Plans are for a single lounger, but can be easily modified, as one of our readers did, to a double. Featuring no special hardware, slatted wood design, adjustable back angles, and optional wheels.
Preparation
Shopping List
1 – 2×2 8′ Long
10 – 1×2 8′ Long
5 – 1×4, 8′ Long
2″ Screws
1 1/4″ Screws
5 Hinges
1 – 24″ 3/4″ Dowel
4 – 3/4″ Pipe Straps
Wood Glue
Wood Filler
Finishing Supplies
24″ Wide Foam, 48″ and 30″ long for Cushions
Fabric for Cushions, 2 1/2″ yards (approximately)
2 – 1×2 @ 73 1/4″ (Side Stringers)
1 – 2×2 @ 22 1/2″ (Base Support)
2 – 1×4 @ 81 3/4″ (Sides)
4 – 1×4 @ 14″ (Inside Leg Piece)
2 – 1×4 @ 24″ (Front and Back)
2 – 2×2 @ 22 1/2″ (Stretchers)
4 – 1×4 @ 12 1/2″ (Outer Leg)
4 – 1×2 @ 12 1/2″ (Fronts and Backs of Legs)
24 – 1×2 @ 24″ (Main Slats)
2 – 1×4 @ 24″ (Support Slats)
3 – 1×2 @ 30 1/2″ (Back Stringers)
2 – 1×4 @ 16 1/2″ (Back Incline Support)
1 – 3/4″ Hardwood Dowel or Pipe @ 24″ (Back Incline Catch)
This is an advanced project, make sure you fully understand how this lounger works before beginning. Work on a clean level surface. Check for square after each step. Predrill and countersink your screws. Use necessary safety precautions and equipment.
Instructions
Step 1
Side Stringers. Notch out your side stringers as shown here. You could actually add more notches for more customization if you would like.
Step 2
Base Support. Use 2″ screws and glue to fasten the base support as shown here.
Step 3
Sides. Fasten the sides to the side stringers, keeping bottom edges flush. Use glue and 1 1/4″ screws or nails. There will be a 4 1/4″ difference on the front and back ends of the stringer and the sides, as shown above.
Step 4
Inside Legs. First cut your inside leg to a taper, as shown above. Then fasten the inside leg to the sides, using glue and 1 1/4″ screws.
Step 5
Step 6
Stretchers. Fasten the stretcher to the inner legs as shown here. Use 2″ screws and glue.
Step 7
Finishing the legs. First, cut the taper of the outer leg as shown here so it matches the inner leg. Fasten the outer leg to the inner leg using 1 1/4″ nails. Fasten through the insides. Then fasten the fronts of the legs (or the backs for the back legs) to the inner and outer leg pieces.
Step 8
Main Slats. As shown above, fasten the main slats to the stringers. Start with the 1×4 front piece and the last slat that sits on top of the base support. Then fill in with slats, approximately 1 1/2″ apart. Screw down with 2″ screws and glue.
Step 9
Back. Build the back as shown above. Keep the top and bottom edges flush with the back stringers, but there will be a 1″ difference on the slats and the stringers, as shown above. Use 1 1/4″ screws to fasten through the back stringers into the backs of the slats to hide your screws.
Step 10
Attaching the Back. Lay the back in the lounger, and attach the last slat of the back to the last slat on the lounger. Simply lay the hinges flat on top of the slats and screw in place. Position the hinges so that the pin rests in a gap between the back slat and the seat slat. Use three hinges, all positioned over the back stringers.
Step 11
Incline Support. Attach the dowel with the pipe straps to the incline supports and use the hinges to attach the incline supports to the 1×4 back slat. The dowel needs to be on the very end of the incline supports so that the dowel can fold to the top when the recliner is layed flat.
Step 12
Mechanics. I added this diagram to help illustrate how the lounger will appear when in the flat position. Notice how the dowel sits above the last slat on the back?
Comments
Viola (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 09:29
Thank you so much Ana. You
Thank you so much Ana. You truly are amazing. I so appreciate your hard work and dedication. I hope things are working out better for you.
JessA (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 09:33
This is stunning! I am
This is stunning! I am always in awe of your talent!
Serena (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 09:40
Wow! I am amazed that you
Wow! I am amazed that you know how to draw up plans for something so complicated. Thanks for taking the time and thought to put this together. This will be great for the summertime!
TheSimplePoppy (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 09:45
I have always loved these
I have always loved these loungers - and the cost is always so prohibitive. I wonder how hard it would be to double them, but still have each side fold individually? Awesome plans!
jill g (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 09:58
YAY! I am sooo excited. I'm
YAY! I am sooo excited. I'm in the process of purchasing a second hand table saw and then this project is MINE! I plan to build two of these. THANKS ANA!
Regina (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 11:38
These plans look fantastic!
These plans look fantastic! I'm not quite at this level yet, but I fully intend to give these a shot towards the end of the summer!
Cricket (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 11:54
You are amazing. Not only do
You are amazing. Not only do you make a mean lounger, I am consistently amazed at the way you make woodworking accessible to everyone. And that means making up your plans so we can actually afford to put foam on the lounger after we build it. Awesome. I love your site, and it has me eying the large pile of old barn wood in my backyard.
Lacking Productivity (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 12:15
This makes me so so so
This makes me so so so excited to get to where I feel advanced enough to do this! I have wanted chairs like this for year...but the price tag was always WAY out of my price range.
You rock my socks off!
Spencer & Lori… (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 12:35
Are you kidding me! This is
Are you kidding me! This is amazing! Especially after I looked and saw how much they are to buy! Yikes!
About Us (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 12:53
First, I have 5 kids and one
First, I have 5 kids and one of them is a 4 month old. My weekly trip to the grocery store is pure trauma! So I laughed as I read the first part of this. I was so hoping you would do one like this. We are going to build 2 of these!