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Essential Adirondack Chair

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ana white adirondack chair plans
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The MOST POPULAR Adirondack Chairs plans!   This is an easy build that shouldn't take too long, and the chair is super comfortable and sturdy!  Free plans by Ana-White.com

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Why I Built These Chairs

I've been wanting to add some comfortable outdoor seating to our yard in uncovered areas, but it gets to be alot to manage cushions and pillows, trying to keep everything dry, bringing the cushions in when it snows, finding somewhere to store it all ... 

I didn't want to go with plastic chairs, as they blow away in the wind, and I'm forever chasing them down and eventually, picking up pieces of plastic and throwing them away.

So I thought, what if I could build the most comfortable Adirondack chairs ever, that don't need a cushion, that are too heavy to blow away in the wind?  

2x4 modern adirondack chair

 

2x4 Essential Adirondack Chair Features

  • 2x4 frame is sturdy and solid
  • Building plans are easy to follow and assemble (about an hour a chair)
  • About $30 in lumber per chair
  • Very comfortable without a cushion or pillow
  • Modern styling still has the "Adirondack" look and feel, but with clean lines
  • Can be painted or stained any color

 

How I Built My Chairs

In this video I go through all the steps to build my 2x4 Modern Adirondack Chairs

Free Adirondack Chair Plans

The free plans for this chair follow.  Please share a photo when you are done so we can see how your project turned out!

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2X4 Modern Adirondack Chair

Dimensions
Adirondack chair dimensions
Dimensions shown in diagram for modern Adirondack chair

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 3 - 2x4 @ 104-5/8" long (OR 4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long or 92-5/9" long)
  • 1 - 1x10 @ 10 feet long*
  • 4 - 2-1/2" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws
  • 24 - 2-1/2" long self tapping exterior screws (look for the screws with the star bit heads, can be up to 3" long)
  • 30 - 1-1/2" long self tapping exterior screws (same type as the longer screws, can be slightly shorter or longer (up to 2"), these screws are just used to attach the seat boards to the frame)

*If building more than one chair, you only need 9 feet of 1x10 boards per chair.  So for two chairs, you could purchase one 8' long 1x10 and one 10' long 1x10.

Cut List
  • 5 - 2x4 @ 19-1/2" - legs and horizontal supports
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 31-3/4" - arms
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 33-1/4" - both ends cut at 20 degrees off square, ends ARE parallel, long point to short point measurement
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 32-3/4" - back supports
  • 2 - 1x10 @ 22-1/2" - seat
  • 3 - 1x10 @ 19-1/2" - back 

 

Cutting Instructions

It may be easier to pre-finish your boards before cutting.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Power Sander
General Instructions

Work on a flat level surface.

 

Instructions

Step 1

As shown in the video, cut the chair stringers at a 90 degree angle at the foot of the stringer with a circular saw.

Build the arms with the 2-1/2" long screws and exterior wood glue.

Make sure the two arms are built the same but in mirror as shown in the diagram.

Step 2

Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on both ends of two of the 19-1/2" long 2x4s.  Attach with 2-1/2" screws to the Adirondack chair frame.

Step 3

Lay the seat boards on the 2x4 frame and attach with three 1-1/2" long screws per end of each 1x10 to the seat frame.  Leave about 1/4" gap in between the seat frame for water drainage.

Step 4

Place the remaining 2x4 @ 19-1/2" long under the back of the chair as shown in the diagram.  

Place one seat support in the chair and hold flush to the bottom of the stringer.

Attach with screws to the stringer and to the back support.

Move to the other side of the chair and repeat with the second back support.

Remove the 2x4 @ 19-1/2" long.

Step 5

Attach the 2x4 @ 19-1/2" to the base of the chair with screws.

Step 6

Starting at the top and working downward, attach the seat back boards to the back of the chair.  Make sure you leave a gap at the base of the back to allow for good water drainage.  Evenly split the gaps for best visual presentation.

Finishing Instructions
Finish Used
Use an exterior appropriate finish.
Project Type
Outdoor Seating and Lounging
Room
Outdoor
Style
Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

Ray_B

Mon, 04/27/2020 - 07:42

These plans are awesome, however these will probably be too difficult for my wife and I to get (climb) out of. Can you recommend some other simple chair plans as an alternative?

Thank you!

luiessir

Sun, 05/31/2020 - 23:44

Buenos días desde España Ray-B:
Creo que podrías incrementar las medidas del larguero y de la pata en un porcentaje estimativo, creo que un 10 % no estaría mal, te quedarían las patas con 1 3/8 y el larguero con 3 21/64 (verifícalo, calcular pulgadas es complicado a los que usamos el sistema métrico decimal), las medidas de las demás piezas no varían.
En todo caso, es mejor pasarte con el incremento que quedarte corto, si te excedes, no tienes más que poner un listón delgado sobre el suelo junto a las patas y marcar con él el sobrante de cada una de ellas.
¡Internet es una hermosa herramienta!.

luiessir

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 06:47

Sorry Ray B:
Increasing the legs by 10% would be 15 1/8 and the crossbar with 36 37/64.
I think what I put in earlier was the increment.
Perdona Ray B:
Incrementando un 10 % las patas quedarían con 15 1/8 y el larguero con 36 37/64.
Creo que lo que puse anteriormente era el incremento.

Leslie Esparza

Sat, 11/21/2020 - 08:04

Hi Ray!

It looks like another commenter posted some suggestions for alterations. Here's what he posted:

Modification for those who are a bit challenged by height or age:
Reduce the angle on the long bottom board to 10 degrees, lengthen board to 38 inches, shorten front legs to 16 1/2".

I'm going to try this out. I'm building some chairs for my backyard and want to build a couple for my parents, who are both tall and in their 70's. I'll let you know how it goes in case it can help you!

I have already made a chair with the dimensions that Ana posted and it WAS surprising comfortable. I think that the arms make it easier to get in and out of, however, I do think it would help to raise it a little for my parents. We'll see!

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 14:57

I'd recommend an oil stain, hard to come by nowadays but well worth the effort of finding it. An oil stain will do two the three years easy, water based garbage is an every year ordeal. Ummm, did I say garbage, oops, I meant garbage, oh, got it right the first time.

jollysson1

Fri, 05/01/2020 - 08:35

Anna,
Do you have plans in this style for a childs chair? I have cut wood for two adult chairs for my son and daughter-in-law who are expecting our first grandchild...I would also like to make a chair for him!!! (Perhaps it is as easy as making all cuts 5 inches less???) Thanks

dscwmitchell

Sun, 05/03/2020 - 16:42

Just did the first of several of these and they are great!! I used pallet wood and leftover framing lumber and for the seat I used PVC trim boards. I think it turned out great and only took me a couple hours start to finish.

I'd attach a couple of pictures if I could figure out how to post them here.

carlhendricksen

Sat, 05/09/2020 - 14:05

Awesome plan!

Modification for those who are a bit challenged by eight or age:
Reduce the angle on the long bottom board to 10 degrees, lengthen board to 38 inches, shorten front legs to 16 1/2".

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 15:06

Any lumber works, untreated just needs to maintained. Water based blows, oil is best. A good soak in oil and you have a couple of years, water based in a sunny environment and get ready to reapply annually

bh625

Mon, 05/18/2020 - 21:18

For my first ever wood-working project, it went pretty well! I’m so thankful for the video and the info broken down into simple, concise portions. The diagrams were helpful, but the video was definitely a must have for me. Thank you for this beautiful modern design!

DanT

Mon, 05/25/2020 - 10:19

Ana - Love this plan... however one small correction needs to be made. On the diagram for step 1, the "foot" measurement of 3 1/2 i believe is mistaken. It should be just about 3" if cut 20 deg off square. No biggie, but it threw me off first time through. Thanks!

littlecanton

Mon, 05/25/2020 - 10:37

My 12 year old son and I made two of these and absolutely love them. Thank you so much for a great plan and family project

fessehaye2

Thu, 06/04/2020 - 09:36

I'm beginner in the wood working field and have just completed my very first project following one of your post and built two Modern Adirondack Chairs. Wife and kids really love it and are asking me to build more.

Jeremy68

Thu, 06/11/2020 - 12:42

I am about to build one of these, love thew look of the 1x10" but alas in my area nobody sells 1x10", has anyone given any thought to building this with 1x8" lumber?

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 14:53

I'm replying to my own post, faux pas I know, but my local lumber retailer lied to me, they have 1x10's, they just didn't know that modern lumber doesn't adhere to true length and width, scary yes?

JuliaP

Sat, 06/13/2020 - 04:23

Hi, I love the design of these chairs and am planning to build a couple. I noticed some people have added posts to reinforce the backrest. Do you think the original design is sturdy enough for kids/adults to sit on the armrests?
thanks!

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 14:50

For all those asking about the stain colour, I was able to replicate ( as far as I can tell from a picture, by a light burn, sand, and then an application of a clear wood sealer. Also, through a happy accident I achieved a few degrees of less incline through putting the back support 2x's @ 90 degrees out from plan, so if you are looking for an easier exit chair, this may help, though it does look bulkier. I stained my first chair a black brown semi translucent, i wiped it on, then wiped it off, which I think looks a bit heavy for the Rustic Modern design, love to show but have no idea how to post pics on here so no go.
Im about to embark on my second chair with a few minor tweaks, 45's on the arm fronts, ditto on the back, 2-4" wider to accommodate us big ol' Alberta Boys, one more section higher. again for us big ol' boys, and the modified Shou-sugi-ban on the seat facings. I'm thinking with the awesome plans that Ana has provided and a few unnecessary but form based tweaks I will be able to, as a total amatuer (with subgrade equipment) be able to build something worthy of any firepit.

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 15:17

Ok, i knowwwwwww this is horrible, never comment on your own posts EVER, but, saying that, here goes.
Just a bit of info if you are going to Shou-sugi-ban your wood, it is a form of wood preservation that come from Japan, it's usually performed on cedar but has the same basic effect on any wood. So, what I'm basically saying here is if you choose this method you are also elongating the life of your wood. I'm going to experiment with burning just the one side of the wood and both and seeing which fairs better, the issue is we'll all be well away from caring once the results are in.
You can use a basic propane torch for this job, it will take a bit but you'll get er' done.

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 15:41

Ack, I never like to be this guy but I just noticed there are filters applied to the first pic on here, look to the second pic for a true representation of the stain colour and hue. But trust me on this, evenly run a propane torch over your wood, sand until happy and then clear coat and you'll be happy.

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 15:51

I'm truly overstepping my bounds here but if you will give me this one last input I'd truly appreciate it. Unless you are running a bump stop mitre saw your 1x10's will all be fractions off perfect. This being said, choose the most interesting wood grain for the top seat facia, taking into account how everything lines up vertically. Our line of sight and our years of indoctrination have taught our brains to see top to bottom, left to right, so put the most interesting board on top, with a caveat of lining up over all. That's all, sorry for intruding.

Wendy KT

Wed, 07/01/2020 - 12:16

Help! How do I stop the sap from bleeding out of the pine? I made 2 of these chairs and we love them. I used 2 coats of Minwax Classic Gray stain and then I applied 2 coats of wipe-on poly. But as of this morning there are little white sticky sap dots all over the boards. How are the rest of you keeping that from happening?