How do I Build Adirondack Lawn Furniture?

Adirondack chairs are outdoors furniture for your patio or lawn.

Adirondack chairs are easy and affordable to make as a DIY project. Adirondack furniture has been around since 1903. This style of furniture got started in the Adirondack Mountains of New York and has been found throughout the world on porches, decks and outdoor living spaces ever since. Adirondack chairs are easy and affordable even for the beginning do-it-yourself-er.

Things You'll Need

• Drill
• Drill bits
• Screwdriver
• Socket wrench
• Jig saw
• Sand paper
• 2-inch exterior screws
• 4 galvanized carriage bolts with washers 3/8-by-2 1/2 inches
• 2 chair frames 1-by-6-by-39 inches
• 2 legs 1-by-6-by-22 ½ inches
• Lower back frame 1-by-4-by-24 1/4 inches
• 4 back slats 1-by-6-by-40 inches
• 2 arm braces 1-by-4-by-7 inches
• 13 seat slats 1-by-1 3/8-by-24 1/4 inches
• 2 arms 1 1/2-by-5 1/4-by-31 1/2 inches
• Upper back frame 1-by-6-by-30 1/4 inches
• Stain or paint
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Mark each piece of wood with a number or letter to ensure that, say, an arm brace does not get mistaken for a frame piece.

2. Cut the back slats with a jig saw. These pieces should be 1-by-6-by-40 inches. Use your first piece as a template for the other three. With a pencil mark a line at the base so the width will be 4 1/8 inches on center. Move up the piece towards the top at 18 1/2 inches from bottom and mark so it is 5 1/4 inches on center. The top will remain 6 inches wide. Take your pencil with a straight edge and connect the points from the base to the 18 1/2 inch mark and follow all the way to to the top. Use a yard stick to ensure that the lines are straight.

3. Sand any rough edges with a piece of sand paper. This will save time during the final step when paint or stain is applied.

4. Attach the legs to the front of the chair frame pieces on each side with two galvanized carriage bolts with washers. Pre-drill the holes using a drill and drill bits. The front legs should sit about six and one half inches from ground to base of chair frame. This measurement can be adjusted for your individual needs and preferences. Use a socket wrench to tightly secure the bolts in place.

5. Attach the arm braces to the outside of the leg pieces using the 2-inch exterior screws. Pre-drill the holes to prevent the wood from splitting. The arm pieces are attached to the top of the leg pieces resting on the arm braces for support. The top arm should be attached using the 2-inch exterior screws through both the leg and arm braces. The back part of the arm will attach to the top back frame.

6. Attach the back slats to the upper and lower back frame, using 2-inch exterior screws. Pre-drill the holes to ensure that the wood pieces do not split. The top back brace should be placed so the arm pieces are level to the floor. Mark the locations of each brace and then pre-drill the holes. The lower back frame will be attached at the base of the back slats.

7. Attach the back of the chair to the chair frame. Use the lower back frame to attach this section to the chair frame and then attach the arm to the top back frame using the 2-inch exterior screws.

8. Attach the seat slats in the same manner as the back slats using the drill to pre-drill the holes and attaching with the 2-inch exterior screws.

9. Apply a generous coat of stain or paint and allow to dry before using your chairs.

10. 

Tips & Warnings

• Lay your materials and tools out to allow you to have easy access and view of all materials. Laying your wood out by size for each piece will be helpful.

• Purchase an Adirondack chair kit to use as a template to create additional chairs. There are a number of patterns and designs for Adirondack chairs. Once you have mastered the use of measuring, cutting and assembling the basic Adirondack chair, you can attempt a more difficult pattern or create your own for a one-of-a-kind Adirondack chair.You can also customize the size of this pattern by adjusting the width and height of the board lengths.

• The use of power equipment can be dangerous so exercise caution when handling power equipment.