Finally, an Adirondack Chair that is easy to build and stylish and comfortable! This do it yourself project plan to build a DIY adirondack chair is simple, and easy. Inspired by polywood furniture, build your own affordable adirondack chair. Special thanks to Amy for sharing her photos.

Preparation
1 – 1×8, 8′ Long
4 – 1×4, 8′ Long
1 – 2×2, 8′ Long
1 – 1×3 8′ Long
1 1/4″ Screws (I would get pretty self tapping outdoor deck screws so that you don’t have to refinish your chair after you put it together)
2″ Screws
Wood Glue
2 – 1×8 @ 32 3/4″ (Stringers)
1 – 1×8 @ 21″ (Front)
5 – 1×4 @ 21″ (Seat Slats)
2 – 1×4 @ 20 3/4″ (Front Legs)
2 – 1×3 @ 24″ (Arm Supports)
5 – 1×4 @ 30 1/2″ (Back Slats)
1 – 1×3 @ 19 1/2″ (Top Back Trim)
1 – 1×4 @ 19 1/2″ (Bottom Apron Back)
1 – 2×2 @ 22 1/2” (Center Back Support)
2 – 1×4 @ 25 1/2″ (Arm Rests)
2 – 1×3 @ 6″ (Decorative Front Arm Supports)
Work on a clean, level surface. Use good, straight boards. On outdoor projects such as this one, it’s a good idea to paint your boards first (or invest in a tiny paint brush to get in between the cracks) so, sand and give your boards a nice paint job first. Remember, you can click diagrams for larger views. Pre-drill and countersink all of your screws. I would use a screw pattern so that your screws look nice and even (and you don’t have to finish the chair again after it’s assembled) Be safe and have fun!
Instructions
Step 1
Step 3
Step 7
ATTACHING THE BACK
Attach the back as shown above. This isn’t an exact science, I purposely choose to use a 1×3 for the arm supports and a 2×2 for the back support so that it would be super easy for
you to get the back to line up just right with the seat and arm supports. You may want to enlist your neighbors assistance.
Comments
Ana White (not verified)
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 06:44
Hi Loni, If you were to use a
Hi Loni, If you were to use a 2x4 for the back support (the piece that connects the arms to the back slats, it should take care of support. Perhaps use 1x4s for the under arm supports too.
emmarosemc
Sat, 06/04/2011 - 19:22
so they sell these at HD for
so they sell these at HD for $28 dollars, is it worth it to build them? I have so many other plans still to do i dont think this one is worth making over buying
claydowling
Sun, 06/05/2011 - 06:36
Make vs. Buy
You should be able to build these for less. Even if you can't, there is a satisfaction in building it for yourself. My least useful chair is a stool that I built with my dad's help on his lathe. It's also my favorite because I made it, and I don't know anybody else with a chair like it.
Although given the state of my dining room chairs, I might need to start making that stool some grown up chair brethren soon. Too many broken spindles.
Emilio (not verified)
Sun, 06/19/2011 - 17:17
Drawing
I did the design of the Adirondack chair in Google SketchUp. The link is as follows.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=b8772904c25b61ac6b2b…
And the animation is in 3D on Youtube at the following link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WsgQ7xqgVs
In reply to Drawing by Emilio (not verified)
mrhelton
Mon, 09/03/2012 - 18:14
Thanks I appreciate this! I
Thanks I appreciate this! I just downloaded sketchup today and am in the process of learning it. I started work on the table I'm making to go with these chairs, and you've made it easy to drop the chairs in there!
Guest (not verified)
Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:28
glider
Hi, my husband and I are anxious to make chairs for us and kids and alsoo a bench for the porch- he'd love to have a glider and I wondered if you had ideas of how to modify the bench into a glider? Thanks for all your hard work, i have such a to build list from you site! Cant' wait to start getting them done!
Guest (not verified)
Fri, 02/10/2012 - 08:48
I love this site!
I love this site!!!! Thank you ! I wish I could find a plan for a half circle diner booth for my dinning room, but I had so many of these plans on my wish list! Thank you so much!
Andra (not verified)
Sun, 02/19/2012 - 10:58
Jigsaw
Would it be possible to do this project with a jigsaw and not the fancier saws that I don't own (yet).
In reply to Jigsaw by Andra (not verified)
Lady Goats
Sun, 02/19/2012 - 11:53
Jigsaw
Andra, my first few projects were built only with a jig saw! So you definitely can! a piece of advice is to draw the full cut that you need to make, use a straight board as a guide to slide your jig saw against to get straight cuts, and (if needed), sand the cut to smooth it out. They'll be rough looking... but use a little caulk on the "seams" before you paint, and it'll look great.
In reply to Jigsaw by Andra (not verified)
claydowling
Sun, 02/19/2012 - 15:16
Saws
You could use a jig saw for this, but I wouldn't recommend it. You can make all of these cuts just as easily with a Japanese ryoba or a hand saw, both of which are sold at Lowes and Home Depot.
You should also check Sawing Secret, an episode of The Woodwright Shop that did a really nice job of showing how to use hand saws successfully for a variety of situations.