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Outdoor Sofa - Modern Comfort Collection

outdoor sofa with reclining back rest
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Difficulty
Intermediate
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Build your own outdoor sofa.  Modern style, reclined seat and back for increased comfort.  Fits standard 25" x 25" deep seat cusions. Free step by step plans from Ana-White.com

Matching loveseat plans available here and matching chair plans available here.

Collections
Outdoor - Modern Comfort
Photo by AMIEALEJANDRO

What Type of Wood to Use?

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.

Where to Get Cushions?

There's alot of great options for cushions.  You can easily modify this plan to fit almost any size cushion, but we recommend "deep seat" cushions.
  • This plan is based off a 25" x 25" x 5" deep seat cushion and a 25" x 22" x 5" deep back cushion (most popular option Amazon affiliate link).
  • You can also use a 24" x 24" deep cushion with minimal modification, but will need to make the distance between the arm rests 3" less.
  • If you use 24" deep x 22" wide cushions, you will need to make the distance between the armrests 9" less.
  • Back cushions should match width of the seat cushions, the pillow height should be between 18" and 25" to cover the wood back rest.

Updated Plans

This plan has been updated from the Simple White Outdoor Collection to feature wider arm rests, easier to build, and a sturdier 2x construction.  
Dimensions
outdoor sofa dimensions
Dimensions shown in diagram

Preparation

Shopping List

3 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long

4 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long

6 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long

2 - 1x4 @ 10 feet long

(50) 2-1/2" self tapping exterior wood screws

(50) 2-1/2" pocket hole screws

(20) 1-1/2" self tapping exterior wood screws

Cut List

4 - 2x4 @ 22" - legs

2 - 2x4 @ 34" - arm rests

2 - 2x4 @ 31" - arm supports

2 - 2x6 @ 31" - arm supports

2 - 2x6 @ 75-1/2" - bases

1 - 2x4 @ 75-1/2" - back

1 - 2x2 @ 75-1/2" - back rest top

9 - 2x4 @ 23-3/4" - back slats

1 - 2x6 @ 79-1/2" - back base

2 - 2x2 @ 79-1/2" - seat slat cleats

10 - 1x4 @ 23-1/2" - seat slats

Cutting Instructions

Cut boards with a compound miter saw.

Tools
Tape Measure
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular 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.

TIP: Attach ends and middle first, then evenly space remaining, to avoid uneven gaps between the back slats.

Step 6

Attach back 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.

NOTE: There is an error in this diagram, the base should be 79-1/2" long and the overhangs on the ends should be 2" long.

Step 7

Place the back inside the sofa frame and attach at the base 8" inward with 2-1/2" self tapping screws.

The top leans on the back (see next step).

Step 8

Attach a few of the back slats to the back with 2-1/2" self tapping screws.

Step 9

Attach 2x2 to 2x6  with 2-1/2" self tapping screws, screws about every 12".

Step 10

Add the front cleat with 2-1/2" screws to the front, about 1" down from the front top edge.

Step 11

Place seat slats on top of the 2x2s and screw down with 1-1/2" screws (only one per joint is needed).

Project Type
Sofa
Outdoor Projects
Room
living room
Outdoor
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans
Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

chirp219

Tue, 10/23/2012 - 09:52

you did an awesome job, and love the stain! I myself cant draw a sraight line... i was interested in having someone build this for me, curious if you would be interested in building sofa, 2 chairs, 2 endtables and coffee table? Located in texas.. thanks

chirp219

Tue, 10/23/2012 - 09:52

you did an awesome job, and love the stain! I myself cant draw a sraight line... i was interested in having someone build this for me, curious if you would be interested in building sofa, 2 chairs, 2 endtables and coffee table? Located in texas.. thanks

Awnay (not verified)

Sat, 06/16/2012 - 20:15

Go to the listing and to the right of the shipping line is a 'report item' url. It doesnt give an exact match to report, but just work your way through it, and post the link to here. =)

givehugsprn

Mon, 06/18/2012 - 22:58

This same guy is also selling other plans off Ana-White! He sold 5 copies of this plan for $7.00 each. I have sent him an e-mail and am waiting for a response.

Raised Flower Garden Deck Patio Back Yard Plantar Boxes

Neece (not verified)

Tue, 06/19/2012 - 10:04

I physically called Ebay and let them know that the seller was selling items that were not his to sell. I couldn't figure out how to report him otherwise. They were very helpful in taking the information and I hope he is unable to sell through Ebay again.

patrick1973 (not verified)

Sat, 09/15/2012 - 06:14

i plan to bui9ld my wife the sofa and chairs and i am not sure which Jig to purchase? either the $40 R3 or the $99 K4.

i know for sure i will build these 3 pieces so wondering which is easiest to use on this furniture. may tackle some other products in the future,, so should i just spring for the $99 K4?
thank you,
Patrick

gary

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 12:57

I love what you have done with the sofa, but would like to see the necessary mods to turn it into a Futon. Need some seating/sleeping on our house boat and this look would work wonderfully. Is this something that would merit your time?

thanks Gary

Patteeh Manalo

Thu, 07/11/2013 - 23:17

HI Ana I feel so lame for discovering you sooo late! But I was super excited to start building this sofa cus I saw that the lumber would run me around $30. And i even ordered a Kreg Jig on Amazon. But after going through the lumber at Lowe's and Home Depot, they will be running me close to $150 :( Where can I find it cheaper? The lumber stores are way more expensive!

bredemann

Sun, 03/02/2014 - 05:33

Just built this bench this weekend! Turned out great. I found the cost of the wood to be $175. I used Poplar for the legs and arm tops. I used a mixture of Top Choice and Select pine for the rest of the sofa. I used the Poplar because it is a harder wood. Also bought a Kreg pocket hole tool. First time to use and REALLY liked it. Was well worth the $40.

Here is one TIP that I'd like to share.

Before attaching anything, I drilled all of the pocket holes in the aprons.

When I went to attach the side aprons to the legs, the 4 right angle joints (back and side, side and front) had the pocket holes at exactly the same height. This meant that tips of the screws were right on top of each other.

Doing it again, I would have offset the pocket holes from each apron so that when the screws went into the legs, they would have not come close to intersecting.

bredemann

Mon, 03/03/2014 - 06:17

I assembled the entire sofa and then started to prime / paint. Since this is going to be outdoors, I wanted to make sure that I had really good coverage and didn't leave any bare spots.

I had trouble getting paint into the section where the bench is attached to the back rest, due to the angle.

If I were to do this again, I would have painted this tough to reach spot, prior to attaching the back to the bench.

I still haven't figured out how to get paint in this "V" area. I'm going to look into finding an oil based spray primer and paint.

jostj

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 16:40

What type of wood are people using for this sofa? I can't imagine they are using framing lumber??

amiealejandro

Tue, 06/09/2015 - 16:56

Thank you so much for sharing this, I just finished my very first project following your plan and I am inlove! I used 2x4 for the arms for extra support since I made mine longer and they turned out really pretty! Thank you again Ana!

Newbiebuilder

Thu, 07/07/2016 - 15:04

The simple white outdoor sofa plan is beautiful and would be a great plan to modify into a bi-fold futon. So many of the elements are already there. 

deb12

Tue, 05/16/2017 - 17:17

can't get pdf button to work goes to error  and not finding print button 

 

deb12

Tue, 05/16/2017 - 17:17

can't get pdf button to work goes to error  and not finding print button 

 

Caterpillar11

Sat, 09/16/2017 - 07:13

Is there a way to make this a 2 piece sectional or would it be awkward

looking since there is a back rest? I really like your other sectional design, but this one looks a little bit more modern and would go with my home better. Is it possible to modify by just making a second one without one side arm, or would it look silly?

thanks so much! Love your site!

Spirit910

Tue, 03/26/2019 - 16:55

I love the sofas! Really perfect for the pergola in my backyard. I was wondering if there are plans available for those 30x30 tables? I love how they complete the whole sofa sets. Are they on the Ana White website?

madbugger

Fri, 04/10/2020 - 23:04

Really like the Simple White Outdoor sofa, but would love to get the original plans. The updated ones here use 2x4s that will make this much bulkier and heavier than the original. Any chance of getting the original plans for this sofa?

dante1013

Wed, 04/29/2020 - 09:37

Hi Ana, thanks for the great plans. I'm planning to build two of these this weekend. Would it be possible to replace the end arm rest pieces with 2X6"s instead of 2x4"s. I'm trying to go utilize wider arm rests for setting drinks and such down on it. Thanks!

dark7622

Mon, 06/15/2020 - 07:58

I built two of these, you can change it but you will have to at least modify the back base. Note I had to shim my bases, I put in a correction that it should be 80" instead of 79.5. But in your case it means the whole thing would be deeper and hence the base of the backer will be different.

Another thought is maybe using a 1x6 instead and screw that on top of the 2x4, or leave the legs 2x4 and just make the arm rest alone 2x6, but I would screw some screws from the top down instead of just the pocket screws, with it being wider without wider support if someone sits on it, it could mess it up.

rozim

Fri, 05/08/2020 - 22:44

Love the design and I'm currently trying to build this piece.
Step 3 says

"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."

And I'm thrown at the very least by "three 1-1/2" pocket holes along one edge" -- wouldn't it be pocket holes on both edges, and if it is along one edge, which one?

The way we're proceeding is doing 1 hole on each side of the narrow dimension (the nominal 2" wide edge) and 2 holes on each of the wider dimension sides, since this wood doesn't seem to be bearing that
much load it's not clear that it needs 3 screws, and anyway the Kreg jig we have just does 2 holes.

thx,
Dave

dark7622

Mon, 06/15/2020 - 07:53

I might have gone overkill, but since the jig I have makes two holes I put 4 holes in every 2x6 where pocket holes were needed. worked fine and was pretty solid

pagail118

Thu, 07/30/2020 - 19:03

Hi !

I am looking to build a sectional sofa, and most I found have straight back which I think is not as much comfortable.

This one seems great, but I think the reclined seat would not work as a sectional.

Do you think it could be adapted easily to have flat seat while keeping the reclined back, so that it can be made a sectional ?

I think of putting the cleats at the same height, like at step 9 put the cleat higher.

What are your thoughts ?

Thank you !

Rmwdmw317

Fri, 04/09/2021 - 14:12

I built this couch ew years ago and absolutely love it. I want to somehow convert it into a sectional this year but not exactly sure what would work best. would just taking off one armrest and building a second couch or loveseat work? any help on the corner part would be awesome

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!