It may currently be deep in the winter for most of the northern hemisphere, but that doesn’t mean that it is ever too early to start planning ahead for the furniture that will serve you well throughout the warm weather.
However, if you’re like us, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you want to spend a lot of money on buying manufactured furniture sets. Considering that this is a type of furniture that many people can only use half of the year, it makes sense that they wouldn’t want to invest a large amount of money in procuring it. In many cases, it may make more sense to make some outdoor furniture yourself.
If you think that these projects are above the scope of your creative ability, fear not. In this article, we will offer a collection of do-it-yourself outdoor furniture for a variety of tastes and practical abilities.
Do-it-yourself outdoor furniture
Repurposed Rocking Chairs
The rocking chair is a timeless piece of furniture, and is one of those rare pieces that can look at home both in an outdoor and indoor setting. You can easily take a worn and tired rocking chair and turn it into a porch stable with a little bit of paint. There are some tricks to know before you get started, though. You can find them here.
Simple DIY Chair
Sometimes the only thing that is missing from a lovely outdoor area is a simple chair. And, sometimes a chair that you can purchase from a store just won’t fit the design of your outdoor patio. In these cases you would be better off creating a chair that plays off of your own vision. You can do it with minimal woodworking skills using this tutorial from Angela Marie Made.
Outdoor End Table With Built-In Cooler
What is better than hanging out in the sun with a few friends and drinking? Hanging out in the sun with a few friends and drinking ice cold beverages. Chill your favorite drinks to a desired temperature with ease by building yourself an outdoor end table with a built-in cooler, also known as a beverage table.
DIY Outdoor Hammock
What could be more comfortable than an outdoor hammock? If you do not have a set of crashing waves to place your hammock next to, there is nothing quite like crawling into a hammock with a book on a sunny day. You can craft your own hammock out of easy-to-use materials by following this weekend project tutorial from Bob Vila.
Hanging Bench
If a hammock isn’t quite your thing, you might be better off with a hanging bench. A hanging bench is a particularly popular choice for those who are lucky enough to have a porch with some kind of overhead to which a hanging bench can be easily hung from. Check out this trendy and easy-to-follow tutorial from Ana White.
Bench With Storage
Just like our indoor spaces, our outdoor spaces also need to have abundant storage options. After all, where else will you put items such as backyard toys, shovels, racks, and lawn care items? Jen Woodhouse offers an adaptable plan for anyone who is looking to make their own bench with storage.
Boho Pallet Bed
Our best friends, the wooden pallets, are back again, and they’re here to show you how you can create a stunning outdoor bed that is great for entertaining. The best part about it is that it can be done at a fraction of the cost of what it would cost to purchase something similar. Find out how by Lovely Greens.
Woven Lawn Chair
This variety of lawn chair may have had its true heyday in the 80s, but there are still ways that you can make this retro design work for your space. One such way is by repurposing a broken chair with a touch of macrame. Find out how from My French Twist.
Classic Muskoka Chairs
No matter what you call them from where you are from — Muskoka chair, Adirondack chair, or something totally different —you can always count on this classic outdoor chair to bring a touch of personality to your space. If you follow this tutorial from the Home Depot, you can even use scraps of lumber to put together your own chair at reduced or even non-existent price.
Tire Swing
It’s about time that we see tire swings have a comeback! A childhood favorite, a tire swing is an absolute must-have for anyone with a sturdy tree in their front or back yard. Find out how thanks to this out-of-the-box tutorial that comes courtesy of Ella Claire & Co.
Simple Outdoor Side Table
Sometimes you just need a regular, run-of-the-mill table to place your accessories on while you’re outside. This simple end table design from Girl, Just DIY is the perfect addition to any existing patio set that just needs a little more shelf space.
Homemade Coffee Table With Planter
One of the best things about having a functional outdoor space is finding the proper greenery to fill it with! However, in order to keep plants or flowers on your patio, you are going to need a reciprocal to keep them in. You could always make your own homemade coffee table that comes with a built in planter, such as this example that comes from Remodela Casa.
Lounger Made of Logs
This DIY chair from HomeMade Modern has got to be one of the most creative approaches that we’ve seen to outdoor furniture yet! Having a lounger made entirely out of logs is a perfect way to ensure that your furnishings match with your surrounding environment.
Magnetic Pallet Chair
This is another clever use for pallets in outdoor furniture that comes to us from Uncommon Goods’ YouTube channel. Of course, if you’re not up for the challenge of making one yourself, you can also purchase this exact chair from the Uncommon Goods store.
Outdoor Sectional
Sometimes, one or two chairs outside is just not going to cut it. If you enjoy entertaining large groups, you may want to opt for a larger array of seating, such as an outdoor sectional. This one-of-a-kind outdoor sectional idea from Gray House Studio can show you how to make an incredibly inexpensive outdoor sectional on your own.
Stylish Backyard Lounges
This beautiful DIY lounge chair pattern from Shanty 2 Chic makes for the perfect additions to the side of the pool. For added customization, you can also use your preferred fabric to make interchangeable slip covers for the chairs.
Simple Wooden Bench
Some people may not be concerned with adding more seating options to their outdoor areas. In fact, they may not even be concerned about making an outdoor space look more inviting. If you are just looking to try out your hand at carpentry with a simple project, you may be interested in this adorable bench pattern that is available from Family Handyman.
Table With Umbrella
In a world where you can customize your own table, why not design one that has the space for an umbrella? This pattern from Family Handyman is ideal for anyone who lives in a sunny climate who wants the occasional reprieve from its rays.
Simple Bench
Sometimes the best items of furniture are the simplest ones. This easy farm-style bench from The Handyman’s Daughter shows how you can turn some plain 2×4’s into a usable bench with only a bit of paint and some elbow grease.
Coffee Table With Sandbox
If there are children in your household, you are going to want to make sure that their needs are also met with your outdoor furniture plans. What better way to make sure the children are occupied than through providing them some old-fashioned entertainment, such as a sandbox? Get a whiff of this fantastic idea over at Handmade Haven.
DIY Classic Picnic Table
What isn’t to love about a picnic table? There is a reason why you see this particular seating type make an appearance in parks and playgrounds all across the world. They’re economical, they don’t take up a great degree of space, and they can be quick charming in their appearance! Learn how to make one yourself from DIY Garden Plans.
Outdoor Concrete Bench
If you are able to get your hands on a few concrete blocks, you can use them to make a quaint yet durable bench. If you follow this tutorial from Hunker, you won’t even have to worry about having access to a power saw, as you can get the hardware store of your choice to cut the wooden pieces that you will be using.
Having the right outdoor furniture will ensure that you and your family are getting the most out of your exterior spaces — which will in turn ensure that you are improving your quality of life. As you can see from all of these examples, investing in your outdoor space doesn’t even take a lot of cash — just a bit of creativity.