Why make outdoor DIY chairs?
Adding extra seating to your outdoor area with these free DIY chairs is a great way to add style for little cost. You will find that these plans are easy to follow and, in the end, can save you a ton of money and get you exactly what you want for your outdoor space.
Overall, the DIY chair build is very similar to the DIY couch and sectional. These outdoor wooden patio chairs are a part of set.
The total cost, excluding cushions, is only about $85. They’ll add a lot of style for little cost to your deck, porch, or yard.
What are the specs of the DIY chairs?
These modern outdoor patio chairs are made from 2×4 lumber and only require 4 different cuts. You can use common Douglas fir wood or redwood.
These DIY chairs plans are for a 24-inch x 24-inch base cushion. Cushions can be purchased at stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Target, and Amazon.
These chairs are designed to match with the table, pergola, and 3-seater in the photo. Plans for the bench and table are available. Now you can make a complete furniture set.
These can be stained or painted to match your patio, deck, pergola, or back yard perfectly.
Beginners in woodworking can build this bench with these easy-to-follow step by step instructions.
Time to build
3.5 hours (per chair)
Total cost of build
$85 (cushions and pillows not included in cost estimate)
Skill level required
Beginner-Intermediate
Download the PDF plans
Outdoor wood patio chair PDF plans
What is included in the PDF download?
- Easy to read step by step instructions
- Material list
- Cut list
- Tools needed
- 3D illustrations
- Helpful links to materials/tools needed
Recommend tools for this project
- Saw (miter saw recommended for precision cuts)
- Drill
- Impact driver with bit for screws
- GRIP Clamps
- Sander
- wood countersink drill bit
- Pipe clamp grip, tie downs, or straps.
- 2.5 lbs of 2.5-inch-long screws (highly recommend T25 Star Drive screws)
- Wood glue
- Sand paper
- Pencil
Cut list and material list
Available with purchase of PDF plans.
Step 1 (DIY patio chair frame assembly)
Gather two of the 24-in pieces and two of the 22.5-in pieces. Lay them out as shown in the diagram. It is recommended to predrill the wood prior to putting in a screw to prevent the wood from splitting. What works for me is to us a wood countersink drill bit.
Apply wood glue to all surfaces that will be joined together. Too much dry glue can be difficult to sand off and does not stain well.
Step 2 (DIY patio chair arm rest assembly)
Next, take two 27-1/2 inch 2×4 lumber pieces and two 22-1/2 inch 2×4 lumber pieces and arrange them as shown below. Add glue, predrill holes, and add 2.5 inch screws.
Step 3 (DIY patio chair arm rest assembly continued)
Next, add a 22-1/2 inch 2×4 lumber pieces to the arm rest. It needs to be indented by 1.5 inches. I use a spacer from 2×4 lumber scrap wood for this step since the 2×4 is 1.5 inches thick.
As before, add glue, predrill, and add 2.5 inch screws.
Next, make a second arm rest identical to the one you just made for a total of two arm rests.
Step 4 (DIY patio chair arm rest assembly continued)
Next, add 27 inch long 2×4 lumber pieces to both of the arm rests.
BE CAREFUL! Make sure that the 27 inch long 2×4 pieces are places in a mirrored fashion to eachother. This is indicated by the red arrows in the diagram.
Once you ensure the proper placement of the 27 inch 2×4 lumber pieces then as before, add glue, predrill, and add screws.
Step 5 (Attaching chair frame to chair armrest)
Next, set the frame up right on top of one of the armrests.
In this step make sure that glue is applied to the areas that will make contact. Get help to balance the frame. Secure the frame with clamps for stability and a more solid joint.
As before, predrill and add screws.
Add both vertical and diagonal screws as shown below for a secure joint.
Repeat this for the other arm rest as well.
Step 6 (Attaching backrest)
Next, add a 24 inch 2×4 lumber pieces across the back of the bench for the back rest.
Secure the lumber piece with either a tie-down/ratchet strap, or a pipe clamp (Both options displayed below)
As before, add glue, predrill, and add the diagonal screws to secure the joint.
Next, add a 24-inch 2×4 lumber pieces to the back rest as shown below. Add glue, predrill, and add 2.5 inch screws.
Step 7 (Adding decking pieces)
Next, add six 24 inch 2×4 lumber pieces to make the seating platform of the bench.
Space them out about 7/8 inches apart.
As before, add glue, predrill, and add 2.5 inch screws.
Step 8 (Finishing touches)
Next, sand down the whole chair. This can be time consuming. I use an orbital sander to speed up the process
I use a rough 80 grit paper first and then finish it with a 220 grit paper.
Filling in the holes is optional.
At this point it is ready to be stained or painted!
