We were just getting ready to head to the department store for yet another patio furniture set when I had an epiphany.
We never actually like anything we buy from the store. Without exception, either the furniture we buy isn’t comfortable, or it doesn’t hold up well to the weather. There never seems to be an exception. So why not build something ourselves instead this time around?
My husband and I have plenty of experience with backyard and patio projects—everything from building a stone fire pit to making a literal bed of grass. So I embarked on a YouTube quest to find the perfect project for comfortable patio seating! And here is what I found:
Detailed photo instructions on Homemade Modern website here.
This sofa is built entirely out of wood, though the gray color of the paint makes it look almost like stone when you first see it. Of course, you could finish it in any color you wanted, but I kind of like the minimalist appeal of the black cushions and the gray wood.
Watching the video, you will see that the design itself is ridiculously simple—and thus ridiculously easy as well. By now my husband and I have a fair bit of experience between us with carpentry, but I still get a little nervous about super complicated woodworking projects, so I was glad to see that this project wasn’t going to be too demanding.
We plan to work on the sofa in a few weeks—I just can’t wait! If you decide to try constructing this for your own deck or patio, be sure to let us know how it goes!
Lori
We just made this this past weekend. Could not find 4x8's for the arms, so we used 4 4x6's stacked instead 3 4x8's (both equal 24" tall when stacked) was really easy. We sanded post putting it together. Can't wait to put it to use at the pool this summer!
sHELLIE
I'm so glad you posted this. I was at Home Depot, staring at the 4'X6"s wondering if this would work. I'm going back to buy them.
Also, that's a good idea sanding them after putting them together.
lukas
Hello ... can you write me information about this wood 4×8’ in centimeters? thanks 🙁
mrjean
for convert you can find tool online to switch inch to centimeter
4×8’ ~ 10x20 cm
Tony
Very nice! We're definitely building one!
Anthony
What was the total cost?
lyell
Did you use pressure treated wood? Just wondering because that will hold up longer outdoors. I built two of these and then two smaller chairs using the same general format. Very easy and even with the more expensive pressure treated wood I saved a ton!
Kaija
Can't buy 4×8s in Canada. What do you recommend for the sides? I'm running a blank
cARINA
How much weight does it hold?
Oscar
What is the color of the stain? I really like that color,I am building a single chair,I used 6X6's, 5 high each side and routed all the edges
Michael Erickson
Beautiful design, minimalist look, I have seen this style at "Restoration Hardware" for thousands of dollars. Awesome job guys.
gene jarecki
built the sofa and two chairs. used cedar wood. finished with eleven coats of linseed oil mixed with turpentine. looked great.....till the sun and a bottle of water apparently magnified the heat and ignited the wood. in seconds the chair was an inferno and then the sofa followed by the other chair. my parrot was also cooked. he was between the furniture.. also the canvas awning went as well as the bonsai that was in the family for three generations.. now I can see the moon at night much better.
Josh Leviton
Hi I was trying to build this and ran into a problem while making the arms. I drilled pilot holes that were 3/16" and screwed the 4x8 pieces together using 5/16" lag screws but the lag screws started breaking before being fully tightened. I figured I must need bigger pilot holes but it didn't even look like you used pilot holes. Do you know of any way to remove the broken screws? Or have a suggestion for how big I need to make the pilot holes for another attempt? Any help would be thoroughly appreciated. Thanks
Vivian Epps
are there any instructions on how to build this thing? how do you attach the seat?
ChriS
Well I built one of these beautiful benches. It turned out really well. Only suggestion I would make is to support the 2x8 seat and backing with 1x1’s instead of the L-brackets to make a tighter fit. The brackets leave too much gap between the pieces and translates into side movement.
Tiffany
What grit sandpaper did you use? I’m going to try to make this. You did an awesome job. It looks amazing.