! Oh, and I also love the footstool makeover. Very creative, as always!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 13, 2018 at 11:33 am

        Pam
        thanks so much for your sweet comment. Lulu Mae was nervous until I brought out the treats. Once she has something to focus on, she forgets about being nervous.

        gail

    9. Camille

      September 12, 2018 at 7:14 am

      Hello from Australia! I’ve popped over from Sadie Seasongoods blog 😁

      Love the colours, the stool came along nicely.
      To answer your question, I would have probably made another top.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 13, 2018 at 11:34 am

        Welcome Camille! I have a lot of readers in Australia.

        Isn't it funny that I see things in photos that I don't see in real life. I had no idea that top was too small. Anyway, it works perfectly for my small camper.

        Don't be a stranger, I hope you find some inspiration projects here on My Repurposed Life!

        gail

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