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Simple Outdoor Dining Table

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Submitted by Ana White on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 14:03
Difficulty
Beginner
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Build your own outdoor table!  We love the simple styling and clean lines of this outdoor table. This simple plan requires no special tools and is beginner friendly!  Build and enjoy this weekend!  Free plans by ANA-WHITE.com

Collections
Simple Modern Outdoor Collection
diy outdoor dining table

Built and photographed by Mr Thompson

This modern style outdoor table is easy to build.  The matching bench plans are available here.

This plan has been updated.  The old plans are still available here.

Dimensions
simple modern outdoor dining table plans
Overall Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long (cut longest boards first)
  • 5 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 100 - 1-1/4" to 2" long - self tapping exterior screws (look for star bit ones)
  • 25 - 2-1/2" long self tapping exterior screws
Cut List

3 - 2x4 @ 56-1/2" - frame 

2 - 2x4 @ 28-3/4" - frame ends

4 - 2x4 @ 29-1/4" - legs

15 - 1x4 @ 31-3/4" - tabletop boards

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

Instructions

Step 1

Build the frame of the table with the longer screws, two screws per joint.

Adjust for square by taking opposite diagonal measurements and adjusting until the opposite diagonals match.

Step 2

Attach legs to the frame (will be easiest upside down).  Multiple screws at an angle into the legs will be stronger than screws straight on.

Step 3

Clamp a straight edge to the outside of the table and lay out the tabletop boards with a 1/2" gap in between.  Screw down with the shorter screws.

For the end boards, screw to the end of the frame too - this will add considerable strength to your table.

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
Dining Table Plans
Room
dining room
kitchen
Outdoor
Style
Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

Jessica Renee (not verified)

Tue, 05/29/2012 - 12:01

A 1x4 is typically 3/4" thick. So, once you get the screw (put in straight down/square) through the table top board you'll have another 1 1/4" that will secure the board into the support/apron.

If you aren't using a Kreg Jig, you'd be screwing from the top of the table down and not from the underside. I think that's where you might be confused, too.

Jessica W (not verified)

Thu, 04/12/2012 - 17:09

I think you use the Kreg Jig for better stability and to hide those screws. I didn't know what it was before finding this blog, but it looks like a great tool!

Anthony S (not verified)

Mon, 05/07/2012 - 20:30

Nice design.
Using galvanized screws in the construction of this outdoor
table will prevent fixing points from rusting in the outdoors.
The screws suggested here could also the sprayed with a
galvanized coating available from hardware stores prior to
assembly.

travelnFog (not verified)

Tue, 06/05/2012 - 12:29

I love the table. Can you put in a link to the bench and chair build pages if they exist? if not it might be an idea....

thanks for a great DYI blog.

Céline (not verified)

Wed, 06/27/2012 - 09:28

Dear Ana and readers,

Thank you very much for all those plans. Like others have said many times, your website gives me the boldness to try and build something myself. But... I am one of your European readers and, since we don't use the same measurements or standards, I'm not sure how to interpret your instructions.
Could you, as an example, explain to me the following line ?
5 – 8′ – 1×4

Then I could "translate" the intructions more easily for the various projects in the future.

I very much hope someone can help me! Thanks a lot in advance !

Céline from Italy

Secret Agent Mom (not verified)

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 09:14

Celine,

I am building this table now!

5 - 8' -1"x4" is:
Five total boards measuring eight feet long that are one inch by four inches width/depth. This symbol ' means feet and this " means inches.

In metric conversion I believe it would be something like this:
Five total boards measuring 2.4 meters that are 2.54 x 10.16 centimenters width/depth.

I used this chart: http://www.calit2.net/~jschulze/misc/spinoff/metric-conversion.htm

I hope that helps!

cricachat

Tue, 07/17/2012 - 10:05

Yes, it helps a lot ! It is indeed much clearer now for me.
Thanks a lot for your explanations and the link to the chart.
I am now ready to try for myself!
Good work on your table and thanks again for taking the time to answer!
Céline