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DIY Outdoor Seating

September 12, 2014 by Amy 27 Comments

I have been wanting to add outdoor seating to my deck.  My deck is long and narrow, standard outdoor furniture sets won’t fit as intended.  So ‘outdoor seating’ has been on my to build list for a while.  I went to a DIY conference called Haven during the summer.  The great folks at Ryobi challenged the attendees to build one of four projects, for a contest.   You know I’m a sucker for contests, just the kick in the pants I need to get it done.  One of the projects is an outdoor sofa designed by Ana White.

Ana White Outdoor Sofa

First off I started shopping for cushions.  I did not want to build something and the cushions not fit, right!  I watched prices for a few weeks and in August, the cushions started to go on clearance.  YAY.  I grabbed a few sets of Sunbrella cushions at Lowe’s for about $22 per set, normally $98.  The black ones were 75% off + 10% off coupon.  *score*  The seat cushions measure 25″ x 25″ so they will work with Ana’s plans.

Since my space was limited, I wanted my outdoor seating to be a couch with a chaise for relaxing.  I also wanted the chaise part to kick out and become conversational seating.  The full 3 cushion sofa wouldn’t fit in the area that I wanted the seating, so I shrunk it to a love seat.  I pretty much followed Ana’s plans with a few adjustments.  You can download Ana’s plans from the Ryobi Nation site, but you have to have a free account.

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.com

I built the love seat from regular pine 2×4’s instead of cedar.  I shortened the long seat 2×4 to 50″.   Seat part of the sofa.  I glued each joint and used pocket holes to hide the screws.

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.com

The sides/arms went together slick too.  I screwed through the arms to attach to the sides.

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.com

When I sat on the sofa at Haven, it was really really stiff, I decided to switch the seat slats to 1×4’s hoping they’d flex a little more than 2×4’s.  Also my seat cushions may have been a little thicker than Ana’s, so I needed to add another board to raise the back support.  After all of the glue dried, I lightly sanded the love seat and sealed it with Thompson’s Water Seal.  Building the love seat was really easy, you can do it!

How to build the chair/chaise

Chair Cut List

Cut the following lengths from 2 x 4’s

  • 2 – 25 1/2″
  • 2 – 25″
  • 2 – 23 1/2″
  • 1 – 22″
  • 1 – 18″
  • 2 – 12 1/2″

Cut the following lengths from 1 x 4’s (furring strips)

  • 4 – 25″

Step 1

Join the two 12 1/2″ legs with the 18″ piece.  I used pocket holes and 2 1/2″ self tapping screws (Kreg or Deck screws are self tapping) and wood glue.

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.com

 

Step 2

Next assemble the back legs.  Join the 22″ piece with glue and 2 1/2″ pocket screws to the two 25 1/2″ pieces at 12 1/2″ from the bottom.  Attach a 25″ piece to the top of the 25 1/2″ legs.

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.comStep 3

Attach the 2 – 23 1/2″ pieces between the front and back legs.  Secure with glue and 2 1/2″ pocket screws.

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.com
Step 4

Attach the 1 x 4’s to the top of the seat.  The picture shows 5 – 1 x 4’s but 4 are good enough.  I used wood glue and 2″ brad nails.  If you need extra back support add a 25″ board to the top with 2 1/2″ screws.

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.comAfter all of the glue dries, lightly sand and seal it with Thompson’s WaterSeal.  If you want stained wood, Thompson’s also has all in one waterproofing stain in an aerosol can or by the gallon. Easy peasy right!!!  The wood only cost about $24, so a very economical option.Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.com
 I have loved having seating…it is so nice.  I also love this little side table.  You can grab the pattern here.  It’s made from a 2 x 10 and only costs about $12 to build!

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.com

Outdoor seating in chaise relax mode.

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.com

Easily scoot out the chair for conversational seating.

Build your own outdoor seating from 2x4's with these free and easy plans on hertoolbelt.com

Outdoor love seat and chair plans. Easily switch around your outdoor furniture layout. 2x4

Linked to my Favorite Link Parties, Remodelaholic, Savvy Southern Style

Related

Filed Under: Built From Scratch, Free Woodworking Plans, Outdoor Furniture Tagged With: DIY, outdoor, outdoor seating, sofa

Attention: Any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your work site. Hertoolbelt LLC will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer's operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

Comments

  1. terry says

    September 12, 2014 at 11:51 am

    Pictures never come through if there are pics when I click on your post.

    Reply
  2. Susan says

    September 12, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    So nice. You are very handy with the tools!

    Reply
  3. the cape on the corner says

    September 12, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    those look amazing! and i love that rug. enjoy!
    b

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 12, 2014 at 2:20 pm

      Thank you, the rug is an IKEA special 😉

      Reply
  4. Leslie @ House on the Way says

    September 15, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    Love! You are so talented! I’m hopping over to vote! Good luck.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 16, 2014 at 11:58 am

      Thanks so much Leslie!

      Reply
  5. Robin says

    September 16, 2014 at 5:36 am

    This is just amazing! Thanks so much for linking to Twirl and Take a Bow! xo

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 16, 2014 at 11:57 am

      Thank you Robin!

      Reply
  6. Ashley@Biggerthanthethreeofus says

    September 16, 2014 at 10:59 am

    You hit it out of the park again! Love! Pinning and would love to have you link up with us at The DIY’ers! http://biggerthanthethreeofus.com/the-diyers-16/

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 16, 2014 at 11:57 am

      Thanks Ashley!

      Reply
  7. Shirley Wood says

    September 17, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    I love Sunbrella products! You got a great prices on those cushions. I like your thinking of finding the cushions first! So glad you shared Pinning this. My hubs is good with wood, he could do this! He enjoys making things from scratch too.
    I would love for you to come and link this up with us at Home Matters Linky party! http://wp.me/p4fJXd-ZM

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 17, 2014 at 2:30 pm

      Thank you Shirley, your husband will have this whipped out in a couple of hours!

      Reply
  8. Brett says

    September 18, 2014 at 6:37 am

    This is FABULOUS! Would love to have you join us and link this up at the first Pretty Preppy Party this week (now thru next Thurs). Your awesome outdoor project links up to 5 blogs! http://being-bianca.com/2014/09/18/introducing-pretty-preppy-party/

    Reply
  9. AmieJo says

    September 18, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    Love it! We need outdoor furniture and I would love to make some. I have never used any of the big power tools so I am scared to tackle a project like this but I am pinning it and hopefully someday (like this spring) I will get enough courage to try it. Thank you. Oh I love how detailed you are. You make it seem easy to do.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 18, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      You can do it!

      Reply
  10. Kim (TheKimSixFix) says

    September 18, 2014 at 11:43 pm

    Voted!! I love this project. Sharing on my FB page!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 19, 2014 at 8:33 am

      Thanks Kim!!!

      Reply
  11. Jenny says

    September 19, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    Darling!! I want to make this fir my back patio! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  12. Liz @ Liz on Call says

    September 19, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    Amy this is awesome girl! You have some made furniture making skills. They turned out great! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 20, 2014 at 9:14 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  13. Emily says

    September 21, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    This is FANTASTIC! Beautiful! Pinning! Thanks for sharing with us at Your Designs This Time.
    Emily & Erin
    elizabethjoandesigns.com

    Reply
  14. Kristen from The Road to Domestication says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:10 am

    WOW! That is fantastic and really beautiful! Thanks for linking up at the #homematters linky party! We hope to see you again this coming Wednesday!

    Reply
  15. Jennifer @ Brave New Home says

    September 23, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    These are gorgeous! I’m looking for some end-of-the-season patio furniture right now and if I came across anything like this I would snatch it up. Thanks for linking up to The DIY’ers!

    Reply
  16. MAGDA ARROYO says

    April 11, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    I LIKE IT

    Reply
  17. Jen says

    July 23, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Would it be that much more complicated to turn this into a three seater? Love the simplicity of the design but would love a couch for 3.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      July 23, 2015 at 10:43 pm

      Hi Jen, here are the plans for the 3 seat version https://www.ryobitools.com/nation/projects/2651

      Reply
  18. Jenn says

    November 25, 2019 at 8:08 am

    Thank you! I wanted a simple chair without arms that could be built with just the spare wood scraps in my garage and yours was perfect! I loved your article, you made it so easy for me and I built the chair in about an hour and a half! And the next one will be perfect, I’m 100% certain! (I’m new to building things, especially by myself)

    Reply

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