Today’s post is inspired by a cat. A grey tabby, to be exact! Yes, my Kitty Dearest suffered a little injury to his torso last month and found himself unable to jump up onto the furniture the way he once could (shhh–don’t tell anyone we allow our cat on the furniture). What’s a kitty mama to do? I fashioned an impromptu step stool for him, of course. It’s nothing fancy–actually, it’s the small plastic bin we use to store his cat food. What was supposed to be an extra feature in the living room for no more than a few days has turned into a permanent stepping stool for our Little Mister. And it’s not nearly as cute as he is!
I’m in need of a stylish stool ASAP! And I thought this might be a great opportunity for a DIY project, so I’m on the hunt for some good ideas. But alas, today’s post isn’t just about me and Kitty Dearest! I’ve included a variety of DIY stool projects below, from the kind you sit on to the stools that are intended for holding up your weary feet while you lounge in a nearby chair. If you’re looking to add comfort (and extra seating) to your interior, why not add style as well? Happy crafting!
Concrete Stools
Anyone else notice that concrete has experienced a major revival in recent years? And why shouldn’t it?! It’s cheap, and the DIY possibilities are endless. In fact, the popularity of concrete has mirrored the popularity of DIY projects in general, and people are definitely getting more adventurous in how they use this super-accessible material. This DIY Concrete Stool from Feel Desain can be made with minimal supplies, such as a bucket, concrete, and a wooden dowel cut into three pieces. Dip-dyeing the legs adds a special touch!
On a similar note, this Cake Pan Stool DIY involves using a spring form pan to hold the concrete (Quikrete Countertop Mix, to be exact). Instead of wooden legs, piping is the supply of choice. [from HomeMade Modern]
DIY Footstools
Low to the ground and often compact, step stools are the perfect “helping hand” for your little ones, be they your children or your fur babies. This DIY Children’s Bathroom Step Stool showcases modern floral style, thanks to the use of Mod Podge and paper to create an updated surface for an affordable wooden stool. Patterned shelf liner is another fun idea for jazzing up the top of an inexpensive foot stool! [from Pretty Prudent]
A round piece of wood, short table legs and faux fur fabric are a few of the supplies that give this Faux Fur Footstool its oomph. It’s amazing how a piece so compact can pack such a punch. That’s the power of great design and a dash of creativity! Check out the full DIY at A Beautiful Mess:
This Twill Woven Stool from Design Sponge involves paper cord and a willingness to weave. Your patience will pay off when a vibrant dose of texture and pattern is added to your interior with this unique statement piece:
I love the idea of embellishing an affordable wooden footstool with paint. This just might be the answer for my Little Mister and his weary kitty paws. I’m thinking of a sleek modern shape and a coat of glossy yellow paint, but I’m also really enjoying the look of this Step Stool Makeover, achieved with the help of a stencil. Check out all the details at Spoonful of Imagination:
Painted Barstools
On that note, we now move from footstools to bar stools–of the painted variety! Folks, there are plenty of affordable wooden stools at the ready. What takes them to another level can be a simple gesture, such as adding a coat of paint. The trio of custom-painted stools below illustrates this point to colorful perfection. The stool of choice: FROSTA by IKEA. $14.99, plus the cost of paint. Not bad! Check out all the details at Junkee.
Try getting playful with your painting techniques by experimenting with a popular look, such as the dip-dyed effect. This Neon Dip Dye Stool also makes good use of IKEA’s FROSTA stool. For the full DIY, head on over to The Curious Blog.
Reupholstered Stools
Sometimes a DIY project involves a little more than a fresh coat of paint. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and dabble in the reupholstery realm, your patience will truly pay off! This DIY Vintage Stool Re-Cover from Betties N Brimstone is pulled off with the help of a vintage footstool and a vinyl tablecloth. Why not ensure that your upholstery is easy to clean?!
How stunning is this DIY Oil Cloth Bath Seat?! Another fabulous project idea from Pretty Prudent, this DIY illustrates how a $10 thrift store stool can be transformed into the conversation piece of your powder room, especially when the right oil cloth is involved!
Craft your own stool from concrete. Reupholster or repaint a thrift store find. Weave a seat from paper cord. The possibilities are endless! I’m leaning toward painting an affordable wooden stool and embellishing the top with patterned shelf liner. If I pull it off, I just might share the results here on Decoist!
