6 DIY Outdoor Patio Furniture Ideas

Outdoor furniture is not terribly different from indoor furniture, apart from the fact that it needs to be specially treated to endure the elements. But the price of furniture may add up, going beyond your budget.

Luckily, you can DIY your own furniture, so you can not only keep your costs down but make something that’s totally you, too.

Here are six DIY patio furniture pieces, each with plans that you can follow along. They vary in complexity, but as long as you know how to use a saw and a drill, there’s really nothing you can’t do when it comes to outdoor furniture.

Ever wanted string lights without having to put up a large structure like a pergola? Strategically placed posts will do the job just as well. In order to keep a post up and balanced you’ll need a base. That makes it a perfect spot to plant a few flowers, so you can brighten your outdoor space during the day as well as at night.

As useful and decorative as they are, making a light post yourself is pretty simple to do. These ones are small and versatile enough to fit on any patio, porch, or outdoor space. And you could make as many or as little as your space requires.

You can find the plans for this little DIY wonder on the Fresh Mommy Blog, which include a materials list, cut list, and step-by-step instructions. With this, you can put up all the string lights you can handle.

This spacious outdoor coffee table comes with a lattice-like base and an octagonal surface, making it a cute statement piece for your space. It’s pretty large as far as coffee tables go, which is perfect for holding drinks, snacks, books, and anything else you may bring outside with you.

The plans for this outdoor coffee table, which you can find on Remodelaholic, are incredibly extensive, with the cut and materials list, a full diagram, and a video tutorial.

If you’d rather make your table surface out of a different material, or don’t like the octagon shape, they’ve got you covered too, giving tips on how to make a round table top as well as one made of concrete or stone.

This beautiful outdoor table would look amazing sitting cross-legged on a deck or patio. The white and black painted wood give it a modern feel, while the X-shaped legs make it just a bit more country. It looks sophisticated and professional, but you can actually make this table at home.

Check out the guide on Honeybear Lane. It’ll show you the dimensions for the top of the table and the cross legs, and give you step-by step instructions accompanied by photos to show you exactly how it’s done. It’s a surprisingly simple project, yet it produces a pretty timeless table.

Perfect for a relaxing day by the pool or under the sun, this outdoor lounge chair is one piece of furniture you might want to consider adding to your patio. It has a reclined back and an angled bottom piece, which means you’ll be able to lounge at a comfortable angle.

Whether you want to catch up on your reading or work on your tan, you’re sure to put this chair to good use. The clean wooden planks are so reminiscent of a luxury spa that you may find yourself one cucumber facial away from the real deal.  

If you’re ready to DIY your own lounge chair, check out the plans on Build Something. You’ll find the materials, cut list, and steps, all organized neatly so you can find what you’re looking for quickly.

You can pretty much do anything with a few pallets and a little creativity. This outdoor sectional is made from pallets that were painted black to give them a modern feel. The seat cushion is actually a modified mattress topper, which means you’re sitting outside with style and comfort.

It’s quite large, providing a great deal of seating on your patio, so you can have a lot of guests over for a backyard get-together. Or it could be a pretty good place to take a nap outdoors. Whatever works.  

 You can find the full plans for this DIY outdoor sectional from Angela East. There you’ll find the materials and cut lists, and several pages of detailed instructions so you know exactly how to transform a bunch of pallets into a functional seating area.

Just like its indoor counterpart, an outdoor couch is a very basic yet useful to have piece of furniture.

Whether you plan to entertain or want a place outside where you can relax and hang out, you’ll probably end up using your outdoor couch more than a few times during the warmer months. Pair it with a coffee table and you’ll have yourself an outdoor living room right on your patio.

You can find out how this couch was made on Love and Renovations. The plans will show you what materials to use and what cuts to make and guide you through the process. This one is a little more complex, but in the end, you’ll have an excellent piece of outdoor furniture that will last you a very long time.