How to Build a Shaker Style Footstool

Position four 1-by-1-by-12-inch posts upright underneath a 1/2-by-11 1/2-by-11 1/2-inch board. Arrange the posts, which are the footstool legs, so that they are exactly in the corners of the board, which is the support board. Drill down through the support board and into each leg, making four holes in all. Attach the support board to the legs using 1 1/4-inch wood screws.

Hold a 1/2-by-2-by-9 1/2-inch board, which will be the sideboard, in place between a pair of footstool legs, pressed up against the support board with its long, thin side. Drill two holes down through the support board and into the sideboard. Apply glue to each end of the sideboards. Attach the sideboard to the support board with 1 1/4-inch wood screws. Repeat for the other three sideboards. Clamp the sideboards in place and allow four hours for the glue to dry.

Set a 1-by-12-by-12-inch hardwood board, which will be the footstool top, upside down on the working surface. Place the assembled footstool frame upside down on top of the footstool top. Drill four evenly spaced holes through the support board in the frame, and into the footstool top. Attach the frame to the footstool top using 1 1/4-inch wood screws.