Making a stool from unused or leftover cardboard is fun and a crafty idea which would compel you to make one for yourself after going through this article. Creating a useful and handy piece of furniture from an everyday material would be a great exercise. This project can be counted as an invaluable aid in design and function.
Cardboard is not considered as a material for making furniture. Now you can explore all new world of designing furniture with cardboard, as cardboard can do wonders if used tactfully and ingeniously. Here is a way to create an environmental friendly product out of a cardboard.
Making a stool from unused or leftover cardboard is fun and a crafty idea which would compel you to make one for yourself after going through this article. Creating a useful and handy piece of furniture from an everyday material would be a great exercise. This project can be counted as an invaluable aid in design and function. Now you can explore all new world of designing furniture with cardboard, as cardboard can do wonders if used tactfully and ingeniously.
As we all know, cardboard is a light material and so the stool made out of cardboard would be light and could be easily transportable. So you can carry the stool anywhere and everywhere along if you want.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time required: Depends on the accuracy. Maximum time to complete this stool would be 3 to 4 hrs.
Resources required
1. Material
a. 3/8″ cardboard, 30″ x 40″
b. 3/8″ cardboard, 23.5″ x 48″
c. 3/8″ cardboard, 24″ x 72″
d. White Glue and not school glue (used for fixing furniture. Easily available from furniture making and selling stores)
2. Tools
a. Box Cutter
b. Compass
c. Straight Edge
Instructions
Step 1: Draw a similar picture on a piece of cardboard as in âfig. Aâ. Size of the cardboard should be 3/8″ and 30″ x 40″. Now cut and fold. This portion will form the seat. It is made out of multiples of 11.5″ diameter circles folded over each other. This double folding would give a strong sitting surface. The narrow strip at the bottom is folded around the circumference of all of the circles to hide any edges.
Step 2: Now on another piece of cardboard draw a similar picture as in âfig. Bâ. The size of the cardboard would be 3/8″ and 23.5″ x 48″. Now cut and fold part B. This part is the weight bearing element in the stool. This large sheet is rolled into a tight cylinder. You can simplify your work by using a straight edge and a blunt instrument like a scale, to mark parallel lines onto either side of the cardboard. The cardboard will then fold easily and neatly along the lines.
Step 3: Take third piece of cardboard and draw similar picture as in âfig. Câ. The size of the cardboard would be 3/8″ and 24″ x 72″. Now cut and fold part C. This part of the stool is the main decorative part. This piece consists of thin diamond cut outs. It would help you to press the middle in when it is rolled up. It would give you a shape of an hour glass shape.
Step 4: Once you feel that all parts are ready to be fixed, start gluing the parts together step by step. Make sure glue is not visible out of the area. This will make the stool more impressive.
Step 5: Now let the glue dry. Place stool in open windy area so that it can dry completely. You can place the stool in sun during day. Let the stool dry for one whole day before you use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it ecofriendly?
Cardboard is a recycled board, i.e., it is made up of recycled paper fibers. Ecofriendly means that they are made and disposed off with little environmental impact to as much extent as possible. So itâs an ecofriendly product.
Is the product strong and durable?
Cardboard is very strong if used in a rightful manner. If right glue instead of school glue is used then obviously the outcome will be strong product. If you want you can use double corrugated board for more durability.
Quick tips
Follow the instructions strictly and carefully to make a strong and durable stool. Go step by step while making the stool. As said you can use double corrugated board for more durability.
Things to watch out for
1. A well built stool will be sturdy but you have to sit still on it. Tilting or leaning will cause it to wear out quickly.
2. Check yourself how much weight your stool can support before using it. It can support weight of 200 lb.
3. This product can be used occasionally.
