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A 2x4 outdoor chair frame designed around store-bought standard cushions — the cushion sets the dimensions, a 5° sloped stringer sets the comfort.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 21 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Armrests | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 30 3/8" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Seat stringers Both ends 5° off square, long point to short point, ends PARALLEL — the seat slope. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 27 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Seat slats and front Or the width of your cushions. | 5 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 20" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Back uprights Modify to your back cushion's height. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 26" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Back top cap Matches cushion width. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 20" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ft | 4 each | ☐ |
| 2x2, 20" Back top cap — cut to your cushion width. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Exterior screws, 2-1/2" to 3", self-tapping, star drive | 50 each | ☐ |
| Exterior stain | 1 pint | ☐ |
| Standard outdoor seat and back cushions Not in the cost estimate — buy FIRST; every dimension defers to them. | 2 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior screws, 2-1/2" to 3", self-tapping, star drive
Attach an armrest across two legs, then position the seat stringer — 5° slope, HIGH side toward the front leg — and screw it to both legs, two screws per joint.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior screws, 2-1/2" to 3", self-tapping, star drive
Build the mirror arm frame directly on top of the completed one, stringers matched up. Stacked parts can't drift; measured parts can. Check that the pair are mirrors, not twins, before moving on.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior screws, 2-1/2" to 3", self-tapping, star drive
Stand the two arm frames stringer-high-side down, block them steady, and screw one 20" slat across the front of the stringers — two screws per joint. The floppy pair becomes a chair skeleton on this one board.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior screws, 2-1/2" to 3", self-tapping, star drive, Standard outdoor seat and back cushions
Set the BACK slat first, positioned for your actual cushions — the source used 21-1/2" of seat depth for 20" cushions, because the back cushion folds at the seam and eats an inch and a half. Then space the middle slats evenly by eye and screw everything down.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw, Pocket Hole Jig, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, 2x2, 20", Exterior screws, 2-1/2" to 3", self-tapping, star drive, Exterior stain, Standard outdoor seat and back cushions
Pocket-hole the back panel's ends (1-1/2" setting, two holes per end) and attach between the arm frames with 2-1/2" screws. Set your back cushion in place and cut the two back uprights to suit it — remembering the 1-1/2" 2x2 cap still to come — then attach each upright at three points: sides, backrest, and back slat. Those three-point connections are the chair's rigidity.
Cap the top with the 2x2, sand everything, and stain. Floppy cushions? Add more back slats — the frame doesn't mind.