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2x4 Modern Adirondack Chair

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Submitted by Ana White on Sun, 04/26/2020 - 12:09
Difficulty
Intermediate
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For about $30 you can build your own modern Adirondack chairs!  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

2x4 modern adirondack chair plans

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 Modern 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!

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!