Outdoor furniture allows you to fully utilize and enjoy outdoor spaces. Making your own outdoor furniture can be a rewarding DIY project that allows you to create custom pieces tailored to your space. With the right materials and techniques, you can craft beautiful, long-lasting outdoor furniture.
Choose the Right Materials
Selecting suitable materials is the first step in creating durable outdoor furniture. Consider these factors when choosing materials:
Weather Resistance
Outdoor furniture must withstand sun, rain, snow, and temperature changes. Choose materials that are weather and water resistant.
- Teak wood – Naturally weather resistant without treatments. A bit expensive but worth the investment.
- Cedar & redwood – Affordable softwoods that can handle outdoor exposure when properly finished.
- Aluminum – Won’t rust. Can feel cold to the touch. Requires some maintenance.
- Wrought iron – Sturdy and weather resistant but can rust if not maintained.
- Poly lumber – Made from recycled plastics. Weather and insect resistant. Won’t rot or splinter.
- Rattan – Inexpensive natural material used for wicker style furniture. Should be brought indoors during harsh weather.
Strength & Durability
Outdoor furniture must be structurally sound. Choose materials capable of withstanding weight and pressure over years of use. Hardwoods like teak and cedar have natural strength and resilience. Metals like aluminum and wrought iron are very durable options.
Style & Aesthetics
Consider the style you want to achieve. Rustic woods like cedar complement natural settings. Sleek metals and plastic lumber provide a more modern look. Wicker has a breezy, beachy vibe. Choose materials that align with your design aesthetic.
Assembly & Construction
Factor in how easy or difficult the material will be to work with. Natural woods require more carpentry skill but allow for intricate details. Synthetic lumber and metals may rely more on bolts and screws. Assess your skill level and tools when deciding on materials.
Weight
Lightweight furniture is easier to move and rearrange. However, more substantial materials like wood or iron provide stability and keep furniture grounded. Find the right balance based on your needs.
Budget
Natural teak and cedar woods tend to be more expensive while synthetic poly lumber and rattan are budget-friendly. Set realistic expectations based on your overall budget.
Essential Tools & Equipment
Creating outdoor furniture requires a few key tools to measure, cut, shape, and assemble materials:
- Tape measure – For precise measuring and marking cuts. Get one with extra length for large materials.
- Circular or table saw – For straight cuts across boards and sheets of wood and plastic.
- Jigsaw – For curved or angled cuts. Useful for cutting shapes and rounded edges.
- Sander – For smoothing rough edges and distressing surfaces. Orbital and belt sanders work quickly.
- Drill & driver – For drilling holes and driving screws to assemble pieces. A cordless drill allows mobility.
- Wrenches & sockets – For tightening bolts and nuts to connect metal frames. Have metric and imperial sizes.
- Clamps & vise grips – For securing materials while cutting, drilling, and assembly. Prevent slips and rotation.
- Safety gear – Gloves, goggles, mask, and ear protection for safe DIY. Reduce risk of injury.
- Exterior wood finish – Stain, sealer, polyurethane to protect and beautify wood projects.
- Touch up paint – For metal furniture. Prevent rust and add durability. Match existing finishes.
Investing in quality tools and learning proper techniques will make your furniture building easier and safer.
Planning the Design
Take time to plan out your furniture project before purchasing materials and starting construction.
Consider the Space
Take measurements of the outdoor area where you plan to place the furniture. This allows you to scale the size and proportions accordingly. Check for any obstructions like roof overhangs or trees.
Define the Purpose
Determine how the furniture will be used. A dining set needs to accommodate seating and table space. Loungers can be designed for comfortable reclining. Customize the furniture to its intended function.
Choose a Style
Decide on the overall style you want to achieve – traditional, modern, rustic, eclectic, etc. This will inform material and design choices to ensure cohesive aesthetic.
Draw Plans
Sketch your furniture plans with exact dimensions. This will determine what materials are needed and provide a reference during construction. Adjust scale on paper before cutting actual lumber.
Assess Difficulty
Consider the cuts, joinery and hardware involved for each piece. Evaluate your skill level and tools to determine if you need help completing more complex builds. Don’t take on more than you can handle.
Thorough planning is essential for efficiently executing your outdoor furniture projects. Invest time in the design process.
Helpful Construction Tips
Follow these useful tips when building and assembling your outdoor furniture:
- Use exterior glues, adhesives, and finishes meant for outdoor use. Interior products can fail when exposed to weather.
- Pre-drill holes for screws and lags to prevent splitting wood. Start with pilot hole slightly smaller than screw width.
- Countersink holes for bolts and screws so heads sit flush with the material surface for a clean look.
- Use washers under bolt and screw heads to prevent digging into the material when tightening.
- Sand cut edges smooth to prevent splinters. Break sharp corners to soften look.
- Apply wood sealer or primer before finishing to protect from moisture and prevent staining.
- Check pieces for square after each assembly step. Adjust before moving on if pieces are out of square.
- Work on level surface. Shim legs if needed to prevent rocking of finished piece.
- Disassemble to transport wide or large pieces that won’t fit through gates or doors.
- Apply protective finish like polyurethane over paint or stain to add water resistance and durability.
Taking time to follow sound construction methods will result in furniture that lasts season after season.
Great Outdoor Furniture Projects
These classic outdoor furniture projects are great options for DIY builds:
Patio Dining Set
A table and chair set makes the patio a go-to dining destination. Opt for durable teak wood or recycled poly lumber. Use weather resistant exterior cushion fabric on seats.
Outdoor Sofa & Chairs
Spend all day lounging and chatting on comfy sofas and armchairs placed in a shady corner of the yard. Use aluminum or wrought iron frames with sturdy UV resistant fabric.
Backyard Fire Pit Bench
Encircle a stone fire pit with a sturdy bench for fireside gatherings. Use heavy materials like cedar or redwood that can withstand ember exposure.
Porch Swing
Gently sway while watching the world go by on a front porch swing suspended from a wood frame. Choose fade resistant fabric that repels water for the seat and back cushion.
Chaise Lounges
Relax and tan by the pool on adjustable reclining chairs. Look for powder coated aluminum frames with mesh seating that won’t retain heat from the sun.
Outdoor Bar
Craft your own backyard tiki bar for serving homemade cocktails. Use moisture resistant bamboo paneling. Add a plastic laminate countertop for durability.
Picnic Table
Enjoy summer BBQs and meals al fresco at a classic picnic table. Use pressure treated pine or cedar for the table top and bench seats. Add umbrella for shade.
Hammock Stand
String up a roomy hammock between two wooden posts to create a relaxing hang out. Use rot resistant cedar 4×4 posts. Add heavy duty steel hardware and carabiners.
Building your own outdoor furniture allows you to create custom pieces that suit your personal style, space and needs.
Step-by-Step Building Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to build specific pieces of reliable outdoor furniture.
How to Build an Outdoor Sofa
Materials:
- 2×4 cedar lumber
- 1⁄2” plywood for seat base
- Sawhorse brackets
- Exterior fabric & foam for cushion
- Outdoor rated screws & glue
Tools:
- Miter saw
- Circular saw
- Power drill
- Sander
Steps:
- Cut 2x4s to length according to your plans to create the front and back frame. Use pocket holes and wood glue to assemble.
- Attach sawhorse brackets to bottom of front and back frame to create legs. Cut cross braces and attach to frame for support.
- Cut side frame pieces to length. Attach to front and back frame using wood glue and screws.
- Cut plywood to size for seat base. Glue and screw into place on top of wood frame.
- Cut foam and fabric for seat cushion to fit on top of plywood base. Staple fabric underside or use adhesive.
- Sand any rough edges. Apply protective finish. Weather seal all wood surfaces.
- Carry sofa pieces to patio and assemble frame. Place cushion on frame. Enjoy your handmade outdoor sofa!
How to Build a Cedar Planter Box
Materials:
- 1×6 cedar boards
- Exterior wood glue
- 2” exterior screws
- Power drill & driver bits
Tools:
- Miter saw or circular saw
- Power drill/driver
- Countersink bit
- Exterior wood stain
Steps:
- Cut four equal length boards for sides of planter box, cutting miters at ends. Cut two shorter boards with miters for ends.
- Dry fit pieces together. Use sandpaper to smooth any rough edges. Adjust miters for tight fit.
- Pre-drill holes to prevent splitting. Drill pilot holes and counterbores for all screw holes.
- Run a bead of exterior wood glue along mitered seams. Attach pieces with 2” wood screws. Check for square.
- Once all sides are attached, flip planter box right side up. Sand any glue drips or rough areas.
- Finish cedar with water resistant exterior stain in desired color. Apply polyurethane for extra protection.
- Line inside of planter box with landscape fabric or plastic liner before adding soil and plants.
- Position your DIY planter box on a porch, patio or in the garden. Plant flowers, herbs or veggies.
With simple tools and basic carpentry, you can add handsome handmade planters anywhere.
Maintaining and Protecting Outdoor Furniture
Preserve your handcrafted outdoor furniture with proper maintenance and protection:
- Inspect regularly for splinters, cracks, corrosion. Sand and seal damaged areas immediately.
- Wash regularly with mild soap and water. For stubborn dirt, use a soft bristle brush and vinegar.
- Rinse furniture after storms or seasonal maintenance to remove chemical residue from cleaners.
- Re-stain wood every 1-2 years based on exposure and wear. Teak can go longer between treatments.
- Apply fresh coats of polyurethane and UV resistant sealer yearly to protect wood from sun damage.
- Oil metal frames as needed to prevent rusting, especially wrought iron.
- Check hardware and tighten any loose bolts/screws to reinforce joints and prevent damage.
- Repair or replace broken pieces like missing decorative accents, cracked slats, torn mesh/fabric.
- Use furniture covers or waterproof tarp to protect from harsh weather when not in use.
- Store patio cushions and pillows indoors when not in use to prevent mold and damage.
- Bring rattan furniture inside during heavy rains and winter. The materials can crack if temperatures dip too low.
- Move pieces out of direct sun when not in use to minimize fading. Rotate position occasionally.
With some simple maintenance you can enjoy beautiful handcrafted outdoor furniture for many seasons to come. Protect your investment of time and money.
FAQs
What is the best wood to use for outdoor furniture?
Teak is the gold standard since it has natural weather and insect resistance. Cedar and redwood are more affordable options that resist rot when properly sealed. Avoid porous woods like pine that deteriorate quickly outside.
Should I use treated lumber for outdoor projects?
Pressure treated wood contains chemicals to resist rot and insects. The chemicals can be harmful, especially when used for furniture. Opt for naturally durable woods or synthetic materials instead.
What metal works best for outdoor furniture frames?
Aluminum is lightweight, won’t rust, and is easy to maintain. Wrought iron has intricate decorative appeal, but requires frequent sealing to prevent rust if exposed to moisture.
How do I weatherproof outdoor furniture I’ve built?
Use exterior wood glues during construction. Follow up by applying exterior wood sealers, UV resistant stains, or protective topcoats like marine spar urethane varnish. Re-apply protectants annually.
What is the most budget friendly material for outdoor furniture?
Rattan is an inexpensive natural material used for casual, weather resistant wicker furniture. For durability at low cost, poly lumber utilizes recycled plastics to mimic the look of wood without rotting.
Should I take cushions off outdoor furniture at night?
Remove cushions when not in use. When left out, moisture can become trapped between cushions and furniture, leading to mold growth. Bring cushions indoors or store in a dry place.
How can I revive faded outdoor furniture?
For wood furniture with faded stain or paint, you’ll need to strip the finish and re-stain or repaint. For faded fabric, replace cushions or use fabric dye to infuse color. Faded plastics can be spray painted.
What is the best paint for outdoor furniture?
Look for exterior grade acrylic latex paints formulated especially for outdoor use. They provide superior adhesion, UV resistance, and water repelling abilities compared to indoor paint.
How do I clean mildew from outdoor furniture?
Use a mild bleach and detergent solution. Scrub with soft bristle brush and rinse thoroughly. For natural option, spray on white vinegar and let sit before rinsing. Wear gloves and work in ventilated area.
How can I keep birds from pooping on my patio furniture?
Place decoy owls or reflective ribbons near furniture to deter birds from landing. Apply bird repellent gels to surfaces. Use patio umbrellas for covered protection.
Final thoughts
The patio and backyard are special outdoor spaces that allow you to unwind and find connection. Well-made furniture tailored to your needs helps make these spaces more comfortable and functional. With the right approach, building durable outdoor furniture can be a manageable and deeply satisfying DIY project. Define your needs, choose suitable materials for the climate, refine the design, assemble with care, and maintain regularly to get the most from your handcrafted furniture. Soon you’ll have a personalized backyard retreat to enjoy for years to come.