5 Industrial Style Pipe Chairs & How to Build Them

5 Industrial Style Pipe Chairs & How to Build Them

Many of our customers and visitors build with pipe for its industrial look. The industrial aesthetic has become exceedingly popular these days incorporating many different elements such as reclaimed wood, tarnished pipe, aged metal, and more. Whether's it in a home, restaurant, bar, office, the industrial look can add a unique vibe that spices up an otherwise bland environment. One way to add this industrial look to a room is in the furniture itself. We have many different furniture pipe projects that feature industrial pipe but in this post we're going to talk specifically about industrial style pipe chairs.

Although, many people choose to build pipe chairs using plumbing pipe, Kee Klamp makes for a much easier and simple solution when building these types of chairs. Kee Klamp is easy to use requiring just an Allen Wrench to assemble and allows for adjustability in that you can adjust the frame of the chair easily even after assembly.

To help get you started creating your own pipe chair, here are 5 industrial style pipe chairs and how to build each of them:

Industrial Pipe Chair

1
Industrial Pipe Chair

This chair features a fairly standard design that utilizes wood boards for the seat and backrest while pipe creates the chair frame. The pipe has been slightly tarnished and the woad boards use reclaimed wood that has been sanded down to enhance the industrial look. The open, exposed fittings on the side of the frame also add to the industrial look but if you don't like the open fittings you can alternatively use the Single Socket Tee or cap off the pipe using the Malleable plug.

Description:

This chair features a fairly standard design that utilizes wood boards for the seat and backrest while pipe creates the chair frame. The pipe has been slightly tarnished and the woad boards use reclaimed wood that has been sanded down to enhance the industrial look. The open, exposed fittings on the side of the frame also add to the industrial look but if you don't like the open fittings you can alternatively use the Single Socket Tee or cap off the pipe using the Malleable plug.


How to Assemble

Industrial Pipe Chair Plans

Figure 1.1

To assemble this chair, start by building each side of the chair frame. From there you will be able to join them together to complete the chair assembly. To construct the side of the chair frame, first start by laying out the components as pictured above in Figure 1.1. From there you can begin to assemble the chair by following the above image.

Keep in mind that the Single Swivel Socket will slide onto the pipe used for the backrest. It will be used to connect the arms of the chair to the back of the chair frame. You can set this at any height you like but just be sure to put this fitting on before capping off the pipe at the top with the Single Socket Tee and at the bottom with the Adjustable Side Outlet fitting.

Another thing to note, is that the Adjustable Side Outlet Tee will allow you to adjust the angle of the backrest. When you use this fitting, set the desired angle (this will represent the angle of the backrest), and then tighten down the set screw to secure it.

Industrial Pipe Chair Plans

Figure 1.2

With both sides of the chair frame assembled, you can now join them together. Four pipes will join the two sides together. On each of the sides, there should be an open socket end in two Combination Socket Tee and Crossover fittings, the Adjustable Side Outlet Tee, and Single Socket Tee. Slide a pipe into each of these open sockets on one side of the frame and tighten down the respective set screws to secure it. Then slide the other half of the pipe into the open socket ends on the other side of the pipe frame and tighten down the respective set screws to finish the pipe frame.

Industrial Pipe Chair Plans

Figure 1.3

You should now have a complete pipe chair frame as pictured above in figure 1.3. How you attach the wood board to the frame is completely up to you. You can simply rest the wood across the frame to complete the chair, attach it using twine, or drill it into the pipe. You can also use one of our fittings, the Sheeting Clip, to attach the wood seat to the frame.

Industrial Pipe Chair Plans

Figure 1.4

Industrial Style Bar Stool

2
Pipe Bar Stools

Description:

This stool features a simple design that utilizes just two different types of fittings. The fittings and pipe create the frame while a wood board is attached to the frame to create the seat. The pipe is slightly tarnished in the above example and adds to the industrial look.


Pipe Bar Stool Plans

Figure 2.1

To assemble the stool, start by building each of the two sides of the stool frame which can then be joined together. To build the side, start by laying out the pipe and components to resemble the image above, Figure 2.1.

You will be using two different types of fittings in this project, the Single Socket Tee and the Rail Support fittings. The Rail Support fittings are used to attach the wood seat to the frame while the Single Socket Tee fittings help to build the shape of the frame.

The Rail Support fittings will slide onto the top pipe of the side of the frame. Slide two of these fittings onto the pipe, space them evenly apart, and tighten down the set screw to solidify the connection.

From there, you can follow Figure 2.1 to assemble the side of the chair.

 

Pipe Bar Stool Plans

Figure 2.2

With the two sides assembled, you can now join them together. The two sides are joined together using a single pipe connected to the open socket ends on the Single Socket Tee fittings at the bottom of the frame. Slide the pipe into one of the open sockets and tighten down the set screw. Then slide the other half of the pipe into the open socket end on the Single Socket Tee on the other side and tighten down the set screw to secure it.

Pipe Bar Stool Plans

Figure 2.3

You should now have a complete pipe frame as pictured above in figure 2.3.

 

Pipe Bar Stool Plans

Figure 2.4

The wood seat will attach to each of the Rail Support fittings at the top of the frame. The size of the screws will be dependant on the type of material and thickness of the material you are attaching, so be sure to pick up the appropriate hardware for your use.

Slide the screws through the holes on each of the Rail Support fittings and screw into the wood seat to finish the stool. You should now have a complete stool as pictured in Figure 2.5 below.

Pipe Bar Stool Plans

Figure 2.5

Vintage Industrial Chair

3
Vintage Pipe Chair

Description:

Although the above example is created using both plumbing pipe and welded connections in some spots, it can easily be recreated using Kee Klamp fittings. Pipe and fittings are used to create the frame while wood boards placed across the top create the seat. The wood boards are attached using twine by drilling a hole through the boards, stringing it through, wrapping it around the pipe, and then tying it down.

Specs:

  • Width: 13"
  • Depth: 13"
  • Height: 37"

Assembly:

  • clock 1 Lunchtime
  • wrench Allen Key, Twine (for attaching wood to frame)

What's included:

All of the pipe and fittings needed to assemble the chair.

What's not:

Wood for Seating, Twine, Tools

Sourced from This is not IKEA

Vintage Industrial Chair Plans

Figure 3.1

To assemble the chair, start by laying out all the components similar to Figure 3.1 pictured above. One Single Socket Tee will slide onto the pipe positioned to back of the frame while another will slide onto the pipe positioned towards the front of the frame.

The Single Socket Tee at the back of the frame will be used to set the height of the seat. Slide this up or down the pipe until you position it to the height you like. The Single Socket Tee to the front of the frame will be used for the footrest. Again, position the fitting at the desired height and tighten down.

From there, you can finish assembling the frame by sliding each fitting on as pictured above in figure 3.1.

Vintage Industrial Chair Plans

Figure 3.2

With each side of the frame assembled, you can now join them together to complete the pipe chair frame. These two sides are joined together by two pipes, one connected to the open socket end on the Single Socket Tee fittings at the bottom of the frame and one connected to the open socket end on the 90 Degree Elbow fittings at the top of the frame.

Vintage Industrial Chair Plans

Figure 3.3

You should now have a complete pipe chair frame as picture above in Figure 3.3. How you attach the wood board to the frame is completely up to you. You can simply rest the wood across the frame to complete the chair, attach it using twine, or drill it into the pipe. You can also use one of our fittings, the Sheeting Clip, to attach the wood seat to the frame.

Vintage Industrial Chair Plans

Figure 3.4

Black Pipe Chair

4
Black Pipe Chair

Sourced from JilliAnney

Description:

This chair utilizes just one type of fitting to create the pipe frame. Its winding design gives a unique look to an already industrial piece of furniture. The pipe and fittings create the frame and wood boards placed across the frame create the seat. The frame has also been painted black and pairs well with darker color wood.

Specs:

  • Width: 18"
  • Depth: 17"
  • Height: 34"

Assembly:

  • clock 0.5 Hours
  • wrench Allen Key, Hardware to Attach Wood to Frame

What's included:

All of the pipe and fittings needed to assemble the chair.

What's not:

Wood for Seating, Hardware to Attach Wood to Frame, Tools, Paint For Black Color

Black Pipe Chair Plans

Figure 4.1

To build this chair, start by creating each of the two sides of the chair frame which you can then join together afterward. This chair features a winding design created by an S shape in the sides of the chair frame. To assemble these sides, lay out your pipe and fittings in an S shape as pictured above in Figure 4.1.

You will only use one type of fitting, the 90 Degree Elbow, in the construction of the frame. Start by sliding the 90 Degree Elbow onto the top length of the pipe and tighten down the set screw. Then slide the other half of the pipe into another 90 Degree Elbow. Keep repeating this process until you have an S shape. Once you have one side done, repeat the same process for the other side. You should have two sides of the frame formed in an S shape.

Be sure to keep the 90 Degree Elbow Fittings at the top and bottom of the frame pointing outwards as this will be used to join the other side of the chair.

Black Pipe Chair Plans

With the two sides created, you can now join them together. The sides are joined together by just two pipes inserted into the open socket end on the 90 Degree Elbow fittings. Slide the side onto the pipe and tighten down the set screw. Do this for both the bottom and top of the frame. Then do the same thing for the other side to complete the chair. You should now have a complete pipe chair frame as pictured below in Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2

Black Pipe Chair Plans

Figure 4.3

How you attach the wood board to the frame is completely up to you. You can simply rest the wood across the frame to complete the chair, attach it using twine, or drill it into the pipe. You can also use one of our fittings, the Sheeting Clip, to attach the wood seat to the frame.

Black Pipe Chair Plans

Figure 4.3

Antique Metal Pipe Stool

5
Antique Metal Pipe Stool

Sourced from Foter

Description:

Again, this design features pipe and fittings to create the frame while a wood seat attached to the frame completes the stool. One single pipe attaches to the seat while the base spreads out into four legs to provide the necessary amount of stability.

Antique Metal Pipe Stool Plans

Figure 5.1

To assemble the stool, start with the Four Socket Cross, sliding each length of pipe into its respective socket as pictured above in Figure 5.1. Then tighten down the set screws to solidify the connection.

Antique Metal Pipe Stool Plans

Figure 5.2

Now, you can slide the 90 Degree Elbow onto each of the pipe ends and tighten down the set screws. From there, slide each pipe into their respective 90 Degree Elbow to create the legs as seen above in Figure 5.2. Tighten down the set screws to secure it. Optionally, you can add the Malleable Plug fittings to cap of the bottom of the feet/legs.

Antique Metal Pipe Stool Plans

Figure 5.3

Now, with the base assembled, you can slide the pipe into the base to create the height for the stool. The height of the pipe is up to you. The stool can even allow for some adjustability by sliding the pipe further through the slip-on joint on the Four Socket Cross. However, this would make the pipe stick out past the base.

If you don't want the pipe to stick out past the top of the base, slide the pipe into the slip-on joint in the middle of the Four Socket Cross just enough to secure it in the fitting and tighten down. Again, if you like, you can cap this off using the Malleable Plug.

Now, you can slide the Flange fitting on top of the pipe and tighten it down.

Antique Metal Pipe Stool Plans

Figure 5.4

The wood seat will attach to this Flange fitting using four wood screws. The size of the screws will be dependant on the type of material and thickness of the material you are attaching, so be sure to pick up the appropriate hardware for your use.

Slide the screws through the holes on the Flange fitting and screw into the wood seat to finish the stool. You should now have a complete stool as pictured in Figure 5.5 below.

Antique Metal Pipe Stool Plans

Figure 5.5

If you are still having trouble assembling your pipe chair or need design assistance,contact our Projects Team and they will be happy to help. For more inspiration, try browsing our Projects area to come up with your own personal design.

Our Team is Here to Help

Simplified Building Team

Our experts will help you select the items you need to create your project.

Shopping Cart

Show Pricing

Option available in footer.