How to Build an Outdoor Chair - Start to Finish

I'm really happy with how these chairs turned out. They have a modern rustic look to them and they look fantastic on my front porch. There are a few angled cuts and it's easiest to assemble with an extra set of hands to help out, but it really is easy enough for any skill level to complete. If you want a truly rustic looks, use live edge pieces for the seat and chair back.

One chair uses four 2x4's and two 1x6's making it quite economical to build. I built two of these in October 2022 using cedar, and the total was $230 cdn (in Toronto).

Minimal tools needed:
Mitre saw
Power drill
Tape measure
Orbital sander (or sand manually with some gold old elbow grease)
C-clamp

Printable plans with step-by-step instructions:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/buildits...

Build Material:
Choose a wood that can withstand the elements in your area. Hardwood or pressure treated boards are a popular choice. Pressure treated lumber is easy to stain, durable and budget-friendly. You can also use cedar, redwood or another rot-resistant wood. They have a higher upfront cost but they’re extremely durable and look very nice.

Finishing
Pressure treated wood often accepts stain better after it weathers. Wait until the yellow-green wood turns gray, then apply your stain. If you don’t use pressure treated wood, stain your picnic table right away. Protect it with a weather-resistant polyurethane. Make sure you fully seal all surfaces, covering the sides, top and underneath. When staining pine, use a conditioner first to prevent blotching

#outdoorchair #patio #woodworkingplans