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Hexagon Picnic Table

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Submitted by Ana White on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 11:59
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Free plans to build a hexagon shaped picnic table. Features six large bench seats and hexagon top, updating the casual classic into a more user-friendly backyard fav!

round picnic table plans

Photo by Amauter Steph

This plan has been updated.  If you need the original plans they are still available here.

Dimensions
round picnic table plans
Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

6 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long

10 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long

150 - 2-1/2" to 3" long self tapping exterior screws, can be "deck screws" or "general construction screws"

Common Materials
2 1/2 inch screws
2-1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

Frame

  • 1 - 2x4 @ 51" - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (main frame, top)
  • 1 - 2x4 @ 88" - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (main frame, seat)
  • 6 - 2x4 @ 33" - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, end are parallel, long point to short point measurement (legs)
  • 4 - 2x4 @ 25" - one end cut at 30 degree BEVEL, long point measurement (top frame secondary supports)
  • 4 - 2x4 @ 43-3/8" - one end cut at 30 degree BEVEL, long point measurement (seat frame secondary supports)

Seat Boards

  • 6 - 2x6 @ 45" - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (seat boards)
  • 6 - 2x6 @ 38" - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (seat boards)

Tabletop

  • 2 - 2x6 @ 54" - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (tabletop)
  • 2 - 2x6 @ 47" - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (tabletop)
  • 2 - 2x6 @ 40" - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (tabletop)
  • 2 - 2x6 @ 33-1/4" - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, ends NOT parallel, long point to long point measurement (tabletop)
Cutting Instructions

Cut the longer boards first to conserve wood

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Miter Saw
Power Sander

Instructions

Step 1

On a flat level surface, carefully layout the first section of the picnic table.  It can help to have two people at this stage.

Attach at all joints with three 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws.

Step 2

First, cut the table supports according to the cut list.  Then, keeping the same overall length, cut the outside end back at a 30 degree angle.  

Attach centered on the main frame with the 2-1/2" screws, two screws per joint.

Step 3

Attach remaining legs with 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws, three screws per joint.

Step 4

Cut the seat frame board ends as directed in the cut list.  Then, keeping the same overall length, cut the outside end back at a 30 degree off square angle.

Attach to the center of the main frame and to the legs.

TIP: Cut a 2x4 13" long and use it as a spacer to hold up your board while attaching to maintain the correct distance.

Step 5

Flip the project over.  

Cut seat boards and lay outside seat boards in place.  Make sure all the angles line up with the seat boards joining in the middle of the frame boards.

Attach with two screws per joint.

Step 6

Attach the tabletop boards on top, starting at the center and working outward, with a 1/2" gap in between.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Help Improve This Plan

We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.

Project Type
Picnic Tables and Outdoor Dining
Room
Outdoor
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans

Comments

Ana White

Mon, 03/14/2011 - 00:29

Also put together the plans for the eight sides, 8 foot wide table, if anyone is interested, give a holler and I'll put the plans together for you.

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 03/14/2011 - 15:19

Hi Ana - Love your plans and really digging the new site! :) I would love your plans for the 8-ft octagonal table as we have quite a large family and really need a bigger table. Thanks. Ashley - TX

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 07/26/2011 - 09:34

We would also love the plans for the octagon, but would like to build it around a tree. Do you have plans for that? Thank you so much. Cheryl

Mrs. Brimmer

Sun, 09/28/2014 - 21:57

Ana,

I am a preschool teacher and I would love to have either a hexagonal or octagonal (or both) shaped picnic table in my classrooms garden area. Can you send plans for both tables? The ages of the children are 3-6. I loved the plans that I saw on your website for the adult sized table and saw where many others asked about plans for a child sized version. I can't wait to see the child-sized plans. Would it be possible to have a hole in the center for an umbrella?"

Thanx Debra Brimmer

(An excited Montessori teacher in San Antonio, Texas)

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 03/14/2011 - 01:11

I would like the plans to the octagonal table... Thank you.

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 03/14/2011 - 05:15

I cannot wait to put this together this summer! It will be perfect for our huge barbecues and bonfires we do in the summer and fall.

whitney_smith

Mon, 03/14/2011 - 05:34

I really like this. I would really like to be able to have an umbrella hole in the center. If I framed for that in the center, would it still be sturdy enough? Hmm.. Something to think about.

Ana White

Mon, 03/14/2011 - 10:33

Whitney, I also considered this when I was designing this plan. If you think about it, when you sit on the bench, it actually will cause the center supports to push UP and not sag down. And your weight is directly on the legs, not on the supports. So if you were to make all of the supports the same as the smaller supports (for each the top and bottom), this would leave a hole in the center. You would need to provide adequate joining of all the boards as well, with either a brace, a plywood gusset on the top and bottom, or metal brackets.