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This stool is a genuinely simple plywood box with one deliberate twist: the padded top isn't hinged or fixed, it's held on with industrial-strength velcro, so the entire storage compartment underneath opens by just lifting the cushion off. Build the box first with pocket holes, then attach the bottom with nails or staples and glue — a straightforward small carcass with nothing unusual in its joinery.
Caster wheels go on the bottom next, turning what would be a static ottoman into something that rolls — genuinely useful for a stool that's also functioning as hidden storage in a room where furniture gets shuffled around. Two locking casters are worth using if this doubles as a step stool, since an ottoman that rolls out from under a foot mid-step is a real fall risk.
The top is upholstered separately from the box: foam over a 3/4" plywood panel, wrapped in fabric and stapled underneath, then attached to the top of the box with velcro rather than hinges or screws. This is what keeps the storage genuinely convenient — no hinge hardware to bind or wear out, just lift the cushion straight up.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x12 project panel, 6 ft | 1 each |
| 3/4" project panel, 18 in x 18 in (top and bottom) | 2 each |
| 3/4" plywood scrap, 16 in x 16 in | 1 each |
| Foam, 2 in thick, 16 in x 16 in | 1 each |
| Upholstery fabric, 24 in x 24 in minimum, batting recommended if thin | 1 each |
| Industrial strength velcro | 2 ft |
| Staples, 5/8" and 1-1/4" | 60 each |
| Caster wheels, 2 in, two locking | 4 each |
| Screws, 3/4", to fit casters if not supplied | 16 each |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" | 20 each |
| Wood glue | 2 oz |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Box sides1x12 project panel, 6 ft | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 16 1/2" |
| Box front/back1x12 project panel, 6 ft | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 18" |
| Box top and bottom3/4" project panel, 18 in x 18 in (top and bottom) | 2 | 3/4" × 18" × 18" |
| Upholstered top panel3/4" plywood scrap, 16 in x 16 in | 1 | 3/4" × 16" × 16" |
Buy 3 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
1 board
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Build the box sides and front/back into a square frame using 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.
Attach the bottom panel with nails or staples and wood glue.
Attach caster wheels to the bottom of the box, using at least two locking casters if the stool will double as a step stool.
Wrap the foam and fabric around the 3/4" plywood top panel, stapling the fabric underneath. Attach the upholstered top panel to the box top with industrial strength velcro.
Sand any exposed wood surfaces before upholstering, and finish the box exterior as desired.
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