Easy Thrift Store Wood Stool Makeover Anyone Can Do

This thrift store wood stool makeover is a great way to transform furniture on a budget for your home!

Are you ready to get creative and give new life to a thrift store wood stool?

In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of transforming a plain and ordinary wooden stool into a unique and eye-catching piece that will add charm to any room.

I will also share other ideas you can use for your next wood stool makeover! Who knows, you might already have a barstool sitting in your stash ready for a transformation!

From preparation to finishing touches, we’ll cover everything you need to know to achieve a stunning makeover on a budget. I’ll even include additional ideas for you! Get ready to roll up your sleeves and work on a fun and rewarding DIY project!

I’ve included a YouTube video later in this post that includes this project as well as other thrift store makeovers for you!

The following post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and then buy something, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting my blog. full disclosure here.

This post is sponsored by Dixie Belle. All opinions are my own!

​step by step instructions

​Follow these steps to achieve a gorgeous furniture makeover for wood stools and other pieces of furniture too!

step 1: preparation 

The first step in this makeover process is to give this wood stool a good cleaning. This will help to remove any dirt, grime, or old finishes, and create a smooth surface for the new paint or stain to adhere to.

Here are some tips on the best way to clean the stool to ensure a professional-looking finish.

• Use a solution of hot soapy water and a micro-fiber cloth and go over the entire piece. Once all of the surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned, wipe the piece down with a clean wet cloth and clean water to remove any soap. You can also rinse it off with a garden hose if the weather permits. The garden hose is my method for sure!
• If you think the piece has furniture wax on it, you can wipe the piece down with mineral spirits before the final cleaning. Read the instructions on the can and follow them closely so that you remain safe!
• Allow the piece to thoroughly dry before moving on with the makeover.
• If you need to remove layers of paint on old stools, Ready Strip will do the trick. I have used this product many times for my furniture makeovers and have had great success. Follow the instructions on the container!

The next step is to sand the wood stool if needed. My thrift store find had a very shiny surface and is fairly new. It did not have much wear and tear. If your wooden stool is well-used, you might not have to sand the surface.

If you do have to scuff sand the surface, use fine-grit sandpaper just enough to remove the shine. This will ensure good paint adhesion.

I didn’t want to use my orbital sander on all of the legs of this stool so I opted for a coat of clear spray shellac. Shellac will stick to anything and anything will stick to shellac. It’s a cheater technique that I have had lots of success with in the past!

I’ll share the companion YouTube video later in this post and you will see how easy it is to use! I keep a can on hand just for this purpose.

Once the shellac was dry, I sanded the seat part of the stool down to bare wood using fine grit sandpaper. This step only took a few minutes and it was worth it to see the pretty wood!

step 2: design inspiration 

Once the stool is prepped and ready, it’s time to decide on the design and look you want to achieve.

I wanted to create a vintage look for this bar stool makeover and remove the orange tones of the original wood. I also knew I wanted to use chalk paint on this project. Chalk mineral paint that I like to use includes a primer and top coat so it saves a step!

​To create the vintage look I wanted, I started digging through some leftover transfers I had on hand. I used some of the vintage-inspired transfers for other projects like a thrift store tote bag and some upcycled junk pieces that I had lying around!

After looking at the transfer, I decided the color Umber would be perfect for the legs of this little stool! It would pair perfectly with the vintage transfer!

step 3: paint and transfer design

The next step is to paint this wood stool. I applied two coats of the gorgeous warm brown chalk paint to the legs. I allowed enough time between coats for the paint to dry completely.

To add a decorative element to the bare wood seat area, I applied the vintage-looking transfer. Applying a transfer is so easy, especially on a flat surface like seats of bar stools like mine!

• Place the design on the surface, keeping the backing sheet in place.
• Once you have decided how to place the transfer, remove the backing sheet and lay the transfer on the surface.
• Use the tool that comes with transfer and rub over the top of the clear transfer sheet. This will press the transfer onto the wood surface of the furniture you are working on.
• Lift up the corner clear transfer sheet to make sure all of the design has transferred to the surface. If there are areas it hasn’t transferred, lay it back down and go over it again with the tool.
• For the edges of the seat on the stool, I carefully lifted the clear sheet and held it in place as I used the tool to transfer the design to the edges. You will see more of this in the video tutorial of this furniture makeover project later in this post!

step 4: finishing touches 

​Wasn’t that an easy project?? Now all that needs to be done is to seal the piece! You won’t need to seal the chalk mineral paint because it has a built-in sealer!

As for the transfer, I added a coat of white wax to soften the look of the transfer. I allowed the wax to cure for a week and then I added a clear coat called Gator Hide for additional protection. I will be sitting on this stool a lot since it is for my craft table!

where to find old bar stools

I’m sure you are itching to find an old bar stool to makeover now, am I right? I can’t wait to find another one. They are so easy and fun to makeover. 

You can find them at your local thrift store, a yard sale, and at a second hand store. They come in all different heights including counter stools for bar height, shorter stools like mine for counter height, and even shorter little stools to prop up your feet while sitting in a side chair

additional creative ideas for wooden stool makeovers

I have gathered more ideas for you and your makeover project! Get creative and think outside of the box with your next wood stool makeover!

• Use 1 inch foam, quilt batting, old fabric, drop cloth, or a thrifted piece of fabric, and give the seat an upholstered top. I recovered a few organ stools that will inspire you.
• Paint the seat area of the stool using a stencil of your choice.
• Purchase material like a tablecloth or linens from a thrift store and create a fabric top for the stool. Add a thin layer of batting for a bit of cushion if you like! Attach the fabric on the underside using a staple gun.

YouTube tutorial

​Click below to watch the full tutorial for this project which includes even more thrift store makeovers for you to enjoy!

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