How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 1
DIY Outdoor Sofa
Free woodworking plans for building an outdoor sofa that seats three and has a diamond center
design on each side.
• Cost: ~$350 (including cushions)
• Difficulty: Intermediate
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 2
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES:
Miter Saw or Circular Saw Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System Drill/Driver
Kreg 2-1/2″ Blue Kote Pocket Hole Screws
2-1/2″ Exterior Wood Screw Countersink Drill Bit
Exterior White Paint, Satin Finish Worn Navy Wood Stain Outdoor Spar Urethane, Satin Finish
Weathered Wood Accelerator Wood Filler Outdoor Deep Seat Chair Cushion Set
WOOD LIST:
Quantity Board Length
15 2×4 96″
2 2×6 108″
CUT LIST:
Quantity Board Cut Length
11 2×4 72″
2 2×6 72″
13 2×4 25 1/2″
2 2×4 30″
11 2×4 17 1/2″
8 2×6 12 3/4″ straight end to long end (one end cut at 45 degrees)
4 2×6 10 13/16″ x 7 5/8″ x 7 5/8″ half diamond (two sides cut at 45
degree angles)
DIY Outdoor Sofa Instructions:
1. Use the miter saw to cut the boards to build the couch seat frame
• Cut two 2×4 boards to 72″ in length each
• Cut five 2×4 boards to 25 1/2″ in length each
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 3
2. Drill two 1 1/2″ pocket holes in each end of one side of the five 25 1/2″ boards.
3. Use wood glue and 2 1/2″ blue Kote pocket hole screws to attach the 25 1/2″ boards to the
two 72″ long 2×4 boards.
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 4
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 5
4. Cut the wood for the sofa side and legs
• Cut eight 2×4 boards to 25 1/2″ in length each.
• Cut two 2×4 boards to 30″ in length each.
• Cut eight 2×6 boards to 12 3/4″ from straight edge to long end, with one end mitered to
45 degrees
• Cut four 2×6 half diamonds measuring 10 13/16″ x 7 5/8″ x 7 5/8″ (two short sides are
mitered to 45 degree angles)
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 6
5. Using the Kreg pocket hole jig, drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes into each of the 2×6 boards, using
the picture below as a template
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 7
6. Drill two 1 1/2″ pocket holes into each end of one side of two of the 25 1/2″ 2×4 boards (one
board for each end of the sofa)
7. Use wood glue and 2 1/2″ blue kote pocket hole screws to attach the 25 1/2″ 2×4 board to two
of the 25 1/2″ 2×4 boards that will form the legs. The 25 1/2″ cross board should be attached so
the bottom of the cross board is 9″ up from the bottom of each leg (see graphic above) for each
side of the sofa.
8. Using wood glue and 2 1/2″ blue kote pocket hole screws and 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws,
attach the 2×6 and 2×4 boards to form the design shown in the graphic above. Attach the 25 1/2″
board directly above the 2×6 design using wood glue and by countersinking 2 1/2″ exterior wood
screws (predrill with countersink bit) through the front and back of the 2×4 legs.
9. Attach the 30″ board (will be the arm rest) to the top of the legs using wood glue and
countersunk 2 1/2″ exterior wood screw (predrill with countersink bit). Ensure that the right and
left side of the couch are facing the correct direction (pocket holes should face towards inside of
couch and the longer side of the armrest should face towards the front of the couch on each side.
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 8
10. Attach the bench frame to the assembled sides/legs of the sofa. The bench frame should be
attached so the bottom of the frame is flush with the bottom 2×4 on the sofa sides. (To get the
seat frame up to the 9″ height so it is flush with the bottom 2×4 on the sides/legs, you can stack 6
spare 2×4 or 2×6 boards underneath some of the boards on the bench seat frame, and then clamp
the bench frame to the side boards.) Attach the seat frame to the sides using wood glue and 2
1/2″ exterior wood screws (predrill first). Attach through the side of the end 2x4s on the seat
frame into the sofa sides.
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 9
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 10
11. Cut the boards for the bench seat top; cut seven 2×4 boards to 72″ in length
12. Attach the bench seat boards to the top of the bench seat frame using wood glue and 2 1/2″
exterior wood screws (predrill holes first). Leave a 2/3″ gap between each board and align the
back and front boards with the edges of the bench frame.
13. Cut the boards for the back of the couch.
• Cut two 2×6 boards to 72″ in length
• Cut eleven 2×4 boards to 17 1/2″ in length
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 11
14. Drill two 1 1/2″ pocket holes into each end of one side of each 17 1/2″ 2×4 board.
15. In addition, drill two 1 1/2″ pocket holes to the bottom side of two of the 17 1/2″ boards, the
pocket holes will point to the right on one of the boards and to the left on the other boards (see
graphic below), these are the end boards on the right and left side of the back of the couch.
16. Drill three pocket holes into each end of one side of one of the 2×6 boards (see graphic
below)
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 12
17. Attach the 2×4 boards to the 2×6 boards using wood glue and 2 1/2″ blue kote pocket hole
screws. Ensure that the 2×6 with the pocket holes is on the bottom, and ensure that the two 2x4s
with pocket holes facing to the side are on the ends, with the pocket hole screw holes facing to
the right on the right side and to the left on the left side.
18. Attach the couch back to the couch frame and sides using wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole
screws. Place the bottom of the couch back on the top of the seat, lining it up with the edge of
the 2nd seat board to the back. Lean the back so the sides line up with the back of the top of the
back of the arm rests and use clamps to hold the back in place while it is being attached.
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 13
19. Cut the boards to support the back of the couch; cut two 2×4 boards to 72″ in length each
20. Drill two 1 1/2″ pocket holes into each end of one side of each board.
21. Using wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws, attach the back support boards:
• Attach one at the bottom of the back rest, immediately behind the bottom 2×6
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 14
• Attach the second 2×4 behind the back rest, about 5” up from the lower support board
(lower the board to the point where the top of the side of the board sits flush with the
back of the back legs).
22. Attach the top and bottom 2×4 support boards to the bench seat back with 2 1/2″ exterior
wood screws (predrill first through the support board into the back rest boards).
23. Fill all holes with wood filler (or you can use pocket hole plugs for the pocket holes) and let
dry completely.
24. Sand the entire couch (start with a low grit sandpaper and then move up to a higher grit
finishing sandpaper).
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 15
25. To get the weathered white finish, first brush on a coat of Varathane Weather Accelerator,
avoiding the diamond areas as much as possible.
26. Apply Rustoleum Navy stain to the diamond pattern, on both the inside and outside portions
of the couch sides.
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 16
27. Once the navy stain has dried, tape off the diamonds using painters tape.
27. Next apply a thin coat of exterior white paint using light brush strokes so the weathered
coloring shows through slightly.
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 17
28. Once the bench has been painted, remove the painters tape from the diamonds.
29. Add cushions and enjoy!
How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sofa | PINSPIRATION MOMMY
PINSPIRATION MOMMY 18
Have questions about these plans? Send me an email at [email protected]
Happy Building!