Quick Footstools You Can Make Yourself

A footstool is almost a necessity in today's homes and you can make very unique ones in little time. One really cute design is made from (7) 48 oz juice cans. Empty and clean the cans then remove lids completely. Leave the bottoms in tact. Push the cans together where one can is in the center and the others surround it. Hold them together by using a huge rubber band or tying them together temporarily. Draw the design of the cans onto a piece of paper for a pattern. Use the pattern to make one design from fabric, felt, fur or vinyl. Make one more cut of the design onto a thin piece of rubber matting. Still one more should be cut from quarter-inch foam.

Cut 7 pieces of quarter-inch foam and wrap them around each can. Glue into place then wrap cloth around each can and glue. Use spray adhesive on one side of the foam to attach it to the side of the cans that have the lid still attached. Now use hot glue to put the cloth shape over the foam and secure it. Use the spray adhesive, once again, to glue the bottom rubber matting to the side of the cans without lids. This makes a cute footstool that stays in place. Make a mini version of this for kids by using seven vegetable cans. The designs can hold some body weight but not extreme weight.

Using two squares of wood and four wooden dowels you can build a footstool complete with magazine rack. Stain or paint the bottom piece of wood and nail, screw or glue the four dowels into the four corners. Paint the dowels if desired. Now use nails, screws or glue to affix the top board to the four dowels. Cut a piece of quarter-inch foam and glue it to the top wooden piece. Use hot glue or a staple gun to cover the foam with fabric or vinyl. Use the bottom portion to hold books and magazines. A similar design can be done using circular pieces of wood. Just be sure to space the four dowels evenly around the circle. This design is not suitable for sitting.

If your home is done in Early American a log might make a nice footstool. The log piece should be short and large in diameter. Use as is or make a cover for the top by gluing on a piece of foam then vinyl or cloth. The log will hold foot or body weight.