How to Build Your Very Own Multifunctional Footstool

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Have you the need for a footstool? Or perhaps your existing one just doesn't cut the mustard. Then why not build your own multifunctional DIY one instead?

Hold on tight, we are about to bring our your inner upholsterer.

Like any project of this nature, you'll first need to gather together some materials and tools. 

• Timber or plywood sheets and lengths
• Jigsaw
• Wood crown staples
• Wood staple gun
• Wood glue
• Wood screws
• Screw anchors
• Wood plane
• Power drill
• Silicon or rubber edge trim
• Upholstery foam cushioning (any color, it will be covered over)
• Coring drill bits
• Countersink drill bits
• Wood gloss (colorless or otherwise)
• Upholstery sewing kit and dimple buttons

The first stage is to mark out the main wooden components on the wood. Pencils and metal rulers are invaluable tools for this stage. 

With the main wooden components measured out, the next stage is to cut out the shapes using a jigsaw. This is a critical phase, and anyone attempting this at home needs to take great care. 

"Measure twice, cut once," is always a good approach. Also, be careful to keep your fleshy bits well out of the way of the cutting blade!

For repetitive sections, like legs, etc, you can measure out a single piece and use it as a template for others. 

With the wooden sections cut out, the next stage is to begin the construction of the footstool. You can use screws or nails, but this creator has also opted for wood staples. 

Glue and staple the various components together to make each section of the footstool, as shown in the video. In this case, the footstool is a roughly cylindrical shape, and its construction has been broken down into quarter segments. 

With the glue and stapling complete, the next stage is to securely fasten the wooden pieces together with wood screws. 

Screw both ends of the upstands to the base and top of the footstool, as shown in the video. Power tools make very light work of this stage. 

Next, take your wood plane, and level out any exposed edges of the frame, as shown in the video -- primarily on the angled edges.  

Next, glue, staple, and screw a piece of plywood as an outer panel to the completed frame. Trim off any access, as required. 

Now, mark out drill holes at regular distances, as shown on the video. These will be used to attach the outer fabric later.

With that complete, grab your rubber or silicon edge trim and line the bottom and top edges of the frame -- again, watch the video for more details on this section. Cut off any excess, as required. 

Secure it into place using your wood staples, as required. 

Next, add a layer of adhesive (spray or otherwise) to the outer paneling, match up, and adhere to the foam cushioning. 

Staple the foam to the frame around all the edges, as shown in the video. Once again, trim off the excess. 

Now, cut a series of holes through the foam using a coring drill bit, or similar tool. The holes should line up with the drilled holes you made earlier in the frame. You may want to poke through the foam to mark the position prior to coring. 

Now, cover the entire foam with a fabric of your choice. Thread a large upholstery needle with thread and buttons of your choice, and pull some of the fabric through the holes to make dimples, as shown. 

Tie off and secure at the rear. Continue, until all holes are completed. Make sure you pull the fabric as tight as it will go on the surface as much as reasonably practicable. 

Once complete, create pleats by teasing, and folding, the fabric in straight lines between dimple centers. Watch the video for more details on this. 

Now, pull the fabric edges tight over the edges of the frame, and secure them into place using wood staples. Continue until all edges are securely fastened into place. 

Now, cover and staple a smaller piece of plywood, foam, and fabric (and trim where needed) to smaller the other exposed edges of the wooden frame. 

These faces will remain flat, so you won't be adding dimples as you did on the main outer face. 

Cover the foam with the fabric, once again, and staple it to the top and bottom of the main wooden frame. 

Next, cover the larger of the remaining exposed faces with fabric and secure them into place using staples. 

Again, trim off any excess, as needed. Now to make the cushioning for the top of the footstool.

Take two more cuts of wood the same footprint size as the main body. 

Drill a series of holes along the edge, and add screws and plastic anchors/plugs, as shown in the video. 

Now, add spray glue to the flat surfaces, lay glue-side down on a sheet of foam, and cut around the wooden sections, as shown in the video. 

Now, mount the pieces, foam-side down, on pieces of matching fabric, trim the edges, and secure, tightly, to the wood using staples. 

Next, place the completed end cushions onto the exposed wooden edges on the main body. Mark out the positions of the screw anchors and drill matching holes to fit (if not completed already).

Now, firmly secure the endplates to the main body. Use something soft, yet firm, like your fists. 

With that, the main body pieces of the footstool are complete. Now to turn out attention to making some feet. 

Cut out small, equally-sized, cubes of wood of your choice. Angle the edges, if desired. 

Now, countersink shallow holes in the very center of each foot. 

Now, gloss, paint, or seal, each exposed surface of the feet. Leave to dry completely. 

Screw the feet to each "corner" of the base of the footstool. Watch the video for more details, if required.

With that, your DIY footstool is now complete. Now put your feet up, you've earned it!