Industrial Stool Makeover

I have another thrift store find for you today, a pair of well used and well loved industrial metal stools. I was on the hunt for a file cabinet but when I saw this pair I couldn’t resist, and besides, the thrift store didn’t have a file cabinet.

industrial stool makeover
The stools were two different heights, so in my mind I’m thinking of ways I could minimize the difference but at only $4 a piece, they had to go home with me.

industrial stool makeover
Start by getting rid of that existing, stained wooden seat.

Here I was using my grinder to get rid of the rivets holding the seat on when I noticed that there are 4 other holes which I can use to hold the new seat .

You can get rid of the rivets if you want or just leave them there. They weren’t bothering me so I just pried off the existing seat (I just used a flat head screwdriver).

industrial stool makeover
Use those newly pried off seats as patterns to make your new wooden seats. This is a 1 inch piece of scrap plywood, cut with a jigsaw.

industrial stool makeover
Sand off any rust, paint drips, or any other gunk to get the stools ready for painting.

industrial stool makeover
Use masking tape to cover any areas you don't want painted.

industrial stool makeover
Spray paint the color of your choice. This is semigloss black from rustoleum.

industrial stool makeover
Back to the seats...sand the edges of the wood seats and use the seats as a template to cut 1 inch foam. Cut the foam slightly larger than the wood so you don't feel that hard wooden edge.

industrial stool makeover
Use the wood seat again as a pattern to cut your seat fabric and a layer of quilt batting, this time allowing an extra 2 inches on all sides. You want to give yourself plenty of extra fabric to cover the foam.

industrial stool makeover
Pull the fabric tight and alternate sides as you staple the fabric and batting to the wood seat. By the time you're finished you should pretty much have a solid line of staples encircling the seat.

industrial stool makeover
Use wood screws to attach the seat to the stool.

Stop by my post if you want to see why these stools are no longer different heights. Hint..it's a ridiculously easy fix. :)

Suggested materials:
Fabric (Joanns)
Stools (Goodwill)
Batting, wood scraps, spray paint (I had these on hand but they can be found at craft and home imp stores)