Houndstooth Step Stool
How to decorate an IKEA Bekvam stool using duct tape.
I have another easy furniture before & after decorating idea for you today. One that you can complete in less than 30 minutes and have you stepping in style!
This IKEA furniture makeover is a little bit different from the norm of using paint or decorative paper to complete the transformation. Instead, to give a plain stool a little bit of chic, I looked around to find something easy that anyone could do and that was very affordable. I used duct tape.
Yes, duct tape – not the boring grey kind, but classic Houndstooth pattern Duck brand tape. It is the perfect surface covering for a step stool, strong and tough that can take getting stepped on repeatedly.
I love Houndstooth – classic and chic, the pattern goes with everything and anything – upscale to lowly – it fits right into any decorating scheme.
I found out about this chic tape last fall when when saw that Viv at The V Spot covered a pumpkin with it. I knew immediately that I had to get my hands on a roll or two. It was not easy. I looked at every store that carried the decorative Duck Brand tapes, checked online, but no Houndstooth. Then one day, there it was in ACMoore – one roll. I snatched it up. At the time, I had no idea what I would be doing with it, but did know – I had to have it! It has been in my craft cabinet until recently – as you can see, I found a way to use it.
I have a few tall stools to sit on in my house, a metal one in my kitchen, the one I recently added a monogram to use with my sewing machine, and a tall preppy pink one that I use at my worktable in my studioffice, but no sturdy shorter step stool. A trip to IKEA solved that.
How to Transform an IKEA Bekvam Stool Using Houndstooth Duct Tape:
before
The original finish on the IKEA BEKVAM stool is beechwood– cost $14.99.
I like the simple design with the built in handle on the top. As with everything from IKEA, I had to put it together first with the handy little screwdriver that comes with all their furniture.
supplies needed:
- paint
- paintbrush
- 1 roll of Houndstooth or pattern duct tape
- Scissors and a craft knife
Step 1: I painted it white and let it dry.
Step 2: Once the paint was dry, I ran a piece of fine grit sandpaper over the surface to smooth the surface and then cleaned it off with a tack cloth. Duct tape sticks better to very clean and dry surfaces.
How to Apply the Duct Tape
The Houndstooth pattern is easy to match up. Cut each strip/piece of duct tape long enough to wrap underneath the top edge of the stool and step.
1. Make sure to place the very first piece of tape on your surface so the pattern is straight, then keep adding one strip/piece at a time, slightly overlapping the previous piece and matching up the pattern until you have the entire surface covered.
2. Rub your fingers over the edges of the tape to make sure each is adhered. The warmth of your fingers going over the edges a few times will smooth them down.
3. Remove excess tape under the steps with a craft knife.
How to Neatly Cover the Corners
- Cut the excess tape at each corner as shown.
- Fold over the bottom strip. Cut excess if necessary.
- Repeat for the side strip.
- Then bring the top strip down and trim excess. Smooth with your fingers to make sure it is adhered.
Simple, chic, classic. I can place my houndstooth covered IKEA Bekvam stool in any room and it automatically goes with the color and style of the room.
Now I can reach all the high places around my house easily. Much better than dragging a kitchen chair around to help me when I need a boost in height.
I went online to the Duck Brand website to see if I could order more rolls, but they don’t sell it online – they only list stores in that carry it.
Your best bet in finding it is to check out craft stores. Target and Walmart carry the line in the home improvement area, not in the craft department of the store. If you do find it, let me know as I would love to have another roll or two.
More Stool Makeovers You May Like:
- The Stool That Nobody Wanted Made Into an Ottoman
- Plain to Preppy Stool Makeover Using DIY Chalk Paint
- How To Make No Sew Kitchen Stool Top Covers
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