Modern Stool in Little Girl's Pink Bedroom
Decor

How to Make a Modern Wood Stool

I love making things for my kid’s rooms. They love it, I have fun making the items, and it gives me an opportunity to take a risk and do something bold and unique that I might not try in the main areas of my home.

In the spirit of fun and bold, I recently made a bright pink modern stool for my daughter’s room. It was a fun experiment in using a unique modern design and a fun color choice.

Below are the easy steps you can take to make something similar for your own home.

Thanks to Minwax for sponsoring this post. I received compensation and free product from Minwax but all opinions stated here are my own. This post contains affiliate links which means I may get a small commission off any purchases made from my links. It’s no extra cost to you.

Materials & Tools

For Building:

For Finishing:

Click here to find a local retailer for Minwax products!

Time to Complete

This project only took me a day to complete given the easy assembly method and the quick-drying stain!

Step-by-Step Tutorial on Modern Wood Stool

STEP 1: Cut the wood for the base of the stool

Using a miter saw, cut the 1″ x 6″ oak board into three sections, two 14″ long and one 5″ long.

STEP 2: Cut the circle for the top of your stool

Draw a circle on the top of your 1″ x 12″ oak board. The circle should be approximately 11″ in diameter.

To draw a perfect circle, tie a pencil to the end of a piece of twine or string. Hold the other end of the string in the middle of where you want your circle to be. Move the pencil around in a circular motion to draw a perfect circle. Keep the string taut the entire time.

Use a jigsaw to cut out the circle.

Cut Wood for Modern Stool

STEP 3: Sand your wood smooth

Using a random orbit sander, sand your wood smooth first using 120 grit sandpaper and then using 220 grit sandpaper. Pay special attention to the outside of the circle to make sure that it’s smooth in case your cut with the jigsaw wasn’t perfect.

Sanding Wood for Modern Stool

STEP 4: Assemble the stool

The two 14″ boards will be the side legs. Attach those to the 4″ board on either side, creating the base. Use a drill and 1 1/2″ wood screws to attach them together.

Then screw on the top of the stool using wood screws and a drill.

Assembling modern wood stool using clamps and a drill

You could get fancy and use pocket screws for a cleaner look. Since I’ll be using a solid color stain on this, it didn’t matter if I used pocket screws or not. If you are using a more transparent color stain, pocket screws will be better so that your screws are hidden.

STEP 5: Use wood filler to cover your screw holes

Use stainable wood filler to fill in your screw holes. Overfill them a bit and let the filler dry.

Filling screw holes with stainable wood filler

Once dry, sand them down to be smooth with the wood and use a tack cloth to remove any dust.

STEP 6: Apply Minwax Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to your stool

Using a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush, apply the wood conditioner to your stool.

Applying Minwax Wood Conditioner to Stool Wood

Brush it on and after 1-5 minutes, use a rag to wipe off any excess that hasn’t yet penetrated the wood.

Wiping off excess wood conditioner from stool

After 15-30 mins, lightly sand the surface with 220 grit sandpaper to eliminate any raised grain.

Sanding the stool with 220 grit sandpaper

STEP 7: Apply Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Solid Color Stain to your stool

Using a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush, apply the solid color stain to your stool.

Applying Minwax Water Based Solid Color Stain in Blossom Pink to Stool

I love this stain! It’s water-based, which means clean-up is really easy. It dries really quickly to reduce wait time when doing projects. Also, it’s really thick and easy to apply. It’s so thick that it almost feels like you are painting when you apply it. It comes in over 200 colors!

After you apply it, immediately (<2 mins) remove any excess stain using a synthetic pad.

Wiping off Minwax Water Based Solid Color Stain with synthetic pad

STEP 8: If in line with your design choice, apply Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Semi-Transparent Color Stain

I chose to create a two-toned look with the Blossom Pink solid stain and a Pure White semi-transparent stain. Therefore, I took this extra step to apply the semi-transparent stain.

Apply this stain using a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush.

Applying Minwax Water Based Semi-Transparent Color Stain with Purdy Brush

Immediately (<2 mins) remove any excess stain with a rag.

Wiping off excess stain with rag

STEP 9: Apply Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish

Using a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush, apply a thin coat of polycrylic. Allow to dry at least 2 hours.

Applying Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish to Stool

Lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper and use tack cloth to remove any dust.

Apply a second coat of polycrylic.

The Finished Modern Wood Stool

Pink Girl's Room with Modern DIY Stool in Bold Pink Color

Now you’ll have a beautiful and unique wood stool! My daughter loves it. She loves sitting on it and loves pushing it around (because that’s just what little kids do! Hah).

Daughter's Pink Room with closer look at stool

You can change the dimensions or colors to make it fit your space and your style preferences.

Closeup of modern kid's stool in girl's room

Interested in More Easy Home DIY Projects?

For more inspiration from Minwax, click here.

Head here to learn how to make a modern console table and wall decor.

Head here for a $5 farmhouse style blanket ladder.

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9 Comments

  • Danielle

    This little stool is so cute! I have a thing for little stools, I always look for them thrifting!

    • admin

      Thanks so much! I love them too. They are just really cute and have so many options for refinishing too!

  • Rachel Little

    This is so cute I love a good polished looking stool to place in my home. Will definitely try your step by step guide for my next DIY project and will be looking out for more posts like this. Thanks for the guide x
    http://Www.livelouddesignyouloveme.org

    • admin

      Thanks so much, Rachel!

  • Heidi | The Frugal Girls

    What a sweet little stool… and I just love the color! Thank you for the easy step-by-step instructions, too! 🙂

    • admin

      Thanks so much, Heidi!

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  • Carol Karl

    What a great little project. I love the colour. I’m also still in love with that wall!

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