Houndstooth Step Stool
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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
Here is our houndstooth inspired creation – kid-friendly colors:
http://www.educttapecrafts.com/duct-tape-makeover-side-table-for-little-girls-room/
Hi Christina – It looks great – perfect for a kid’s room. I know my girls would have liked it. My older daughter used that color green to paint her room when she was in Jr. High. Thanks for sharing your project with me.
We are working on a furniture makeover for a little girls room with solid green and also a pink houndstooth duct tape. We tweeted this as inspiration to our followers and posted a link on our Facebook page. Love it!
I see the stool online @ Ikea. I was wondering if you know how much weight the little stool would hold, e.g., 200 lbs????
I looked online, but it didn’t specify.
Thanks.
Hi Cjay – It is one solid little stool. A 200 lb person could use it – no problem.
I’ve seen patterened duct tape at Staples, too! ;)
I wanted to say thank you very much for this. Just as I was contemplating how to finish mine, your picture popped up. I found some colored duct tape at Hobby Lobby to cover the stool in my children’s bathroom. Worked great! Wish I could show you a picture.
Thanks again!
Such a great look!
Also, thank you for your font selections.
[email protected]
So elegant, you have such a great eye!
Diane, this is so cool. It looks fabulous with your shelf too. Never would have thought of duct tape!!
What a cute idea!!! I JUST gave away a little stool like this. Wish I’d seen this tute before I sent it away to Goodwill!
HI Maggie – Isn’t that always the way. I know as soon as I get rid of something I will find a use for it. Happens all the time :)
Brilliant, just brilliant! I so wish I had an Ikea in my area.
I can’t pay for S & H for this gorgeous step stool. But I recently found online Ikea to have sheers for a small amount of money. They are longer than average and only $4.99 per a pair (yes two panels)!!!! I have not seen them in person and wonder if they look good.
Your house is so beautifully co ordinated….. how do you find the wonderful prints you use… fabric, craft paper and just everything is so beautiful.
Thank you for all your help and inspirations…. I am still wanting that 3 D Gallery, the wonderful dresser in your guest room and … well just everything.
Love, Love, Love the stool!!!! I will definitely add this one to my to do list!! (I am a shorty too!)I work at Michaels here in Charlotte and we have tons and tons of decorative Duck Tape, including hounds-tooth! Try checking your local location, they can even special order it for you! Keep up the great work with your site, I am hooked!!!!
Hi Danneel – Thanks so much for the tip on getting Michaels to special order the Houndstooth tape for me. I am going there tomorrow and will ask :) Thanks
I love it!!! What a great idea! (You’re so clever!)
I am a big fan of houndstooth anything, and I’m a huge fan of the Duck Brand. I love all of their patterns.
Hi Viv –
You got me hooked on the stuff XO Your pumpkin is one of favorite crafty DIY projects ever! Looking forward to seeing you at Snap.
That is so cute! I also love the book shelves. Is that wall paper or a stencil?
Thanks Adrienne – I made cardboard backdrops for the shelves and covered them with sheets. I wrote a post on how I did it. You can find it here: https://inmyownstyle.com/2012/04/ikea-billy-bookcase-makeover.html
What a great idea! I have two little boys so it seems like I have a stepstool in just about every room. They are pretty beat up and I hide them when company comes over. Now I know just what I will do to make them look nicer and stand up to kids feet! Thanks!
So much fun and who needs to know it’s duct tape!
Another houndstooth fan here.! My Michaels store carries the houndstooth duct tape, along with other designs. I’ve decorated the covers of a small notebook from the dollar store that I keep it in my purse. It takes a beating and the edges haven’t frayed.
I also like the pink polka dot patterned duct tape. I’ve used it to hem the leading edge of some draperies in my no-sew window treatments eBook. There is also a zebra pattern tape that I used to trim grass mats for curtains in the book.
Love your stool. It will be easy to keep clean, should wear well, and I doubt it will be too slippery.
Diane,
What a cool way to use Duct Tape!! I so enjoy your creativity.
Lisa
Fantastic project! The University of Alabama is a BIG user of Houndstooth (Bear Bryant) so if you happen to be in Tuscaloosa, AL or can locate a store there….they have it. My husband is going this weekend & I will have him grab a roll or two if he sees any. I will send it to you :)
Roll Tide!
Hi Jane – Thanks for offering to get me some. Another reader told me I could special order it at my Michaels. I am going to do that tomorrow. I have a good friend who is a big Alabama fan. All 3 of her kids went there. She never misses a game :)
Hi Diane, Your step stool is sweet. Love the houndstooth!
just curious if the duct tape makes the step stool a slippery surface to stand on in any way? thank you!
Hi Cathy – the tape does not make the stool slippery at all. It almost feels rubbery- which is a good thing.
I used some of this decorative duct tape recently when I wanted to make a cute (but PRIVATE) book cover to hide the fact that I was reading “50 Shades of Grey” while commuting to work! HA!! :) Isn’t that stuff great? (Great project by the way, Diane!)
Serena
Thrift Diving
Pretty funny Serena :) Might as well cover up in style, right?
Diane,
This is so cute. And you know what I have the very same stool in my garage in the box. I just bought it two weeks ago. I’m in the middle of a laundry room make over so I have not even thought what I will do with it but certainly something crafty!!! Love the Houndstooth.
Did you try JoAnn’s or Michael’s for the tape? They carry the line but not sure about the houndstooth. Great project!!
Hi Vicki – I have looked at both places. I will keep looking every time I go – maybe they will eventually get it it. They have many different patterns, but not the Houndstooth :(
I’ve always loved Houndstooth, but I’m also wondering if a coat or two of Mod Podge might prevent the edges of the tape from getting ragged? Having the tape develop ragged, dirty edges happened to me with a Duck Tape project, though it was something that got a lot more wear than this cute stool is likely to get.
Hi Marty – A coat or two of Mod Podge would work well to keep the edges from getting ragged after awhile. Everything is better with a coat or two of Mod Podge :)
Your ideas amaze me!