Build your own kids chairs with storage. It's perfect for homeschool or playrooms where each child can have their own chair, with their own supplies stored right in their chair! Solid wood design is easy to paint or stain. Simple woodworking project requires no special tools or techniques.

Preparation
- 13 feet of 1x3 boards (Recommend buying two 8'- 1x3 furring strips and cut the good parts out for the chair and discard the bad sections)
- 1 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
- 1 - 1x12 @ 14"
- 1/4" plywood minimum 12" x 12"
- 3/4" and 1-1/4" brad nails
- 1-1/2" self tapping screws like these
- Wood glue
- wood filler, paint or stain
- 4 - 1x3 @ 11" - seat frames
- 4 - 1x3 @ 12-1/2" - seat frames
- 1 - 1/4" plywood @ 12-1/2" x 12-1/2" (can be 12" x 12" if you are trying to make the pieces work on a dimensional piece of plywood) - storage bottom
- 2 - 1x2 @ 28" - back legs
- 2 - 1x2 @ 13-1/4" - front legs
- 1- 1x2 @ 12-1/2" - seat back
- 2 - 1x3 @ 12-1/2" - back slats
- 1 - 1x12 @ 14" - seat
The best way to cut the pieces for this chair is with a compound miter saw. You can also use a circular saw.
It may be easier to sand the boards before cutting, especially if there are rough patches.
Instructions
Step 1
Step 2
Cut back legs in taper if desired, starting the taper at 14" from the bottom of the leg.
Attach the frames to the legs, with the tops of the frames at 13-1/4".
Use glue and screw at a slight angle from the inside of the frames into the back side of the legs. Screws at an angle will be stronger, and also since your screws are 1-1/2" long, there is a risk of the screw popping through. The angle will help with that.
Step 3
For a painted finish, apply wood filler to all holes, overfilling holes. Let the wood filler completely dry. Sand with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum all sanding residue off. Apply primer and paint (or a paint and primer in one). Apply as many coats as necessary to achieve even coverage. We recommend a semigloss for this project.
Comments
lorasolis
Wed, 04/13/2011 - 12:50
The chairs went together very easy!
I did a pair of these chairs and am so happy they went together so easily. N ow if I can figure out how to attach pics I'll be 100% finished! One of them I did a chalkboard paint on the seat. The kids will write all over the chair anyway.
Guest (not verified)
Sat, 04/23/2011 - 16:03
trying to build the chair
I am trying to build this chair and notice that in the cut list 1x2 is mentioned. It is not included in the shopping list. Am I missing something? Please help. TIA
milkyway
Thu, 09/06/2012 - 00:28
That chair looks awesome, I
That chair looks awesome, I recently bought a Tub Chair which looks almost similar. next time I will try to make one myself.
billyunderhill3
Tue, 06/10/2014 - 18:19
Nice looking chair...
Looks like a nice sturdy chair. But I have a couple questions. I don't see a 1x2 on the Shopping List, and I'm a little confused on how the side aprons are attached to the front legs. You said to use 2 screws per leg and 1 screw per apron. Do I simply screw from the outside of the leg into the apron towards the top for one screw, and towards the bottom for the other?
Mkellogg1
Fri, 08/21/2015 - 09:00
Wood Req'd
FYI.... Your "Shopping List" failed to mention the 1x2 board. But the pieces are accounted for in the "Cut List".
Mkellogg1
Tue, 08/25/2015 - 08:03
Assembly steps
Ana.... Love the chair plans, but the assembly Step 9 & Step 10 use the same picture, and Step 9 is supposed to show the attachment of the storage tray. I don't see a location dimension for the storage tray anywhere. Any help ?
jb97aggie
Thu, 12/17/2015 - 08:57
1X2 is NOT but SHOULD BE on the Shopping List
Grrrr...back to the store.
moonprysm
Sat, 06/18/2016 - 17:38
How old of a "kid"?
I'm in the process of building our homeschool "one room schoolhouse". I'm trying to figure out what kind of chairs to make. I have a 10 year old who's almost 5ft tall, a 7 year old, and a 5 year old. Are these like, toddler size chairs, or would they work for my boys?
bwaters86
Fri, 07/08/2016 - 13:06
Wood for the seat
Where can you find the 1x12x14? I tried looking online at my local lowes and home depot and it doesn't seem like they carry this board?? PLEASE HELP ASAP as I am planning to build this chair tomorrow. THANKS IN ADVANCE
In reply to Wood for the seat by bwaters86
Doug B
Fri, 07/08/2016 - 19:41
Seat wood
I think you will find the seat wood is 1x12 at 14inches long, should be in most lumber stores. Hope this helps.