DIY Bar Stools with Metal Bar Accents

Hi, it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt back with another build project for you.  Since we have the perfect corbel for your kitchen island, we better build some easy bar stools too.  The inspiration for the bar stool design is from Better Homes and Gardens.  I love the bright pop of color in the white kitchen, stunning!

(Note: this picture is the inspiration not the actual build)

We are going to simplify the bar stools by removing the flair in the legs, and these stools become a super easy DIY and very inexpensive.  The plans are for a 24″ bar stool, if you need a taller version, just add length to the legs.

How to Build a Bar Stool

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Materials Needed

• 1 – 2″ x 2″ x 8′ board
• 1 – 1″ x 2″ x 8′ board
• 1 – 1″ x 4″ x 8′ board or 15″ x 15″ of 3/4″ plywood
• 1/2″ metallic tube conduit
• 1 1/4″ pocket screws
• wood glue
• wood filler
• sand paper
• primer and paint

Cut List

*can be replaced with 15″ x 15″ x 3/4″ plywood or any material.

Step 1

Cut 6 pieces of the 1 x 2 that are 10″ x 1 1/2″ x 3/4″.  Cut 1 piece that is 10 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ x 3/4″.  Use a pocket jig and make pocket holes in each end of the back face of all 7 pieces.  Cut 4 legs 23 1/4″ x 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″.

Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket screws to assemble the back legs.  Attach one of the 10″ pieces flush with the top and a second 10″ piece 7 1/2″ from the bottom, centering on the leg width.

Attach 2 10″ pieces for the sides flush with the top, again centered on the leg width.  Attach the 10 3/4″ piece in the center of the lower back piece.

Step 2

Cut 2 pieces of 1/2″ conduit to about 11″.  You can easily cut metal conduit with a hack saw or a grinder with a cut off wheel.  1/2″ conduit has an inside diameter of 1/2″ and the outside is just under 3/4″ diameter.  In both front legs, drill 3/4″ holes about 1/2″ deep – 6 1/4″ from the top and 9 1/2″ from the bottom, centered on the leg width.

Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket screws to assemble the front legs.  Attach one of the 10″ pieces flush with the top and a second 10″ piece 7 1/2″ from the bottom, centering on the leg width.

Insert the 2 conduit pieces in the holes and attach the other leg.  If you are planning on painting the conduit, it may be easier to paint it before installing.

 Attach the front legs to the back legs and sides, again with wood glue and 1 1/4″ screws.  Add pocket holes to the upper 10″ pieces to attach the seat later.

 Step 3

If you are using the 1×4 for the seat, cut the 1×4 into5 – 15″ lengths.  Trim the long edges to make sure they are straight.  Join the boards with wood glue and pocket holes and screws, or your preferred method.  Let the glue dry, then sand smooth.  Cut the board down to 15″ x 15″.  If you want, add a 30 deg chamfer on the bottom of the seat.

If you would like to add a ‘handle’.  Mark the center line of the seat and drill 2 – 1″ diameter holes about 6″ apart and 4 9/16″ from one side.  Use a jig saw or similar to cut a straight line connecting the tops and bottoms of both circles.

Center the seat on the leg/base and attach the seat with wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket screws.

Note:  the handle and conduit are totally optional and purely for looks.

Step 4

Remove any excess glue, apply wood filler to nail holes, cracks and blemishes and allow to dry.  Sand the wood filler and bar stool until smooth finishing with 120-150 grit sand paper.  Stain or paint and prime as you like.

Here is my finished bar stool.  I painted the conduit Rustoleum Anodized Bronze and the wood Rustoleum Robins Egg.

Cost Breakdown – according to my local Home Depot

• 2″ x 2″ x 8′ board – $1.99
• 1″ x 2″ x 8′ board – $1.07
• 1″ x 4″ x 8′ board – $2.18
• 1/2″ x 10′ electric metal conduit – $2.48 (enough for 5 bar stools)
  • Total – $7.72 + paint or stain

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Itching to build something else? Try our other building plans such as:

Small Open Shelf

Rotating Shoe Rack

Wall-Mount Dry Erase Message Board

Published: October 11, 2014Filed Under: Contributor, DIY Project Plans, Kitchen, Seating, Sketches/Renderings Tagged: building plans, Kitchen, seating, Tutorials

About Amy Baesler

Amy is the tool lover at Hertoolbelt. On Hertoolbelt, Amy shares DIY furniture plans, handyman tutorials, and craft patterns. She has two pint sized 'helpers' that help fix things around the house and build fun projects.