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DIY Outdoor Furniture: Build Your Own Cedar Patio Chair for Less
As homeowners seek to enhance their outdoor spaces, the trend of creating personalized furniture is gaining traction. Whether you’ve recently moved into a house with a spacious backyard, a cozy apartment with a balcony, or an upgraded patio, many are excited to furnish these areas. However, before heading to a big-box store for budget wood patio furniture, there’s a more rewarding option: building your own outdoor furniture.
Constructing a DIY patio chair may not only save you money, but it also allows you to customize the design to fit your personal style. Plus, handmade furniture is often more durable over time. You’ll need a few essential tools: a miter saw, a drill, screws, and cedar wood, which is known for its natural resistance to weather and insects.
For a straightforward and stylish patio chair, you can start by selecting cedar 4-by-4s and 2-by-4s. Here’s a simple guide on how to build your own outdoor chair, along with tips for customization.
Choosing Your Measurements
An effective way to start your project is to choose your cushions first. This decision will help you determine the measurements for your chair’s seat and backrest to ensure standard cushions fit perfectly. Measure the dimensions of your seat cushion to establish seat size, then stack the back cushion on top to find the required height for the backrest. The height of the chair legs is personal preference; however, if you plan to use the chair at a table, leaving a 10 to 12-inch gap between the tabletop and the chair seat, including the cushion, is advisable.
After establishing measurements, it’s time to cut your wood pieces using a miter saw. Essential components include two side frames with 4-by-4 front and back legs, an armrest piece connecting these legs, and a 2-by-4 seat support bar. You’ll also need to cut slats for the seat and backrest. For added comfort, consider an angled design. This can be achieved by cutting the armrest so that the back legs are at a 20-degree angle and sloping the seat to prevent water from pooling during rain.
Assembling the Chair
Before you begin assembly, it’s best to sand the wood pieces and apply a sealing coat, as this becomes more challenging once the chair is built. Start by putting together the side frames. For a neat appearance and better durability, drill 3.5-inch pocket holes in the 4-by-4 cedar pieces, securing them with 4-inch pocket screws. Use 2.5-inch screws for the thinner support pieces.
After assembling the frames, raise them up and attach the seat and back slats at even intervals. If you prefer a solid plywood backrest, that’s an option too. While attaching slats, pre-drilling the holes can help avoid wood splitting, which is common when working with cedar. A useful tip is to dip your screws in paste wax before screwing them in, as this can minimize splitting issues. If your chair ends up unbalanced, consider using leveling feet to stabilize it.
Analyzing the Benefits of DIY
After all the cutting and assembling, you should have a sturdy cedar patio chair ready for outdoor use. The satisfaction of completing a DIY project can be rewarding in itself, but how does this handmade chair compare to store-bought options? A quick cost analysis reveals that prices can be significantly lower for DIY furniture. For instance, the cost of building a 32-inch tall chair with eight slats averages around $131, while a similar pre-made chair could retail for approximately $233.
Even more inexpensive options exist in the market, like folding outdoor chairs, but for those seeking longevity, DIY could be the best route. The wooden chair you build doesn’t just look nicer; it can also be tailored for comfort by adjusting dimensions. If desired, you can expand the design for a spacious sofa or create a matching bench or table, making your outdoor area a cozy and personalized retreat. With DIY furniture, the possibilities are endless.
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