How to Transform a Thrifted Footstool into Something Fabulous!

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I found two of these footstools at the Goodwill while we were in Florida at my sister’s. I rarely know exactly what my plans are for any particular piece, but I always have a vision of the potential. They were only $6 each, so they came home with me. Let me show you how to transform a thrifted footstool into something fabulous; a Christmas farmhouse footstool!

The hardest part of this DIY, was removing the original fabric. These people did a really good job. Ha!

a hand removing fabric from an old stool

Here is the shell of the stool. I took it town to bare bones. I thought about just covering the old fabric, but I was afraid it might show through, especially if it ever got wet, so I decided to remove it.

a hand showing the shell of an old footstool after removing the original fabric and legs

I didn’t mention it before, but the legs were just screwed in, so we removed those first.

I debated on replacing the foam, but it was still in such good shape, I left it.

an old footstool, with the old fabric removed, sitting on top of new fabric about to get wrapped with it

The fabric that I chose for the stool was this Christmas print that I picked up at Hobby Lobby last year I believe. I remember when I bought it, again, I had no immediate plans, but I knew I would eventually use it. Today was that day. I was going to make a Christmas farmhouse footstool!

After laying it out onto the fabric, I just eyeballed how much I would need and made rough cuts. I then rounded the corners, just so I wouldn’t have so much extra fabric. You don’t have to do this step, though.

the bottom of a thrifted footstool, while someone shows stapling on new fabric onto an old footstool

Then I just started stapling the fabric onto the underside of the footstool! I stapled one side, then moved to the opposite side. Then I moved on to the adjacent sides. This method helps to keep the fabric tight and even. Get my staple gun >>HERE<< on Amazon!

After I attached four opposite sides, I moved on to the corners. I would gather a section, pull tight, then staple. There were pleats along the sides because of this, but it’s hard for there not to be, and it still looks great!

a hand showing stapling on new fabric onto an old footstool

New Fall Decor at Dollar General!

Once I had everything stapled, I started to work on finishing the bottom. I used black felt and cut circles out of it a little smaller than the size of the stool.

a hand cutting circles out of felt with blue scissors to add to the bottom of a newly transformed footstool

I then stapled this onto the bottom of the stool. This finished it off perfectly!

showing the bottom of a newly transformed footstool, with added felt using staples for a finished look

This was oddly satisfying. Lol Even if it is a little off center.

a hand showing the bottom of a newly transformed footstool, with added felt using staples for a finished look

The last thing I did was add the feet back. I just used my scissors to make holes in the fabric where the legs go and screwed them back on. Now you almost can’t tell that the felt is off centered a bit. Almost. Lol

two newly transformed Christmas footstools stacked together sitting out on a wood deck to show the bottom of the stool

Check out the difference! I love the new farmhouse footstool look!