My idea of the perfect step stool is Le Corbusier’s LC14 Cabanon. Proportioned according to a deep study of human scale, it is really an apple box made exact: solid wood, precise dimensions, cut-outs for carrying, and designed to be turned according to the height needed. A stepladder is useful at home, but rarely nearby. It has to be retrieved, unfolded, folded again, and returned to its place. A one- or two-step stool, I’ve found, is the more agreeable arrangement. It can remain in the room, ready for reaching a top shelf, bringing children up to the counter or sink, and occasionally standing in as a side table. A proper stepladder still has its place, but for everything just out of reach, these are the best wooden step stools I’ve found to date.
From top left:
Le Corbusier LC14 Cabanon
The aforementioned Le Corbusier design from 1952, one of a series of designs for Le Cabanon de Cap-Martin. I’ve seen these stools in person used as dining table chairs, bedside tables, and movable stools shuffled around for all sorts of functions, including as a step stool. Today, the LC14 is made in Italy in chestnut by Cassina.
Ishinomaki Laboratory AA Stool
Designed by Japanese studio Torafu Architects in collaboration with Ishinomaki Laboratory, the AA Stool is super genius—made from standard lumber cut diagonally to form trestle supports. It’s a tall stool! So the bottom plank is really the “step,” while the upper seat sits just above standard chair height. Shown are two stools together—they come as a pair—which can be separated or grouped with additional sets to form a long bench. This one is decidedly more robust than a standard step stool.
Bautier Step Stool
I love all things by Belgian designer Marina Bautier, and her step stool is among them. It’s made in Germany from either solid oak with a clear oil finish (shown) or green lacquer. It has two smart cut-outs at the top, almost like a bowling ball, for moving it from place to place.
Sundays Step On Me Stool
This stool earns a spot on this list for its serious versatility. It is essentially two short stools that can nest together, pull apart to form a two-step stool, or can be used separately. It’s made from solid ash or comes in a grassy-green stain.
Summer Studio for Commune Step Stool
A collaboration between Los Angeles-based Summer Studio and Commune, this quintessential step stool is inspired by Shaker furniture and made from solid white oak with brass hardware.
Ishinomaki Laboratory Carry Stool
Another design from Ishinomaki Laboratory, this time by Tomoko Azumi, the Carry Stool functions as a single stool but, when turned upside down, becomes a tray, gardening trug, or catch-all. It is made in Japan from Noto Hiba wood.
Brian Persico Step Stool
Based in Oak Hill, New York, Brian Persico Studio—made up of Brian and his partner, Hannah—makes this traditional Shaker step stool with dovetail joinery and a lithe yet sturdy profile. It’s available with two or three steps in ebonized oak, black walnut, American cherry, bleached maple, or a natural linseed oil paint.
Fritz Hansen Noboru Step Ladder
Designed for Fritz Hansen by Canadian studio MSDS, the untreated solid-oak Noboru is designed to function as a short ladder, side table, or seat. The bottom step tucks neatly within the top step for storage.
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Simon Legald for Normann Copenhagen Stretch Stool
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