How to Build a Cardboard Stool

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Co-authored by Renee Day

Last Updated: June 15, 2025

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Making the stool base

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Making the seat

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

A nifty stool can be created using strong cardboard and your cutting and gluing skills. This cardboard stool is a cool design project for high school students or something great to kill the time. It might also be useful if you need more seats for your next student party.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Making the stool base

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This is needed so as form the cardboard into a triangle. For guidance in where to bend, see the bend lines provided in the image.
The slit at one end should be on the bottom corner, while the slit at the other end should be on the top corner. See the image for the precise locations of the slits. These slits allow for clipping into each other to form a locked triangle when folded in place.

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Fold the cardboard piece to make two triangles in exactly the same way. When done, you should have something that looks like the triangles in the image. Make a halfway cut at the arrow marks shown in the image, on both triangles.
Refer to the image to help you with the over-locking.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Making the seat

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By following the line you'd drawn in place, it should fit perfectly on your stool.
Allow to dry firmly.
Sit on it gently and enjoy making your own easy furniture.

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Question

Can this hold 225 pounds?

Community Answer

No, it is unlikely that it will be able to hold 225 pounds.

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Question

What is stronger for building cardboard chairs: grids, triangles, or "V"s?

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Community Answer

Triangular shapes are generally sturdier than squares and rectangles. If you're making a grid, the added material can help support more weight, but consider making the grid triangular.

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Tips

These stools are only for temporary use. They won't withstand prolonged usage.

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Choose thick cardboard. If you use simple craft cardboard, it's unlikely to hold anything.

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Warnings

If the stool gets wet, it may disintegrate.

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Do not swing on the stool or sit on it heavily, it will likely break.

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If you're making this project and under the age of 15, it is highly recommended that you get supervision from an adult because it can be tricky to get the measurements right.

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When cutting out the cardboard be sure to be careful with the knife/scissor you're using.^{[1]
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Renee Day
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