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Kid's Storage Step Stool

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storage step stools
Difficulty
Beginner Projects
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Children's wood step stool with lift top storage compartment - easy to build with our free step by step woodworking plans.

photograph from RadCrafter

Dimensions
storage step stools
12" tall x 15" deep x 13 1/2" wide

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 53″ of 1×12 Pine Boards
  • 24″ of 1×6 Pine Boards
  • 26″ of 1×8 Pine Boards
  • 2″ self tapping wood construction screws or 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws (if you are using the Kreg Jig)
  • Wood Glue
  • Finishing Supplies
  • 1 Set of standard hinges
Cut List
  • 2 – 1×12 @ 14″ long (Sides)
  • 2 – 1×12 @ 12″ (Storage Box sides)
  • 2 – 1×6 @ 12″ (Storage Box Bottom and Footer)
  • 2 – 1×8 @ 14″ (Treads)
Cutting Instructions

This plan greatly depends on the use of standard width boards, which can vary in size depending on where you live. Please measure the width of all of your boards and adjust the cuts and construction as necessary. This plan assumes 1x6s are 5 1/2" wide, 1x8s are 7 1/2" wide, 1x12s are 11 1/2" wide.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Jigsaw
Power Sander
Drill Bit Set

Instructions

Step 1

Cut Sides Out From the sides, draw the above pattern and carefully cut out using a jigsaw

Step 2

Storage Box Cut a notch out of one of the storage box sides. Attach both storage box sides to the sides using 2″ screws and glue or 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and glue.

Step 3

Footer Attach the footer to the front using 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws or 2″ screws and glue.

Step 4

Bottom With the remaining 1×6, add the bottom to the step stool. Attach from all sides with glue and screws.

Step 5

Project Type
Kids Tables and Chairs
Room
Bathroom
Bedroom
Kids and Toys
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

anabenet (not verified)

Thu, 09/09/2010 - 03:52

I've been wanting some steps like these for the kids for a while! They make for great time out chairs. LOL Thanks for posting these.

Jess (not verified)

Thu, 09/09/2010 - 03:57

Thanks so much! I've been wanting one of these forever but they're so expensive for something you're going to put your feet on. You're amazing!

Leah (not verified)

Thu, 09/09/2010 - 04:17

I can't click the 'like' button, but i do :)

Isn't it funny how you post plans just as we're looking at their retail counterparts? :)

becwilson (not verified)

Fri, 09/10/2010 - 05:51

Ana, so cool! I had plans drawn up for something similar, but was intimidated...the storage was drawers. This is so much easier! Thank you!!!

Niki (not verified)

Mon, 11/15/2010 - 21:28

OK, I've built this and it turned out great. I love it, it went together SO nicely. I didn't have any 1x6 scrap, and I didn't want to buy one for 24" So I just made sure I bought a 1x12 a little longer. The measurements are slightly off in the plans. The 1x12 pieces for the storage box aren't actually 12" wide (11 1/4 to 11 1/2 depending on lumber supplier) So if you are using a 1x6 for the toe kick and the bottom of the storage box, you will need to the length to match the width of the 1x12.

I posted a picture on the facebook site.

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 04/06/2011 - 13:51

On the 1 x8 the shopping list says to buy a board that is 26" but the cut list says to cut 14". Isn't 14 X 2 =28? I wish I would have looked at this better because I need to go back to the store for a longer board. The store I went to cut them in length for me. I like the blue and orange store better because you get to pick out the wood.

melissa2

Fri, 02/03/2012 - 16:14

After doing a few plans from the site, I finally had the confidence to modify this into something I've been wanting for years after seeing them featured in catalogs--an adult-sized storage step with sloped sides and an inset lower step (here's how to make modifications if anyone else wants to do the same: http://ana-white.com/2012/02/storage-bed-step-modifications-kids-storag… ). Thanks for sharing your talents and helping give women the confidence to build!

Terralee #Rich (not verified)

Thu, 09/13/2012 - 12:22

I have been looking for a small step stool. Bless you. I'm a large woman and have trouble getting into the bed of my camper. This will be much easier for me. Thank you do much!!!!!

Brian Carlson (not verified)

Mon, 12/31/2012 - 07:23

Should paint or stain be applied before or after attaching the hinges?

Runsomewhere

Wed, 01/09/2013 - 09:09

I attached the hinges as the very last step. I was afraid painting over them would goop them up. Stain won't stick to metal. Paint will, but it may flake off and peel over time.

kdalton324

Sun, 09/27/2015 - 21:15

I think that the measurements for the total amount of wood is off. In the shopping list section you list 26 inches of 1x8. but in the cut list you have "2" 14 inch 1x8 boards for your stair tred.