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Outdoor Chair - Modern Comfort Collection

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modern outdoor seating diy
Difficulty
Intermediate
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Build your own outdoor side chair frame.  Our free plans make it easy!  Uses off the shelf materials and basic tools.  

Outdoor chair features an inclined seat and backrest, wide armrests and sturdy 2x construction.  Heavy (so won't blow away in the wind).  

Also build the matching sofa and matching loveseat.

Collections
Outdoor - Modern Comfort
modern outdoor chair frame diy plans
You'll love this substantial and so comfortable outdoor chair.  It's heavy - so won't blow away in the wind, and is heavy duty - so should last you a long time!

What Cushions to Use?

This outdoor chair is designed to work with most "deep seat" outdoor cushions.  The recommended size for the seat is 25" x 25" x 5" deep, with a back cushion of 25" (wide) x 18"-22" (tall) x 3" - 5" (deep).
Here's our pick from Amazon affiliate link, but you can also find these cushions at Lowe's (Allen and Roth makes a good one) and many other stores.

What Type of Wood?

We recommend cedar wood for building this sofa.  You can also use standard 2x lumber if it is fully sealed (painted or stained with an exterior grade finish) or treated - just please, paint and seal the chemicals in.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long

1 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long

2 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long

4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long

2-1/2" Kreg Pocket Hole screws (about 40)

2 -1/2" self tapping wood screws (about 30)

1-1/2" self tapping wood screws (about 8)

Cut List

4 - 2x4 @ 22" - legs

2 - 2x4 @ 34" - arm rests

2 - 2x4 @ 31" - arm supports

2 - 2x6 @ 31" - arm supports

2 - 2x6 @ 25-1/2" - bases

1 - 2x4 @ 25-1/2" - back

1 - 2x2 @ 25-1/2" - back rest top

4 - 2x4 @ 23-3/4" - back slats

1 - 2x6 @ 29-1/2" - back base

2 - 2x2 @ 29-1/2" - seat slat cleats

4 - 1x4 @ 23-1/2" - seat slats

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Miter Saw

Instructions

Step 1

Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on top of each of the legs.

Attach to the arm rest from underneath with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws.

Leg is shown upside down.

Step 2

Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the 2x4 side supports. 

Attach to the insides of the legs with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws.

Leg is shown upside down.

Step 3

Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the 2x6 end aprons.  Also drill three 1-1/2" pocket holes along one edge.

Attach inside the leg, flush to the outside, pocket holes hidden on insides, with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws.

Leg is shown upside down.

Step 4

Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the 2x6 and 2x4s shown.

Attach with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws to the legs, all pocket holes are on the insides, or facing downward.

Step 5

Attach 2x2 to the back slat pieces with 2-1/2" exterior self tapping screws.  Two screws per joint recommended.

Attach back slats to the base with 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws, with a 2" gap on each end, keeping the same spacing as the top.

Two screws per joint recommended.

Step 6

Set back inside the chair frame and attach with 2-1/2" self tapping screws to the side 2x6s and to the back.

Step 7

Attach seat slats cleats inside the chair frame with 2-1/2" self tapping screws.

Step 8

Lay seat slats down on the 2x2 cleats and attach wtih 1-1/2" self tapping screws.

Project Type
Chairs
Sofa
Room
Outdoor
Style
Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 06/10/2011 - 12:03

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to build one (actually) two and use them indoors...

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 06/10/2011 - 16:37

Never, ever a blah week! Thanks for posting. Just what I've been wanting to build. Thanks so much Ana. Can't wait to see how the momplex comes along! Thanks for including us in that venture!!

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 06/12/2011 - 09:08

After seeing this collection I am finally dedicated to making some great outdoor furniture for us to enjoy this summer! Seems like buying a Kreg will be necessary. It seems like there is a HUGE price difference $39-$140... any tips????

deanna_g

Tue, 06/21/2011 - 10:54

I highly recommend the $99 Kreg Jig system. I thought about buying the Jr. and seeing if I liked it first, but just decided to bite the bullet and do it the right way the first time. I LOVE my Kreg Jig. My husband is envious. (-;

Thomas (not verified)

Thu, 06/16/2011 - 06:25

I'm looking at the list of supplies and it says 4 - 1x3, but I only see the need for 3 boards based on the cuts.

Board 1: 25" + 16 1/4" + 16 1/4" + 16 1/4" + 16 1/4" = 90"
Board 2: 25" + 25" + 25" = 75"
Board 3: 25" + 25" = 50"

All are less than stud length. You end up with what the cuts list calls for: 6 - 25" sections and 4 - 16 1/4" sections.

What am I missing?

Thanks!

Thomas (not verified)

Fri, 06/17/2011 - 07:15

I just bought all the wood for 2 arm chairs and the sofa...came home to order the cushions from Target. They are NO LONGER on the Target website!! They were there yesterday. I CHECKED. They have none of them in any color. Now I have to find cushions.

Frustrated,
Thomas

Simone (not verified)

Wed, 08/24/2011 - 09:27

Olá , adorei seu site , estava procurando muito algo assim , onde tivesse as medidas dos projetos , muito legal da sua parte dispor para nós , leigos em marcenaria .Comprei uma casa , onde terei que reforma-la , e mobilia-la,como aqi no Brasil , as casas não são tão grandes como as daí , tem muitas ideias que poderi aproveitar ....

Obrigada .

Beijos
Simone

Riley (not verified)

Thu, 04/19/2012 - 20:48

Am I crazy? The cut list has 1x2s but the buy list does not?

Peter Cwik

Tue, 06/12/2012 - 16:27

Ana,
Is there a SketchUp of this chair or the other "Simple White" items? I've made some changes and would like to update the plans, and not start from scratch if possible.

Sue_McL

Sun, 08/05/2012 - 13:04

Love the plan but want to raise the seat height to about 20" total. Will adding another 8 3/4" in height require changing the legs from 2x2 to 2x4s?

BadgerBen82

Tue, 10/12/2021 - 18:06

I don’t know why I’m struggling to figure out how to adjust these dimensions so that a cushion size of 22.5" L x 5.0" H x 22.5" W. I know these plans are made for 25x25 cushions. Do i just reduce all cuts by 2.5 inches? It just seems off to me for some reason! Any help is appreciated