Here's How to Make a Slide-Out Step Stool

A hideaway step stool is an ingenious addition to your bathroom, giving your little ones a helpful boost. They can become a little more independent, and when they’re done – back it goes, sliding out of view. Beginners can easily tackle this step stool DIY project on the weekend. While ours is a vanity slide-out design built to give junior a lift when brushing their teeth, it can also be adapted to fit kitchen settings for kids who are keen to cook and bake alongside Mom and Dad.

What You’ll Need* :

Supplies

• (2) 16" x 48" x 3/4" Solid Pine Panels 

• Carpenter’s Glue 

• Minwax Interior Stain or BeautiTone Paint  

• Felt Pads 

• Screws 

• Sand Paper

Tools

• Drill 

• Pencil 

• Tape Measure 

• Jigsaw 

• Clamp(s) 

• Pocket Hole Jig 

• Paint Brush 

• Rag 

• Router 

• Table Saw 

• Palm Sander

* Our full assortment of building supplies is available at Home Building Centre and Home Hardware Building Centre locations. To unlock our catalogue of building supplies online, please select your local Building Centre.

Here’s How

For this project, we’re creating a 4 3/4" x 14 3/4" x 27 3/4" step stool in simple, affordable pine to fit under the vanity. The beauty of this versatile material is that you can easily stain or paint your stool to match or contrast with your existing vanity.

Steps:

1. Assemble all the materials and tools for your project. 

2. Measure the width and height of the space below your vanity to determine the dimensions of your slide-out step stool. 

3. Measure, mark and cut the pine panels:

• (2) pieces of pine at 2 1/2 " x 26" (these will form the long sides of the step stool or front and back) 

• (2) pieces of pine at 4" x 14 1/2" (these will form the short sides of the step stool) 

• (1) piece of pine at 14 3/4 " x 27 3/4" (_this will be the top of the step stoo_l)

4. Take one of the 2 1/2 " x 26" long side pieces (this will be the front of your step stool). Measure to find its centre point, then measure and mark 2 1/2" on either side of the centre point and drill two holes. These holes will make it easier to cut out the semicircle handle in the next step. Router the edges smooth.

5. Using the jigsaw, cut out a semicircle. This will be the handle kids can use to easily pull out the step stool once it’s in place. Router the edges smooth.

6. Take the two 4" x 14 1/2" side pieces. On both ends of both pieces, measure and mark a few inches from the end of the board and a few inches from the side. To connect these marks, trace a paint can or use a protractor; these will be the curved legs of the stool. Using the jigsaw, cut out a semicircle. Router the edges smooth.

7. Using the pocket jig bit, create 2 holes per leg piece to connect the top piece. On each long side piece, create 3 holes to connect the top piece, and 4 holes (two on each end) to connect the side legs.

8. Once all pocket jig holes have been drilled, position these pieces on top of your 14 3/4 " x 27 3/4" piece; glue and screw together.

9. Flip your stool right-side up and router all edges smooth. 

10. Use a palm sander to smooth the top, and sandpaper to remove any roughness in the semicircle handle.

11. Stain or paint your step stool; wipe excess stain away with a rag. Apply as many coats as needed to achieve your desired look. Let dry overnight. 

12. Cut felt pads to size for the feet of your stool. Glue them in place to protect your floor.

13. Your custom sliding step stool is now complete. Position it in place beneath your vanity and introduce your little ones to this special hidden feature built just for them.

Total time: 4 Hours

Difficulty: Intermediate