Classic Adirondack Chair

wood deck chairs fire pit diy plans
Difficulty
Advanced
| Print this plan

DIY adirondack chair plans from Ana-White.com 

This plan features a more upright seating angle, more traditional styling, with a chunkier base.

Photos by Hamilton Park Home

wood deck chairs fire pit diy plans
wood deck chairs fire pit diy plans
wood deck chairs fire pit diy plans
wood deck chairs fire pit diy plans

Pin For Later!

Classic Adirondack Chair

Dimensions
Adirondack Plans
37 1/2" x 30 5/8" x 19 1/2"

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 1 – 1×8, 8′ Long
  • 4 – 1×4, 8′ Long
  • 1 – 2×2, 8′ Long
  • 1 – 1×3 8′ Long
  • 1 1/4″ Exterior rated star bit screws
  • 2″ Exterior rated star bit screws
  • Wood Glue
Common Materials
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List
  • 2 – 1×8 @ 32 3/4″ (Stringers)
  • 1 – 1×8 @ 21″ (Front)
  • 5 – 1×4 @ 21″ (Seat Slats)
  • 2 – 1×4 @ 20 3/4″ (Front Legs)
  • 2 – 1×3 @ 24″ (Arm Supports)
  • 5 – 1×4 @ 30 1/2″ (Back Slats)
  • 1 – 1×3 @ 19 1/2″ (Top Back Trim)
  • 1 – 1×4 @ 19 1/2″ (Bottom Apron Back)
  • 1 – 2×2 @ 22 1/2” (Center Back Support)
  • 2 – 1×4 @ 25 1/2″ (Arm Rests)
  • 2 – 1×3 @ 6″ (Decorative Front Arm Supports)
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Hammer
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Level

Instructions

Step 1

CUT YOUR STRINGERS

From the 1×8 stringers listed in the cut list, use a speed square and carefully mark out the cuts needed with a pencil on the board.  

After all cuts are made, clamp the board down securely and cut off with a circular saw.

Repeat for the second stringer.

Step 2

FRONT APRON Attach your front apron with 2″ screws and glue as shown above.

Step 3

SEAT SLATS Lay your seat slats as shown above, starting with the first flat seat slat. Leave a 1/2″ gap between the slats. Screw down with 2″ screws and glue.

Step 4

FRONT LEGS Use 1 1/4″ screws and glue to attach the front legs as shown above.

Step 5

Step 6

BACK Build the back as shown above.

Step 7

ATTACHING THE BACK Attach the back as shown above. This isn’t an exact science, I purposely choose to use a 1×3 for the arm supports and a 2×2 for the back support so that it would be super easy for you to get the back to line up just right with the seat and arm supports. You may want to enlist your neighbors assistance.

Step 8

ARMS & SUPPORTS Attach your arms with 2″ screws and glue. Then attach the arm supports.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
You should be done! This chair will fit a standard cushion, sized anywhere from 18×18 to 20×20. Can’t wait to see your photos!

Comments

mheuer

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 19:03

I am new to this and I plan on this being my first project. Can I use any type of wood if I plan on painting it? Also can anyone recommend what size miter saw a beginner might want?

treweeks

Mon, 07/21/2014 - 03:53

Great site, great looking chairs. I have cut most of the wood from pallets but am struggling to source 8" wide wood for stringers. widest i have is 6" from fence panel bases (as have just done my fence). i was hoping to do it all from scrap wood rather than buy 4.5m of 8" wood... any ideas? or is it off to the timber merchant for me...?
Thanks!

treweeks

Mon, 07/21/2014 - 03:53

Great site, great looking chairs. I have cut most of the wood from pallets but am struggling to source 8" wide wood for stringers. widest i have is 6" from fence panel bases (as have just done my fence). i was hoping to do it all from scrap wood rather than buy 4.5m of 8" wood... any ideas? or is it off to the timber merchant for me...?
Thanks!

memandyt

Tue, 03/31/2015 - 13:36

I made one of these to just test out the plan and everything worked great! The only problem I saw was the cut list called for the back slats to be 30 1/2" when the plans call for 31 1/2". I have a group of volunteers coming soon & we will be making 8 more of these! I'm so excited to see them all done! Thanks for the super easy plans!

christop

Sat, 05/16/2015 - 09:15

Good plan, made two chairs but figuring out the proper cut list was kind of a pain. Would be great if cuts for 1"x4" where given in details. If you just go down cut list and cut as you go you end up with not enough wood for last 1"x4" cut. Also cut list gives 30.5" as back slat hieght but plans call for 31.5" height.

1"x4" cut list should be:
board #1. 21", 21", 30.5", 19.5" = 92" total
board #2. 21", 21", 25.5", 25.5" = 93" total
board #3. 21", 20.75", 20.75", 30.5" (or 31.5" depending) = 93" total (or 94" total)
board #4. 30.5", 30.5", 30.5" = 91.5" (or @31.5" ea then 94.5" total)

JasonWalters

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 10:11

What type of paint did you use to give it such a smooth finish. Spray paint looks great on mine but you the wood is just soaking it all up.

JasonWalters

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 10:11

What type of paint did you use to give it such a smooth finish. Spray paint looks great on mine but you the wood is just soaking it all up.

LianaBanana

Sat, 08/01/2015 - 10:30

I'm so excited to have found these plans.  My son's catholic school does a huge auction every year and each class has to make a class project.  I'm going to be in charge of that project this year and am so excited to make these with our 2nd grade class.  I'm planning on letting each kid design and paint their own piece of the chair.  It's going to look amazing and I'm sure will be a big money maker!

charmom2015

Tue, 09/08/2015 - 10:44

Hi Ana,  I was preparing to use this plan and I noticed that you are showing the horizontal piece on the chair back (top and bottom) as 19 1/2 ".  You are showing 5 back slats from 1x4 lumber and 1/2" spacing between each back slat.  I'm adding the 5 back slats to get 20" and then add 3 spaces at 1/2" each for a total of 21 1/2".  Doesn't that mean that the 19 1/2" measurement on the diagram is wrong?  Or am I missing something?

Clang

Sat, 05/25/2019 - 05:17

Where is the must see video for the kids project? I am almost ready to build and want to be I get it right the first time. Thanks in advance for your help.

tnmillernc

Fri, 11/22/2019 - 11:56

I would like to build your adirondack chairs but wanted to know if the dimensions for the lumber in your shopping list is actual or nominal?  Your builds are beautiful, functional, and easy for newbies to try.  Thank you!!!

njohnson5303

Sun, 07/19/2020 - 18:52

New here. This is going to be my first project. May be a dumb question, but what does "knock off wood" mean? Can I use any type of wood?

Seasonal And Holiday