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A reclining outdoor lounge chair with a hinged back that folds flat, built from 1x2 and 1x4 stock with a slatted seat and a simple dowel-and-strap incline catch.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side stringers Notched for the base support, inside legs, and back hinge line. | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 73 1/4" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Base support | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 22 1/2" | Pine 2x2 | ☐ |
| Sides | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 81 3/4" | Pine 1x4 | ☐ |
| Inside leg piece Cut to a taper to match the outer leg. | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 14" | Pine 1x4 | ☐ |
| Front and back | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 24" | Pine 1x4 | ☐ |
| Stretchers | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 22 1/2" | Pine 2x2 | ☐ |
| Outer leg Tapered to match the inside leg piece. | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 12 1/2" | Pine 1x4 | ☐ |
| Fronts and backs of legs | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 12 1/2" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Main slats Spaced about 1-1/2" apart. | 24 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 24" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Support slats | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 24" | Pine 1x4 | ☐ |
| Back stringers | 3 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 30 1/2" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Back incline support | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 16 1/2" | Pine 1x4 | ☐ |
| Back incline catch | 1 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 24" | Hardwood dowel, 3/4" | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Pine, 2x2, 8 ft | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x2, 8 ft | 10 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x4, 8 ft | 5 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 2" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 1-1/4" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Hinges | 5 each | ☐ |
| Hardwood dowel, 3/4", 24" | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pipe straps, 3/4" | 4 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
| Wood filler | 1 can | ☐ |
| Outdoor finish | 1 can | ☐ |
| Outdoor foam, 24" wide, 48" and 30" lengths Two pieces for the seat and back cushions. | 1 set | ☐ |
| Outdoor fabric, for cushions | 2.5 yard | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Circular Saw, Tape Measure. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft
Notch out the side stringers as shown in the plan — you can add extra notches beyond the plan's if you want more customization.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2", Wood glue
Fasten the base support between the side stringers with glue and 2" screws.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x4, 8 ft, Wood screws, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Fasten the sides to the side stringers, keeping the bottom edges flush, with glue and 1-1/4" screws. The front and back ends of the stringers will sit about 4-1/4" proud of the sides.
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x4, 8 ft, Wood screws, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Cut the inside leg pieces to a taper, then fasten them to the sides with glue and 1-1/4" screws.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2", Wood glue
Fasten the stretchers to the inner legs with 2" screws and glue.
Tools: Circular Saw, Hammer. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft, Pine, 1x4, 8 ft
Cut the taper on the outer leg pieces to match the inner legs, then fasten outer to inner with 1-1/4" nails through the insides. Fasten the front (or back, on the back legs) pieces to both the inner and outer leg pieces.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft, Pine, 1x4, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2", Wood glue
Starting with the front 1x4 piece and the last slat that lands on the base support, fasten the main slats to the stringers with 2" screws and glue, spacing them about 1-1/2" apart.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 1-1/4"
Build the back frame, keeping the top and bottom edges flush with the back stringers — the slats will sit about 1" proud of the stringers. Fasten through the back stringers into the backs of the slats with 1-1/4" screws to keep the screw heads hidden.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Hinges
Lay the back in the lounger and attach its last slat to the lounger's last slat with three hinges, all positioned over the back stringers. Lay each hinge flat on top of the slats so the pin rests in the gap between the two slats.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Hinges, Hardwood dowel, 3/4", 24", Pipe straps, 3/4"
Attach the dowel to the incline supports using the pipe straps, positioning it at the very end of the supports so it folds up flush with the top when the lounger lies flat. Hinge the incline supports to the 1x4 back slat.
Fold the back down flat and confirm the dowel rests just above the last seat slat — this is what lets the back lie flat and still catch at a reclined angle.
Tools: Tape Measure. Materials: Wood filler, Outdoor finish, Outdoor foam, 24" wide, 48" and 30" lengths, Outdoor fabric, for cushions
Fill screw holes with wood filler, sand every surface, and apply an outdoor-rated finish. Cut the foam to fit the seat and back and cover with fabric to make the two cushions.