Build your own outdoor sofa with just 11 2x4s. Ana White plans include step by step diagrams and shopping and cut list.
We also have a plans to convert this sofa to an outdoor sectional, a matching outdoor coffee table plan, and outdoor wood finishing secrets.
Preparation
11 - 2x4x10’ (prefer cedar boards)
150 - 2-1/2” to 3" long, self-tapping exterior decking screws (#8, #9 or #10 will all work)
RECOMMEND: Build to suit cushions.
9 - 2x4 @ 72” (or cushion width x times 3)
13 - 2x4 @ 25-1/2” (or cushion depth plus 1-1/2")
2 - 2x4 @ 28-1/2” (or cushion depth plus 4-1/2")
Instructions
Step 1
Cut the seat framing boards with compound miter saw or similar.
Screw together with self tapping screws.
Step 2
Now for the arms.
Cut the boards.
Attach longer 2x4 to two of the shorter 2x4s with screws.
Step 3
Screw together with screws.
Step 4
Screw together with screws, also attach to board from step 3.
Step 5
Step 6
Attach seat boards to top of seat frame with 2-3/4" screws.
Step 7
Screw back piece at an angle into the arms with 2-3/4" screws. You can also use pocket holes.
Step 8
Some builders add a middle row to the back/sides to help keep cushions in line.
We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.
Comments
RASMALICE
Fri, 05/24/2019 - 08:11
cut list for 2x4 sofa
Hi! I previously made two of these sofas into a sectional (amazing, easy, everyone loves them) and I'm planning on adding a third this weekend to make a u shape sectional. My question is: Do you have a cut list for the 11 2x4's? I used more than 11 each time. and I also had alot of waste...
In reply to cut list for 2x4 sofa by RASMALICE
Ana White
Fri, 05/31/2019 - 12:25
I'm so glad to hear! Maybe…
I'm so glad to hear!
Maybe try cutting all your long cuts first (the 72" ones) and then from the scrap pieces, cut the shorter arm/legs pieces
Steph84
Mon, 08/05/2019 - 00:58
HELP!!!!
Hey Anna just a quick one , how many 2x4s do I need to build both the two arm and one arm pieces????
emiliemag
Fri, 07/12/2019 - 21:03
Cut your 9 2x4x10 at 72”…
Cut your 9 2x4x10 at 72” first, then use scraps for 25 1/2
use the 10th 2x4x10 to cut the 4 other 25 1/2
the last 2x4 could be only 6” as you will cut your 2 last at 28 1/2
That’s 10 - 2x4x10 and 1 - 2x4x6 with 11 scraps (9x 22.5 - 1x19 - 1x15)
it is plenty!
onuresen
Sat, 05/23/2020 - 14:38
hey this is awesome, if you…
hey this is awesome, if you need more you can check this out https://bit.ly/2LT16Mj
nickus
Sun, 06/23/2019 - 12:09
Your cut list is deceiving…
Your cut list is deceiving. If I’m building to suit specific cushions I don’t need 13 pieces that length. 4 of them still need to be the length of the height of the arms. Kind of a pain in the ass when you’ve pre stained/sealed based on the cut list and then end up with pieces that won’t work.
Vikasberi
Fri, 06/28/2019 - 10:19
Cushions
Can you add a link to where you got your cushions?
carpenter_eagle
Sun, 08/25/2019 - 07:03
quwtkom
Thank you for this build. I just built the couch last night. My only question is this:
Step 5 doesn't have any instructions. It's kind of self explanatory as to how to connect the arms in Step 4 to the seat base of the couch, but what isn't clear is how many screws to use? I only attached the arms to the seat with 3, #10, 2 1/2" wood screws. So that's 3 wood screws on each arm holding up a lot of weight when you take into account the weight of the top of the couch and anyone sitting on the couch.Is this enough to hold the weight?.... or should I find a place to bolt the arms to the seat.
That particular piece of wood in Step 4 already has a ton of screws in it. It has pocket screws in each end and pockets screws in the side to attach it to the board in Step 3, and then it has 3 wood screws attaching it to the seat base.
Any help?
phil1964
Fri, 09/27/2019 - 09:26
First, I would not use…
First, I would not use pocket holes for this project. Second, when you are attaching the seat to the arm/leg assembly trying driving two screws at an angle into the legs. This will give you a lot more holding strength.
carpenter_eagle
Sun, 08/25/2019 - 07:04
Question about Step 5. Please help....
Thank you for this build. I just built the couch last night. My only question is this:
Step 5 doesn't have any instructions. It's kind of self explanatory as to how to connect the arms in Step 4 to the seat base of the couch, but what isn't clear is how many screws to use? I only attached the arms to the seat with 3, #10, 2 1/2" wood screws. So that's 3 wood screws on each arm holding up a lot of weight when you take into account the weight of the top of the couch and anyone sitting on the couch.Is this enough to hold the weight?.... or should I find a place to bolt the arms to the seat.
That particular piece of wood in Step 4 already has a ton of screws in it. It has pocket screws in each end and pockets screws in the side to attach it to the board in Step 3, and then it has 3 wood screws attaching it to the seat base.
Any help?