Get ready to relax with a DIY lounge chair, with storage for cushions or other pool items. Build your own reclining deck lounger for under $100 each with these woodworking plans.
Complete your outdoor oasis with a patio table with drink coolers, outdoor farmhouse coffee table, or built-in deck benches.
Hi it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt back with another build plan. The weather is getting warm again and it’ll be nice to spend time outside in the sun. I have been swooning over these outdoor lounge chairs with storage, shared by a European magazine. The magazine shares a rough sketch and tutorial in metric measurements to build this reclining deck lounger.
The Inspiration Photo | source
For those of us in the good ol’ USA, I changed the dimensions to fit common outdoor cushions and readily available lumber. Besides looking cool, these reclining DIY lounge chairs are nice because you can store the cushions in the compartment when not in use.
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How to Build an Outdoor Lounge Chair
Materials & Tools
Get the full materials list and cut list in the printable woodworking plan.
- 2″ x 6″ x 8′ boards (actual 1 ½” x 5 ½”)
- 2″ x 2″ x 8′ boards (actual 1 ½” x 1 ½”)
- 1″ x 6″ x 8′ boards (actual ¾” x 5 ½”)
- 4″ heavy strap hinges
- 2 1/2″ screws – self tapping preferred
- 2″ screws – self tapping preferred
- sandpaper
- sealer
- miter saw
- drill/driver
DIY Lounge Chair, built by reader Maud 34 Creations
What does it cost to build a DIY lounge chair?
You can build this reclining lounge chair for under $100! Estimated lumber and hardware cost: $88.
I used 2″ x 6″ boards for the bulk of the build because 2″ x 6″ are cheaper here than 1″ x 6″ boards.
Your costs will vary by the wood type you choose. Redwood (like used for this bench) will cost more but also has some natural resistance to water, so it will last longer, too.
What size is a lounge chair?
The finished reclining lounge chair measures 78″ L x 30″ W x 18″ H.
What size cushion fits the lounger?
The seat of the lounger measures 78″ x 30″, so we recommend a wide 27-28″ cushion like this set. Any cushion narrower than 30″ will fit; you could also adjust the width of the DIY lounge chair to fit specific cushions, if you choose. Some of our lounge cushion picks:
DIY Lounge Chair, built by reader Maud 34 Creations
How to Finish an Outdoor Wood Lounge Chair
Lightly sand the wood, then seal the wood for outdoor use. There are a variety of wood finishes for outdoor furniture, such as:
- outdoor waterproofing stain that’s clear or semi-transparent (like we used on our deck)
- a traditional outdoor stain that adds color (like we used on our deck pergola)
- spar varnish (like we used on our outdoor sectional)
- spar urethane (like on the patio table with drink coolers)
- penetrating oil such as teak oil or tung oil (like we used to restore our wood deck)
- clear epoxy resin (which is also great for wood countertops)
After finishing and allowing time to dry, just add outdoor chaise cushions and enjoy!
Purchase DIY lounge chair woodworking plans HERE.
Built something from a Remodelaholic plan? Show it off by submitting a photo here!
Check out more projects at Hertoolbelt
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Scroll Console Table // 7 Drawer Dresser // Accent Table
More outdoor woodworking projects:
- Patio Table with Built-In Ice Boxes
- Fire Pit Pergola for Swings
- Outdoor Coffee Table with Drink Cooler Trough
First published 05 May 2015 // Updated 05 May 2020
This is definitely something I could use in our backyard. Thanks for the really thorough tutorial!
I’m so thrilled that you posted this! I just came across those plans last week and was going to do all of the conversion from metric so I could figure out how to make them. You’ve done all of that work for me — and more! Hooray! I hope to be able to make one of these for my deck and maybe put it on some locking casters. (Probably will use 4 locking ones and then 2 non-locking in the middle for extra support since it’s so long.) Thanks for doing this, and thanks to Remodelaholic for posting it!
Thanks, Ashley! We’d love to see pictures when you build it!
Did you use regular wood or pressure treated?
Thanks for sharing.
I made this with my son as our first ever woodworking project! turned out great
This might be just the thing for our up-coming garden revamp – thanks for sharing the plans!
I love these. Where are you all finding the perfect cushions for them though? And do they skip around? I was wondering if there should be a little lip on the edge to hold them securely?