DIY Modern Wood Chair Tutorial
Patio furniture can be pricy! This DIY modern wood chair tutorial can save you hundreds on outdoor seating, and are fairly simple to make!
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DIY Modern Wood Chair Supplies:
- 24 in. x 24 in. cushion and pillow for backrest (These cushions come in lots of colors!)
- (4) 2x6x8
- (3) 2x4x8
- (1) 2x2x8
- 1 quart stain of your choice
- 1 quart of polyurethane
- Miter saw or handheld circular saw
- Pocket hole jig
- Clamps
Cut List:
- Front and back slats: (7) 2×6 @ 24”
- Arm rests: (2) 2×4 @ 25 1/4″
- Side slats (6) 2×6 @ 24”
- Front legs: (2) 2×4 @ 22 1/4”
- Back legs: (2) 2×4 @ 34”
- Seat slats: (5) 2×4 @ 24”
- Inside cleat: (2) 2×2 @ 24”
Step #1: Make Wood Cuts
First, I want to give Ana White credit for where I adapted these plans from! You can find her original plans here, and my alterations are below. I changed them because I wanted to use smaller cushions and have a taller back.
Okay, on to the wood cutting! I cut each piece with a miter saw, then labeled them with a pencil. A circular saw will also work if you don’t have a miter saw. Make sure to cut your wood nice and straight.
DIY Modern Wood Chair Step #2: Drill Pocket Holes
Next, drill two pocket holes into each of the back slats and screw them to the back legs using a scrap 1×3/4″ to space them out.
Step #3: Add the Arm Rests and Secure Everything Together
Add the top armrest piece for both sides. Having two people is ideal for this step, but if no,t you can thread a board between slats to support the back boards while you attach. There are some great, detailed photos of this process on Ana White’s website!
Once the arms are attached to the back and front pieces, two cleats are screwed to the insides of the arms, and seat slats rest on top, the assembly of this DIY modern wood chair is complete!
Step #4: Stain and Finish With Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a must for most woodworking projects, but especially for these DIY modern wood chairs that will be exposed to the elements outside.
Enjoy your DIY modern wood chair!
Top the chairs with a cushion and sit back and relax! These chairs turned out to be so functional and sturdy.
