This project was built and designed by Clinton from Specific Love Creations. It’s a quick and practical build—a compact footrest made from a single board, perfect for improving posture and comfort at your desk.
Designed with simplicity and usefulness in mind, this project makes great use of scrap wood and basic tools. The result is a clean, functional addition to any workspace that also gives new life to leftover materials.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Clinton’s channel:
Why a Footrest Makes a Difference
Sitting for extended periods can cause discomfort, especially in your legs and lower back. A footrest helps improve circulation and posture by elevating your feet slightly and keeping your body in better alignment.
This is one of those simple changes that can make a big impact during long work sessions. If you’ve experienced stiffness or soreness while seated, a well-positioned footrest can offer noticeable relief.
Materials and Tools Required
Clinton keeps things simple by using a basic two-by-four board for the entire project. Scrap wood from past builds is perfect for this, making it both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
The tools needed include a miter saw or circular saw, sandpaper, and optionally a bandsaw for curved or angled cuts. If available, rubber feet and finish materials like stain or polyurethane can be added at the end.
Cutting the Footrest Base
The first pieces to cut are the base supports, which form the foundation of the footrest. Two identical blocks are measured and trimmed from the board, then shaped with a slight diagonal angle for both comfort and aesthetics.
To make the angled cuts, Clinton marks down from the top edge to create a guide. The angle can be adjusted depending on your preferred elevation—steeper angles raise the footrest more, while shallower ones keep it low and subtle.
After shaping the feet, all corners are sanded to remove sharp edges and ensure a safe, clean surface.
Constructing the Top and Bottom
The top platform of the footrest is cut next, along with optional cross pieces for additional support or visual style. These can be made from the same two-by-four or substituted with furring strips if you prefer a lighter look.
Choosing pieces with smooth grain and minimal defects helps improve the final appearance. Clinton selects the best sections from his board to make sure the top looks polished once assembled and finished.
Assembly Tips and Options
With all pieces ready, Clinton assembles the footrest by laying the base blocks flat and attaching the top board above them. The top piece is cut slightly wider than the base, giving it a pleasing overhang on both ends.
Assembly can be done with either wood screws or glue. Screws offer strength and easy disassembly, while glue provides a sleeker look with no visible hardware. Pre-drilling holes is recommended if using screws to prevent the wood from splitting.
No clamps are needed if the fit is snug and alignment is checked during the process.
Smoothing and Finishing
Once the structure is complete, the entire piece is sanded again to remove any remaining roughness. This final pass helps avoid splinters and prepares the wood for finish.
Clinton recommends adding rubber feet to prevent the footrest from sliding on hard floors. This small upgrade adds stability and protects both the footrest and the surface it sits on.
Applying a stain can help match the footrest to other furniture in your space. A protective topcoat like polyurethane is highly recommended, especially since the piece will regularly come into contact with shoes, socks, or bare feet.
Small Project, Big Value
What makes this footrest project stand out is its usefulness and simplicity. It doesn’t require a big workshop or specialty tools—just a board, a saw, and a few minutes of your time.
It’s also an excellent way to use up scrap materials while creating something you’ll use every day. Whether you’re working from home or just need a little ergonomic boost at your desk, this is a fast, practical build that makes a difference.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Clinton’s channel: