Easy Woodworking Project – An Ornate Footstool
Do you hate to throw away pretty woodwork? If you have any unused rounded fence post caps, here is a woodwork project for you. You can create an attractive footstool with round fence post caps by painting them, attaching them to a wooden top, and covering the top with foam and fabric.
I read in an online article by Clare Miers about a footstool she created with discarded round fence post caps. She said she did not need them for the fence but did not want to throw them out, so she worked up a project for a “fabulous footstool.” This could be used for propping up feet or placing magazines or books in the home.
The first step in the process is to paint the fence post caps and screw them into the footstool top. Miers suggests using a 12” by 16” top, but whatever you have available or would prefer to use will work. Think about what you will use it for and whether or not it will be big enough or strong enough to prop up a person’s feet. The rounded caps can be painted whatever you wish, but a muted color is probably best. The caps are then screwed into the underside of the top with a drill or screw gun to function as the four feet.
The next step is to cover the top with foam to give it a soft cushion. You do this by getting soft foam and wrapping it with quilter’s batting from a craft store. You then fold this over the top of the footstool as if you are wrapping a gift. After smoothing out the corners, staple the quilter’s batting to the wooden top with an upholstery staple gun. Use the staples sparingly until you get the cushion right, then put more in. If you make a mistake with the staples, remove them with a flathead screwdriver.
The final step is to cover the foam with fabric. You do this first by stapling it over the top and legs. You may then cover the staples by gluing a gimp or ribbon over them along the bottom edge of the top of the stool. Then just cut off any loose fabric and the piece is complete.
Using round fence post caps to create the legs for a footstool makes for an easy woodworking project. It is a good way to use an ornate piece of woodwork that might otherwise have been discarded.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:18 am
This is a really interesting article, very informative, a great blog!
August 6th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Hi Chris,
Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. I’m glad you like the article and blog!
Ken