How to Build a Wood Stool

Hold the 10-by-14-by-1-inch thick board horizontally; this will be the top of a stool. According to 123 Basics in the article, "Build a Simple Wood Stool," have the nicest side of the wood facing up. Position one of the 10-by-10-by-1-inch thick wood rectangles, which will be one side of the stool, beneath the left edge of the stool top so the two pieces form an L. The 10-inch wide stool top should match the 10-inch wide side evenly.

Have another person hold the side beneath the stool top in the L shape.

Measure 1 inch from the back left corner of the stool top toward the stool top’s front edge. From the left edge of the stool top, measure 1 inch to the right. Draw a mark with a pencil at the intersection.

Center and screw a screw through the pencil mark through the stool top, down into the left side board beneath.

Measure 11 inches from the screw toward the front of the stool top. Draw a pencil mark. Screw a screw through the stool top, down into the left side board. The stool’s left side is now connected to the stool top.

Hold the stool with the top facing up and the left leg at the left as if the stool were completed so you can visualize affixing the braces. You will attach two braces beneath the stool top, each connecting to the left leg, so there is a brace at the front and back of the stool. The right leg will be attached to the two braces and stool top last.

Place one brace board vertically beneath the front edge of the stool’s top and against the interior of the side. Have another person hold the brace. The brace needs to be under the stool top, not along the outside edge.

Turn the stool so the side is facing you. From the side’s right edge, measure 1 inch toward the left. Draw a pencil mark.

Draw a vertical line through the pencil mark to indicate where the brace is. Measure down 1 inch from the side’s top edge (not from the stool top, just from the top of the side board). Make a pencil mark.

Screw a screw through the side and into the brace. Measure down 3 inches from the screw. Screw another screw through the side and into the brace. The front brace is now connected to the stool’s left side. You have connected the stool top to the left side. The front brace is under the stool top, connected to the stool’s left side. The stool’s sides also are the stool’s “legs”.

Repeat Steps 6 to 10 to connect the back brace to the stool top and left leg.

Repeat Steps 1 to 5 for the stool’s right side. Repeat Steps 6 to 11 to attach the front and back braces to the stool's right side/leg.

Reinforce the front and back braces to the stool top by screwing wood screws through the top and down into the braces. Measure and screw a screw 1/2 inch from the outer front and back edge of the top, and 1 inch toward the center from the left leg and 1 inch toward the center from the right leg. On top of the stool, measure in 7 inches from either leg, and screw a wood screw through the stool top down into the front and back brace. According to 123 Basics, when finished, there will be three screws through the stool top down into the the front brace and into the back brace.

Sand the stool in circular motions until smooth. Remove sanding residue with a damp sponge. According to 123 Basics, sand the sharpness from the stool's corners.

Spread newspapers over your work area. Place the stool on the newspapers with the top facing up. Wear rubber gloves and use a paintbrush to apply stain to the stool top and all visible areas. Allow the stain to dry for 24 hours. Turn the stool upside down. Stain the remainder of the stool. Allow stain to dry. According to 123 Basics, ensure that you are satisfied with the shade of the stain before proceeding to the clear coat step.

Spray clear polyurethane over the stool. Allow the clear coat to dry for 24 hours.

Cut self-adhesive non-slip pads into four 1-inch wide by 2-inch long rectangles. Press the pads onto the bottom of the stool legs (stool sides).