Drag to turn it. 3D model render, drawn from the plan itself; photos of the finished piece are coming soon.
Block Loop Stool
Three 2x6 boards on top, three on the bottom and three at each end, tied by four hidden 2x4 cleats. The gaps line up all the way round, so it reads as one square loop from every side. Three cut lengths and 4 boards per stool. Build a row of them for the table, or turn one on its side as a side table or plant stand.
- Skill
- Level 1
- Build time
- About 2 hours
- Size
- 17" × 17" × 18"W × D × H
- Lumber
- 4 boards, all 8 ft
Make it a set: Block Dining SetBlock Dining Table + Block Dining Bench + Block Loop Stool plans for $49Save $13See the free 3D build guide previewGive it as a giftBuild-ready or your money back. If anything in the plan doesn't work as drawn, email us within 30 days for a full refund.
You buy the materials at Home Depot, not here. Cedar: from $195.
- Printable plan and interactive 3D build guide
- One-trip Home Depot shopping list
- Yours to keep. Build it as many times as you like
16 parts, only 3 lengths.
Every part gets a letter you pencil on its end. The drawings, the cut list, the cutting diagrams and the 3D guide all use the same letters, so you always know exactly which board you are holding.
- DrawingsFront, side and top views with dimensions
- Cut listEvery part by letter, board and length
- Cutting diagramsWhich part comes from which 8 ft board
- 5 stepsEach with time, check and common mistake
Try the build guide before you buy.
The first 2 of 5 steps are free. It’s exactly what you’ll follow in the garage, on your phone or laptop.
- Watch each step build itself, board by board, screw by screw.
- Spin and zoom the model with your finger or mouse.
- Tap any board to see its letter and cut size.
Try steps 1–2 freeOne list. One trip to Home Depot.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x6 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, #2 Prime | 3 |
| 2x4 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, #2 Prime | 1 |
| 2-1/2" exterior wood screws, rated for treated lumber (hidden joints) | 24 (1 × 1 lb box) |
| 2-1/2" exterior trim-head screws, rated for treated lumber (top and bottom boards) | 24 (1 × 1 lb box) |
| Behr semi-transparent stain & sealer, Cedar Naturaltone | 1 qt |
- Estimated build cost
- $90–$95
- Pick #2 Prime boards and sight down each one. Take the straightest and grab one spare of each size.
- Treated pine comes wet. Stack the boards flat with scrap spacers between them, out of the sun, for 2–3 weeks before you cut. Dry boards don't shrink or twist after you build.
- Use screws labeled for treated lumber (most coated exterior screws are) and galvanized brackets.
- Sand the faces and edges smooth, then stain once the wood is dry. A cedar-tone stain gives it the honey look in the photos.
- Wear a dust mask when cutting and sanding treated wood, and never burn the scraps.
Estimates based on typical Home Depot prices; your store may vary. Same cuts and same steps in either wood.
5 steps · about 2 hours
- 1Cut the partsFree in 3D30 min
- 2Build the two endsFree in 3D30 min
- 3Add the top20 min
- 4Flip it and add the bottom20 min
- 5Sand and finish45 min + drying
Good to know
How big is it?
17 × 17 inches and 18 inches tall: dining-seat height. It fits under the Block Dining Table's apron and between its end legs.
How many do I need?
One per seat along the table side: three for the 72-inch table, four for the 84 or 96, plus one for each end. Buy the plan once and build as many as you like.
Is it strong enough to stand on?
It's built for sitting. The top boards span about 14 inches between cleats, which carries an adult easily, but a stool isn't a step ladder.
Which tools do I need?
A drill/driver, a miter saw or circular saw, a tape measure, a speed square, a few clamps and a sanding block. Every joint is wood on wood with screws: no pocket holes, no glue-ups, no brackets.
Can I build it in pine to save money?
Yes. The plan comes with a second shopping list in pressure-treated pine, with the same cuts and the same steps. Pine needs a couple of weeks to dry and a coat of cedar-tone stain, but costs well under half as much as cedar.