How to Add Comfort to a Bar Stool Foot Rest

4 Materials
$3
10 Minutes
Easy

In this week's Workshop Wednesday we shared a field trip, as well as a review of Steph's new Ruggable washable rug. You can see those segments at the :50 and 9:00 marks. In between is our Fast DIY segment at the 5:25 mark.


Steph's new bar stools have an uncomfortable thin bar as a foot rest. She decided to use pipe insulation to solve the problem. Pipe insulation looks like a pool noodle but only comes in black, is split down the middle and and can have adhesive on the edges.

You can see all three segments in the video.

That curved rod is the foot rest. It's okay if you're wearing shoes, but really tough on bare feet. For this Fast DIY, you'll need pipe insulation, fabric if you want to cover it, scissors, and a hot glue gun.

The first version is super simple. Cut the insulation to size, peel back the adhesive covering and put it on the foot rest. Line up the sides and stick them together. Turn it so the seam faces the floor.

If you want to remove it, don't expose the adhesive. Just put it in place and turn the seam down.

If you want to be fancy, you can cover it. Cut a rectangle a little larger than the length and width of the insulation. Fold the edges down and hot glue or stitch into place. These will be the sides of the cover. The cut edges will tuck down into the split in the insulation.

Remove the adhesive cover from one side. Tuck and stick one of the cut edges inside the insulation. Do the same with the other side. If the fabric is a little long, cut off the excess before tucking.

Add it to the foot rest and turn the seam towards the floor.

Pipe insulation and a little fabric add a level of comfort to those uncomfortable foot rests.

Steph is trying to decide which she likes better. Let us know in the comments below what you think. Does anyone else have uncomfortable bar stools? Share your fix.

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3 of 7 questions
  • Jan Jan on Jun 11, 2019

    You can also use pool noodles for this?

  • Theresa Penrod Theresa Penrod on Jun 12, 2019

    I like the plain black. But what about kids? Will you need to do both upper and lower foot rests ?

  • Joanie Joanie on Jun 19, 2019

    The grain wood will get uncomfortable like your feet, why not pad it and make a cover to match the feet pads......something in a shade that won't show dirt.....maybe some vinyl? Thank you for askin'.

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2 of 36 comments
  • Evelyn Evelyn on Jun 13, 2021

    Black is definitely the best option . Useful idea .

  • TOW16552530 TOW16552530 on Aug 09, 2021

    Could add a little color with pool noodles instead of pipe insulation. Of course it may not make the bend in the curved rung.

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