Learn how to build this DIY Lounge Chair with free plans and a how-to video by Shanty2Chic!

I am so excited for summer! This has been quite the school year and this mom is ready for some fun and sun! I got an itch to build a new set of lounge chairs. My cushions had seen better days and rather than finding another set to fit the old chairs, I decided to find cushions that I love and design and build a new set of chairs to fit them! With lumber prices rising, I did my best to keep the cost down on this set. I was able to build this new set for about $125 each! This set of plans is for one chair so if you plan to buid two, make sure to double the shopping list!

As always, I have the how-to video and the free printable plans! Just click play below to watch how easy these are to build!

How to Build a DIY Outdoor Lounge Chair

Supplies:

Tools:

Building the Frame

Step 1 – Build the Frame

Cut the frame pieces to size. Drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes at both ends of the top and bottom frame boards.

Attach them together with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 2 – Attach the Cleats

Cut the cleats to size. Attach them to the inside of the frame, 1 1/4″ from the top of the frame with 2 1/2″ wood screws and wood glue.

Step 3 – Attach the Cross Support

Cut the cross support piece to size and drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes at both ends. Flip the lounge chair upside down and attach the cross support to the bottom of the cleats with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Attaching the Bottom Slats

Step 4 – Add the Bottom Slats

Cut the bottom slats to size. Space them out evenly witht he end slat being flush with the end of the frame. Attach them to the cleats with 2″ wood screws and wood glue.

Tope Slat Assembly

Step 5 – Attach the Top Slats

Use a jigsaw to cut a spot for the top handle on the top slat.

Use a sander to sand the handle spot smooth.

Cut the top slats and back supports to size and lay them upside down. Space the slats out and attach the back supports to the back of the slats with 1 1/4″ wood screws and wood glue.

Step 6 – Build the Back Slider

Cut the back slider pieces to size. Attach the side pieces to the bottom piece with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue. The back of the side pieces should be flush with the back of the bottom piece.

Step 7 – Attach the Back Slider

Center the slider on the back of the top slat assembly and attach it with 1 1/4″ wood screws and wood glue. Cut the spacer blocks to size and attach them to the inside of the slider with 1 1/4″ wood screws and wood glue.

Step 8 – Build the Arm Assembly

Cut the arm assembly pieces to size. Attach the short piece to the long piece with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue. The square ends should be flush with each other.

Step 9 – Attach the Arm Assembly

Center the arm on the top of the cross support. Attach it to the top of the cross support with an outdoor hinge.

Step 10 – Attach the Top Slat Assembly

Note: I waited until I added a finish to attach the top assembly to prevent paint from getting on the hinges. This is optional.

Lay the top slat assembly upside down and top of the bottom slats. Attach the top slat assembly to the bottom slats with a piano hinge. Start by marking each hole on the piano hinge with a pencil.

Use a drill bit to predrill a hole at each mark. This will prevent the wood from splitting when you add the screws.

Attach the piano hinge with the screws provided.

Attaching the Trim

Step 11 – Add the Side Trim

Cut the side trim pieces to size. Attach them to the sides of the frame with 1 1/4″ wood screws and wood glue. The inside of the trim pieces should be flush with the inside of the frame.

Step 12 – Attach the End Trim

Cut the end pieces to size and attach them to the ends of the lounge chair frame with 1 1/4″ wood screws and wood glue.

Step 13 – The Finish

Fill your screw holes with wood filler and sand the entire piece down.

I used 2 coats of an indoor/outdoor spary paint. I needed 5 cans for 2 chairs.

Get creative and make it your own! Make sure to share your builds with us on social media and use #shanty2chic so we can share them too!Happy Building!

I took my DIY Lounge Chairs to the next level with the new misting products from Lowe’s!

The Cooling Tower gives the perfect mist on a hot summer day and it’s perfect to cool down a group!

The Mini Mister is perfect for personal use!

They’re so easy to use! Just hook them up to a garden hose! They’re available exclusively at Lowe’s! My summer just got a lot more cool! Check out the entire line of new misting products here, they’re so fun, affordabe and easy to use!

Check out our other Free Lounge Chair Plans

Click here for the free plans!

Click here for the free plans!

4.34 from 3 votes

DIY Outdoor Lounge Chair

Learn how to build this DIY Lounge Chair with free plans and a how-to video! Get the full set of free printable plans including the shopping list here!

Tools

  • Miter Saw
  • Drill
  • Kreg Jig
  • Table Saw (optional)
  • Brad Nailer
  • Sander
  • Jigsaw

Supply List

  • 4 2x6x8
  • 2 1x6x8
  • 8 1x4x8
  • 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
  • 1 1/4" Wood Screws
  • 2 1/2" Wood Screws
  • Wood Glue
  • 1 1/2" Hinge
  • Piano Hinge

Instructions

Cut List

  • Cut List 1

Building the Frame

  • Cut the frame pieces to size. Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes at both ends of the top and bottom frame boards. Attach them together with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
  • Cut the cleats to size. Attach them to the inside of the frame, 1 1/4" from the top of the frame with 2 1/2" wood screws and wood glue.
  • Cut the cross support piece to size and drill 1 1/2" pocket holes at both ends. Flip the lounge chair upside down and attach the cross support to the bottom of the cleats with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Attaching the Bottom Slats

  • Cut the bottom slats to size. Space them out evenly witht he end slat being flush with the end of the frame. Attach them to the cleats with 2" wood screws and wood glue.

Top Slat Assembly

  • Cut the top slats and back supports to size and lay them upside down. Space the slats out and attach the back supports to the back of the slats with 1 1/4" wood screws and wood glue.
  • Cut the back slider pieces to size. Attach the side pieces to the bottom piece with 1 1/4" brad nails and wood glue. The back of the side pieces should be flush with the back of the bottom piece.
  • Center the slider on the back of the top slat assembly and attach it with 1 1/4" wood screws and wood glue. Cut the spacer blocks to size and attach them to the inside of the slider with 1 1/4" wood screws and wood glue.
  • Cut the arm assembly pieces to size. Attach the short piece to the long piece with 1 1/4" brad nails and wood glue. The square ends should be flush with each other.
  • Center the arm on the top of the cross support. Attach it to the top of the cross support with an outdoor hinge.
  • Lay the top slat assembly upside down and top of the bottom slats. Attach the top slat assembly to the bottom slats with a piano hinge.

Attaching the Trim

  • Cut the side trim pieces to size. Attach them to the sides of the frame with 1 1/4" wood screws and wood glue. The inside of the trim pieces should be flush with the inside of the frame.
  • Cut th ened pieces to size and attach them to the ends of the lounge chair frame with 1 1/4" wood screws and wood glue.
  • Fill your screw holes with wood filler and add a finish! I used an indoor/outdoor spary paint. Get creative and make it your own! Make sure to share your builds with us on social media and use #shanty2chic so we can share them too!
    Happy Building!
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