This project was built and designed by Nick from Rocky River Woodworks.
It’s a simple stool made with basic tools and affordable lumber—but finished in a way that looks polished and intentional.
Nick walks through the process step-by-step, showing how a small build can teach valuable skills like edge-gluing, routing, painting, staining, and final assembly. The end result is a compact, durable stool that works well in kitchens, workshops, and entryways.
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A Stool That Teaches the Basics
This project is great for beginners because it covers all the fundamentals without requiring complicated joinery. The stool is made from standard dimensional lumber and is composed of three main parts: a top platform, a small front riser, and a pair of side supports.
What makes this design stand out is its two-tone finish. The stained top and riser are framed by painted sides, creating a clean contrast that gives it the feel of finished furniture rather than a simple shop build.
Lumber Prep Without Overcomplicating It
Nick starts by breaking down the boards into shorter lengths. These include two pieces for the top, two for the riser, and a few mid-length boards that are glued edge-to-edge to form L-shaped side supports.
Because off-the-shelf lumber typically has rounded edges, Nick runs each board through the table saw to square up both sides. This makes glue-ups easier and gives the stool a cleaner profile overall.
Edge-Gluing for Strength and Practice
Glue-ups play a big role in this build. Matching two boards edge-to-edge forms a wider panel for the stool top, while the side pieces are glued to create the signature L-shape of the supports.
Flush alignment on one side is key to forming a consistent reveal later. Nick uses yellow wood glue for all joints—no biscuits or dowels—proving that strong clamping is enough for a build like this.
Shaping and Sanding the Panels
Once the glue is dry, Nick sands off any excess and removes mill stamps or imperfections. He keeps the sander moving to avoid creating dips in the soft wood and uses a random orbit sander with medium grit for even cleanup.
For comfort and aesthetics, the top panel edges are rounded over using a router. Three edges are shaped, leaving the underside square. This subtle change gives the project a much more finished look.
Clean Contrast with Stain and Paint
Nick stains the top and riser using a dark walnut color, wiping off excess to avoid blotches and streaks. This helps highlight the grain while keeping the tone deep and warm.
After staining, the top pieces get a protective clear coat. Polyacrylic or lacquer both work well here, adding a light sheen and durability.
The side panels are painted white before assembly. This helps cover end grain and saves time later. One or two coats of paint-primer combo give great coverage and create a nice contrast with the stained parts.
Assembly with Simple Tools
Final assembly starts by attaching the riser flush to the front and positioning the top with a small overhang on all sides. Nick uses a consistent spacer to line everything up evenly before driving in screws.
Screw holes are pre-drilled and countersunk to avoid splitting the wood. Once attached, screw heads can be left exposed or filled and painted over for a cleaner finish.
Making It Strong and Secure
Even without bracing, the geometry of this stool makes it very sturdy. The L-shaped sides and tight glue joints do the heavy lifting. But if extra strength is wanted, a small brace behind the riser or top can be glued and screwed into place.
Nick emphasizes that if the stool doesn’t creak or wobble under normal use, it’s good to go. A properly built version handles daily tasks easily—whether used as a footstool, step-up, or extra seat.
Ideas for Customization
This stool is also a great jumping-off point for custom builds. Change the paint and stain combo to match your decor, or try a lighter stain with natural wood supports for a different vibe.
Use hardwoods for the top if you expect heavy use, or adjust the height and width to convert the build into a mini bench or storage step.
Rounding can be swapped for chamfers if a more modern, angular look is preferred. Each small change gives the build a new personality while following the same core structure.
A Perfect Starter Project
Nick’s stool project shows how even a basic build can look refined with the right finishing touches. It’s a fantastic confidence booster for new woodworkers and a useful item for anyone’s home or shop.
With low material cost and minimal tool requirements, it’s approachable and budget-friendly—while still teaching techniques you’ll use in future furniture builds.
Please support Nick by visiting his website here: https://www.rockyriverwoodworks.com/.