DIY Tree Stump Footstool With Secret Storage Compartment

The video is not very long. Watching it will give you a step-by-step look at how we created our project. A full list of tools and materials we used can be found on our website.

We sourced the stump for this project well over a year ago and, it's been hanging out in the garage drying all that time. Steph loves to bring natural elements into her home decor and she thought the stump would make a unique footstool for her living room.

First step is to source a log. We found ours thanks to a tip from our UPS driver. We brought it home and let it dry out for over a year.

The first thing we did was to cut off this random branch. We also used a multi-tool to take off some of that front edge to make it a bit more even. We also brushed off as much loose bark from the stump as we could.

We sealed the top and the bottom with a brush with spar urethane.

Once the top and bottom were dry, we used a Bernzomatic torch to char the bark to give it a rich, dark finish.

We torched it twice, and after each burning, we brushed off these white bits with a wire brush.

To seal the outside, to hopefully keep the bark from flaking, we sprayed on many coats of spray lacquer.

Attaching casters gives the footstool lots of mobility so Steph can use it where she needs it.

We upholstered the top with a fun dog print and attached it to the top with velcro.

The secret compartment is actually where the wood decayed. We used epoxy to give it a flat bottom. Now it's a great place to store small valuables or to keep doggie treats close at hand!

Uh, Mac the greyhound knows where her treats are now!

The footstool is a great addition to Steph's rustic modern decor.

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