DIY Step Stool Makeover with Mod Podge

I needed something small to reach the tops of my kitchen shelves – so I decorated this DIY step stool in my favorite fabric colors!

Skills Required: Beginner. It helps to have some experience with Mod Podge and cutting things in ovals (which isn’t as easy as it looks necessarily). You’ll be painting and attaching fabric to the stool.

I love my new DIY step stool! How did it come about? Mod Podge Command Central was not designed with me in mind. The nerve, right?

You see, in the kitchen I can’t reach the top cabinets (even though I’m 5′ 6″) and I have nowhere to keep a step stool unless I want to ditch some craft supplies.

Not going to happen. When presented with a problem such as this, I’m sure you can guess that I always turn to Mod Podge. I also turn to my fabric stash, which had another colorway of the Joel Dewberry fabric I used in this project.

The instructions for my DIY step stool are below – this is how I solved the problem with the help of my good friend Mod Podge. You’ll be pleased to know I’m now reaching the upper cabinets with ease, and all is right with the world again.

1. You will first want to prepare the fabric before painting. To do this, wash and dry the fabric (do not use fabric softener). Iron and then lay out on a covered work surface. Wax paper is preferable for covering your table. Using a brush, paint a light coat of Fabric Mod Podge onto your fabric. Allow to dry. This will allow you to cut the fabric like paper without frayed edges.
2. Time to cut out your fabric pieces. Lay the stool top down onto the fabric and trace. Cut out using the scissors. Do the same thing with both of the stool sides. Set aside.
3. My stool came unassembled, so I painted it before I put it together. I basecoated the sides and top with Patina. You can paint the whole thing with Patina, but I painted the crossbar (which you can’t see in the photo) with Parchment. Depends on how many paint colors you want to buy. Allow these pieces to dry.
4. Assemble the stool following the included instructions. Touch up any paint as needed.
5. This is my favorite part! Adhere the top and side fabric using the Gloss Mod Podge. Completely smooth out all air bubbles and allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
6. Coat the entire stool with at least two coats of Gloss Mod Podge. Allow to dry.
7. Go back to the top and trim any excess fabric around the edge with a craft knife.
8. Allow the stool to dry for at least 24 hours before using. I recommend spraying with several coats of acrylic sealer to completely finish your project and add durability.

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5 from 1 vote

DIY Step Stool

Learn how to make this cute stool using a wooden base, fabric, and Mod Podge!

Prep Time1 hour hr

Active Time3 hours hrs

Dry Time2 hours hrs

Total Time6 hours hrs

Yield: 1 stool

Cost: $17

Equipment

• Flat paintbrush
• Craft knife
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors

Materials

• Wooden stool
• Mod Podge Fabric
• Mod Podge Gloss
• 1/2 yard Fabric
• Wax paper
• Clear acrylic spray sealer optional

Instructions

• Wash and dry the fabric (don’t use fabric softener). Lay the fabric out on a piece of wax paper. Using a brush, paint a light coat of Fabric Mod Podge onto your fabric. Allow to dry.
• Lay the stool top down onto the back of the fabric and trace. Cut out the pieces using the scissors. Do the same thing with both of the stool sides. Set aside.
• Paint the stool with acrylic paint and let dry.
• Adhere the top and side fabric using the Gloss Mod Podge. Smooth out all air bubbles and allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
• Coat the entire stool with at least two coats of Gloss Mod Podge. Allow to dry.
• Trim any excess fabric around the edge with a craft knife.
• Allow the stool to dry for at least 24 hours before using. Spray with several coats of acrylic sealer to completely finish your project and add durability.

If you enjoyed this decoupage furniture project, I’d love for you to check out these related ideas:

• Decorate a Wooden Stool with Paper
• Fabric Covered Box with Mod Podge
• Decoupage Stool with Pretty Paper and Mod Podge
• DIY Stool with a Fun Circus Theme
• DIY Gift Box in a Few Easy Steps (So Cute!)