Convertible Step Stool and Chair Plans

Difficulty: Medium
Time: Medium to Low

This is a really fun project. Basically you have a chair, you move the legs up and flip it over and then you have a step stool. This type of piece may be called a library chair, convertible chair or step chair.

The chair has 2 sections linked by a piano hinge. There is a handhold on the back of the chair that makes it easier to carry. These plans have been around for a while and it’s a really popular project with woodworkers. There are a few variations of the design. I would say this is a medium difficulty project. Everything has the same thickness, that makes it easier and faster to build. The plans come with cutting diagrams to help you cut the parts out of the board. If you can enlarge printouts increase the size of the diagram until the squares are 1 inch by 1 inch. Then it’s life-size.

To download the plans, right click on the link and select “Save As”.

Convertible Step Stool and Chair Plans

The chair / stool works well in the kitchen or bedroom where you can use it for reaching shelves.

The picture below shows what the chair looks like in oak. You could however use any hardwood (cherry, walnut, maple). Keep in mind that the extra functionality comes with extra weight. The handle makes the chair easier to move and flip over. The whole project can be made from one board that is 3/4 inches thick, 11 1/4 inches wide and 12 foot long.

The chair has a fairly basic style with curving lines. This means that the chair doesn’t clash with most other styles of furniture.

Converting the chair into a step stool can be a little difficult to visualize. These is a drawing on the second to last page of the plans to help you with that.