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Easy Modern Outdoor Sofa
Build your own DIY outdoor furniture at a fraction of the cost to purchase it new!
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Time
- 3.8–7 hours
- Cost
- $$
Cut list
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Seat Frame Boards & 4 Armrest Boards | 7 | 1" × 4" × 22 1/2" | — | ☐ |
| Seating Frame | 2 | 1" × 6" × 72" | — | ☐ |
| Seating Frame, cont. | 2 | 1" × 6" × 22 1/2" | — | ☐ |
| Armrest | 4 | 1" × 4" × 32" | — | ☐ |
| Backrest | 1 | 1" × 4" × 72" | — | ☐ |
| Decorative Slats (Armrest) | 6 | 3/4" × 8" × 25 1/2" | — | ☐ |
| Decorative Slats (backrest) | 1 | 3/4" × 8" × 79" | — | ☐ |
Materials
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Board, 2x4 96" | 4 board | ☐ |
| Board, 2x6 96" | 2 board | ☐ |
| Board, 1x6 96" | 4 board | ☐ |
| Board, 1x8 96" | 3 board | ☐ |
| 2" Kreg Outdoor Pocket Hole Screws | 40 each | ☐ |
| Wood Glue | 1 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools
- Brad Nailer
- Drill / Driver
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Random Orbit Sander
- Table Saw
- Bar / Pipe Clamps — optional
- Combination Square — optional
- Tape Measure — optional
Instructions
1. Build Seat Frame
After making all your initial cuts, start by framing out your seat base. Using a Kreg Jig place pocket holes in either side of two 1 1/2" x 6" x 22.5" seat frame pieces, and attach to inside of the 1 1/2" x 6" x 72" seat frame pieces. Use a little wood glue when attaching all pieces moving forward, and a carpenter square to ensure all joining pieces are square.
2. Complete The Frame
- Add pocket holes on either side of three of your 1 1/2" x 4" x 22.5" boards.
- Attach them within the frame, spaced evenly apart.
- Attach each one flush with the top of the frame. This is your seat base where the slats will lay across later.
3. Assemble Armrest Frame
- Place pocket holes at both ends of four 1 1/2" x 4" x 22.5" boards.
- Screw one 22.5" armrest boards between the two 1 1/2" x 4" x 32" armrest boards, flush to the top.
- Mark 12" from the bottom of either arm/leg piece, then attach the second 22.5" board flipped on it's side, with the top at that 12" mark. Follow these steps again to create the second armrest.
4. Prepare To Assemble
- Put pocket holes in either end of the 1 1/2" x 4" x 72" backrest board.
- Then position the seat frame, armrest frames, and backrest to prepare for assembly.
- Place pieces so the sofa is oriented on it's side for easier assembly.
5. Attach Armrest To Seat Frame
- Attach the armrests to the seat frame while on it's side.
- Screw directly through the armrest frame into the seat frame, and do the same from the seat frame side into the armrest.
- Stagger where you place your screws.
- Set your seat upright.
6. Attach Backrest
Once upright, attach the 72" backrest piece (pocket holes facing back) flush between the two armrests.
7. Add Seat Slats
Evenly space the four 3/4" x 6" x 72" wooden seat slats atop your seat frame, and nail down to the seating frame.
8. Optionally Add Decorative Slats
Optionally nail evenly spaced 3/4" x 8" x 25.5" decorative slats to the outside armrest, and the single 3/4" x 8" x 79" slat across the inside back. These are not necessary for support, but give a modern appeal to the bench. Sand the entire bench well, and stain!
9. Cut List & Wood Selection
Select treated lumber so your sofa bench can stay in the outdoors year round. Pre-cut all your boards, or have them cut for you at the hardware store to save time. It is important to consider whether you have a saw that can handle 2"x 6" and 2" x 8" boards...if not you will want to have them cut at the hardware store. The armrest and backrest is built solely from 2"x4" wood, while the seat is framed out with 2"x6" wood but I will reference the actual rather than nominal sizes moving forward.
