DIY step stool (Cheap and Easy!)

Do you need a step stool around the house for the kids to reach the sink, or so you can reach the top shelf. I made these VERY SIMPLE wooden step stools in under an hour.

Below I will provide a wooden step stool plan.

DIY step stool

Using the same method, I was able to make two different size step stools. I will walk you through the step-by-step process that I used. I must be honest, these stools will be used outside so appearance was not important to me. I actually created both stools without having to purchase any material. Everything I used was found in my garage.

Materials and tools you will need

• One-two 2×4’s (depending on size stool you are making)
• 2-4 large door hinges OR straight brackets
• 1 inch screws
• 2.5 inch screws
• 1/8th drill bit
• Drill
• Saw: Miter, circular or table
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Wood stain (optional)
• Kreg Pocket hole jig (optional)

Stool dimensions

Small stool

As you can see in the photo, this step stool has 2 small steps.

• Height: 8.5 inches
• Width: 12 inches
• Depth: 10.5 inches
• Height of first step: 5 inches

Large stool

As you can see in the photo below, this step stool has 3 small steps.

• Height: 12 inches
• Width: 12 inches
• Depth: 17.5 inches
• Height of first step: 5 inches
• Height of second step: 8.5 inches

Step 1: Cut the wood

For this step I used my Dewalt miter saw to cut the 2x4s into the desired lengths. You can use any saw that you have access to (miter saw, circular saw, table saw, etc). Just ensure you make square 90 degree cuts to allow for precise and easy assembly. If you are using a Dewalt miter saw and note the cuts are not square be sure to FIX THIS FIRST.

I had enough wood lying around the garage so I did not need to buy any 2×4’s. Depending on the size of stool you are making, you will need:

• Small stool: 80 inches of 2x4s
• Large stool: 155 inches of 2x4s

Make sure to measure the wood using a tape measure and pencil to mark. I always like to double check by measurements prior to cutting.

Small stool cuts

You will need a total of 8 pieces cut in different sizes (listed below) for the smaller step stool.

• 12 inches: 3 pieces (planks for top of steps)
• 7 inches: 2 pieces (top step support)
• 10.5 inches: 2 pieces (bottom step support)
• 9 inches: 1 piece (back stability)

Large stool cuts

You will need a total of 13 pieces cut in different sizes (listed below) for the larger step stool.

• 12 inches: 5 pieces (planks for top of steps)
• 9 inches: 2 pieces (back stability)
• 7 inches: 2 pieces (top step support)
• 14 inches: 2 pieces (middle step support)
• 17.5 inches: 2 pieces (bottom step support)

Once you have all of these pieces cut, you can put your saw away and move on to the next step!

Sand the wood

Now that the wood is all cut lets go ahead and sand it down so it is nice and smooth.

For this, I used a circular sander and 60 grit sand paper. As I mentioned before, I will be using my stools outside so I was not looking for a perfect smooth finish. I actually found by using a lower grit, it left a little grip on the wood. This was helpful for my son when he was climbing up and down.

If you are going to be using your step inside, or want it to be perfectly smooth you will want to finish with a higher grit. Start out with 60-100 grit sand paper and then finish it off with 200-220 grit.

I sanded each piece down spending the most time on the corners and cut ends. I wanted to prevent any splintering and made sure the corners were rounded a bit.

All in all, I spent about 2-3 minutes sanding each piece. If you do not have an electric or battery operated sander, you can always do it by hand (but this will take a lot longer).

Once each piece is sanded down, you can move on to the next step.

Stain the step

This is optional and totally up to you. It will likely depend on how you are planning to use the step.

You can finish the step a number of different ways. I decided since my step would be outside, to use some stain that I had left over from my fence. I used an old paintbrush to quickly stain each piece of the step.

I figured it would be much easier to stain each individual piece prior to step assembly. Once the wood is all stained let it dry for a couple of hours. I let mine dry overnight.

Assemble frame of steps

Now we can start to assemble the steps. First you will have to make the frame.

To attach the frame I used old door hinges that I had lying around my garage. There are a number of different materials you can use to assemble the frame such as straight brackets.

If you use straight brackets, you will want to make sure that they are long enough to be drilled into both planks of the frame.

If you are looking for a more finished product without screws visible you can also use a pocket hole jig.

Small stool

For the smaller stool you will need 2 door hinges or straight brackets (whatever you decide to use).

Lay a 10.5 inch piece of wood flat on the ground, and place a 7 inch piece on top of it. Make sure that the 2 ends are level and flush against each other.

Then lay the door hinge or bracket on the wood, so the screw holes are on both pieces. Make sure there is enough space between the hinge and the back of the wood (at least 1.5 inches). This space is for the bracket that we will apply in the next step. Using the 1 inch screws, attach the hinge or bracket to each piece. This will make one side of the frame. Once this side is done, you will have to repeat the process for the other side. Once both sides are secure, you can move on to the next step.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: if you are using the door hinges, when you pick up the frame the wood will move (THIS IS OK), we will secure it in the next step.

Large stool

For the larger stool you will need 4 door hinges or straight brackets to connect each piece of the frame.

Lay a 17.5 inch piece down with a 14 inch piece on top of it. Make sure the backs of the planks are flush. Then place the door hinge or straight bracket down so the screw holes are on both pieces of wood. Make sure there is enough space between the hinge and the back of the wood (at least 1.5 inches). Using the 1 inch screws attach both sides of hinge.

Now lay the 7 inch piece on top, again making sure the back is flush. Then apply the hinge or bracket the same way you did above.

Once you have attached all 3 pieces you will want to do the same exact process again for the other side of the frame.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: if you are using the door hinges, when you pick up the frame the wood will move (THIS IS OK), we will secure it in the next step.

Now with both sides of the frame done, it is time to add the support to the back.

Add back support

The back support is what will attach both sides of the frame.

For the smaller step you will use the one 9 inch piece.

For the larger step you will use the two 9 inch pieces.

For the back support it is important to attach the 9 inch piece so it connects to both pieces of the frame (see picture above). The space between each piece of the frame should be right in the center of the back support piece.

The support does not have to be flush against the back of the step.

I used some make shift support pieces to help me stabilize the frame while I mounted the support.

Then, use an 1/8th inch drill bit to make pilot holes before drilling. Once the pilot holes are in place, use the 2.5 inch screws to attach the back support.

For the larger stool you will have two back supports to connect the larger frame. As with the smaller stool, you want each support to be attached to separate pieces of the frame. Make sure that you use the 2.5 inch screws for this.

Once the back supports are in place the frame should be sturdy with no movement. Now it is time to add the planks for the steps.

Add steps/planks to the frame

With the frame put together and solid, lets go ahead and finish the assembly by adding the planks. These are the pieces that you will step on when you are using the step.

For both the smaller and larger step stool you will use the last pieces that you cut that should measure 12 inches. The smaller step will use 3 of these pieces while the larger step will use 5.

Using the 2.5 inch screws, place each plank on the frame. The bottom step will only have one plank on both the larger and smaller stools. The middle step (on the larger stool) and top steps will each have two planks.

If the measurements are correct the planks should be flush with the outside of the frame.

Test out the finished project

Once the step is assembled you should test it out. I wanted to stand on the steps with my full body weight just to make sure the stool was strong enough for my son. Sure enough it was!

Once I tested it out it was time to let my son use it. He uses the bigger step stool to check out our chickens!

Conclusion

This is a very quick and easy way to make a small step stool you can use around the house.

• Gather all the materials you will use
• Measure and cut the wood
• Sand the pieces
• Stain the step
• Assemble the frame of the steps
• Add supports in the back of frame
• Add the steps/planks to the frame
• Test the step out and put it to use

Here is a step-by-step guide if you are looking for a more finished product for inside the house (demonstrates use of pocket jig).

Hopefully this step-by-step outline helped you build your stool easily. If so, I would love to hear about it.