Woodworking Plans: Patio Table with Built-in Drink Coolers

Reader Photos and Alterations

We love seeing what you’ve built using Remodelaholic plans! Tag us @remodelaholic or #imaremodelaholic or submit a brag post here to show off your work.

Michael’s outdoor table with ice chests in the center

Michael writes: “This was my first-ever wood working project. I started with the benches and then moved on to the table. The benches worked great. I’m glad you mentioned not cutting everything for the table ahead of time. There were a lot of pieces that needed specific measuring towards the end (ice box lids).

“I used pressure treated pine. It made the table insanely heavy but will hopefully be good for a long time. Because of the weight of the table, I added heavy-duty locking casters to the bottom. This allows me to move it without getting the neighbors.

“I had a little bending in the long boards on the top. I added pocket screws going from the ice box frames across to the outside skirting and it pulled everything into alignment. Also, with the weight, I figured adding some screws would help over time.”

Doug’s Patio Table with Serving Dishes

Doug writes: “I was looking for a project I could build to donate to an auction being held by the PTO of my daughter’s elementary school. I decided on this table, but instead of using the planter boxes as ice chests, I made the holes in the table the same size as the opening for steam table trays. The trays come in about 24 different sizes, and they come in stainless steel as well as two types of plastic. They also come with lids and tons of accessories. Beware though, the trays can get expensive if you’re not careful.

“In addition to the rectangular trays, they have adapters so you can drop in different sizes of round buckets. The buckets are great for soups, sauces, chili, and the like, but they are also good for filling with ice and holding a few bottles of wine or a 12-pack of beer.

“I’m currently in the process of using some parts from an old gas bbq grill to create a small fire pit for the table. I am using one of the full size trays and putting the burner tube inside, covered with either broken glass or lava rocks. a small propane bottle will screw into the bottom of the tray and hang securely from the try while in use. I’m not sure how that is going to work out yet, but I think it will be really neat. The kids could roast hot dogs and marshmallows right in the center of the table.”

So very cool! What a great project, and to donate, nonetheless! A great project for a great cause. Thanks, Doug!

Allan’s Cedar Patio Table with Drink Coolers

Allan says: “Everything was according to the plans, except I made my table from cedar. The flower boxes I used were slightly more narrow and longer than the ones in the plans, so my table ended up being about a foot longer, all told. It’s the envy of our neighbourhood and a welcome place to sit down after a long day at work.”

Anita’s Recycled Wood Patio Table with Coolers

Anita says:”Saw the table and had to have one, but built it in my usual style, from recycled wood. You can make old look good again.”

Marielle’s COOL Table

Inspired by this patio table and our patio coffee table with drink trough, Marielle shared with us her “cool” table, as she called it. 🙂 She writes that they used one large board for the table top and cut out a perfectly-sized section to fit the serving tray so that it hangs by the 4 edges. And see the unique legs? Brilliant! Thank you for the photo!

Paul’s Patio Table with Drink Coolers

Reader Paul B. used our detailed woodworking plans to build this gorgeous patio table!

He says: “Great success and a happy customer! I would suggest to any future users that they pay attention to the instructions which I found quite accurate. Also, the manufacturer of the spar urethane I used recommended FOUR coats if the table is left out to the elements—seems very important!

“We were very pleased with the results and the finished product. I recommend that the user follow the plans and dimensions as close as possible, and make any necessary adjustments as assembly progresses due to the vagaries of construction grade material!”

If you’ve built anything following our plans or inspired by something we’ve posted, we’d love to see!  Submit a brag post here.

 

 

Get the printable drink cooler patio table plans here.

More great outdoor building plans:

• Patio coffee table with built-in planter or drink cooler
• DIY gothic arch garden arbor
• concrete topped indoor-outdoor side table
• easy patio set
• DIY firepit pergola with swings

First posted 09.04.15 // Last updated 02.07.20