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2x4 Outdoor Sofa

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ana white 2x4 outdoor sofa
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Difficulty
Beginner Projects
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Build your own outdoor sofa with just 11 2x4s.  Ana White plans include step by step diagrams and shopping and cut list.

We also have a plans to convert this sofa to an outdoor sectional, a matching outdoor coffee table plan, and outdoor wood finishing secrets.

Collections
2x4 Outdoor Collection
Essential
outdoor sofa stained chocolate brown with white cushions and matching coffee table

Reader submitted photo

This simple plan is the foundation for amazing seating in your outdoor space.  Easy to build and customize, designed for standard size cushions, this is one of our most popular plans for good reason.

2x4 outdoor sofa

photo by 14ERMOM 

More Plans in this Collection / Sectional Pieces

Turn your outdoor sofa into a sectional with these plans:

We also share our outdoor wood finishing secrets in this post.

Here's Some Tips to Build Better Outdoor Furniture

tips for better outdoor furniture builds

Want to build better outdoor furniture?  Over the twenty years I've been building, maintaining, and enjoying my own outdoor furniture, I've learned a few tips that can help build longer lasting furniture.  

 5 QUICK Tips for Better Outdoor Furniture

 

 

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2x4 Outdoor Sofa

Dimensions
dimensions diagram for outdoor sofa
Dimensions shown above. Recommend: Build to suit cushions

Preparation

Shopping List
Cut List

RECOMMEND: Build to suit cushions.  

9 - 2x4 @ 72”  (or cushion width x times 3)

13 - 2x4 @ 25-1/2” (or cushion depth plus 1-1/2")

2 - 2x4 @ 28-1/2” (or cushion depth plus 4-1/2")

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Drill
Miter Saw

Instructions

Step 1

Cut the seat framing boards with compound miter saw or similar.

Screw together with self tapping screws.

Step 2

Now for the arms.

Cut the boards.

Attach longer 2x4 to two of the shorter 2x4s with screws.

Step 3

Screw together with screws.

Step 4

Screw together with screws, also attach to board from step 3.

Step 5

Step 6

Attach seat boards to top of seat frame with 2-3/4" screws.

Step 7

Screw back piece at an angle into the arms with 2-3/4" screws.  You can also use pocket holes.

Step 8

Some builders add a middle row to the back/sides to help keep cushions in line.

PDF

PDF Version
Project Type
Sofa
Outdoor Seating, Lounging and Accents
Room
Outdoor
Style
Coastal or Beachy Style Furniture
Farmhouse Furniture
Rustic Furniture Plans

Comments

judie h

Tue, 06/30/2020 - 20:32

I am new to this site but I don't see replies to questions posted and why is an escort service post allowed? Very odd. Is this site professionally managed? I am doubting these plans and see lots of potential holes in the engineering especially if there are no solutions or replies to the followers/builders. I would rather have answers and corrected as the project is appealing but still not convinced it is worth doing.
Thanks if anyone has good answers.

Alfiepon

Wed, 07/08/2020 - 14:07

Here in England we used pressure-treated timber wood with preservatives into the timber to protect against fungal & insect attack enhancing protection. Treating timber wood helps extend the life of this construction material, reducing the levels of upkeep and repair needed. Another important tip for you is to choose the wood that is completely straight, so I always go to pick mine, I never trusted ask for delivery when woods is involve, they can send any random and not completely straight, hope this help. Ana suggested to use a water sealer made by thompson apparently is very nice and water proof to protect the wood

eskgizmo

Wed, 07/22/2020 - 17:54

Great simple and easy design. I tweaked it a little to make 2 smaller love seats to fit under pergola(4 feet seating). I'll definitely be using some of your plans as starting points in future. I had a harder time finding cost effective cushions than actually building pieces. Love em and thank you!!!
2x4 loveseats https://imgur.com/gallery/534Euxl

Wayner1966

Mon, 08/17/2020 - 17:21

Hi. Just wanted to know if using pressure treated 2x4s for the seat frame and seat boards to cut the cost would be a bad idea. (They will be hidden hnder the seat cushions). Thanks

amynash

Sat, 01/02/2021 - 18:09

Hi can someone help me understand this plan.

The arm rest is 28 1/2”
And the piece that fits inside is 25 1/2”
How can this be? 4” should be used up since they are 2x4’s, meaning 2” from each end of the 28 1/2” long board.

Am I making sense?
Therefore it should be 24 1/2” board, right?

lvgully2020

Tue, 03/02/2021 - 10:51

Great plan...so easy. I did use pocket holes instead just to give some extra strength. Anyone have trouble finding cedar boards??

alexandrialillian

Tue, 04/27/2021 - 10:32

Thank you so much, I just made this set for the backyard and we love them! Your builds are always easy to follow and beautiful.

KennyW

Sun, 12/19/2021 - 07:29

According to my measurements there would be 3 cushions at 24” wide x 27” deep. These are extremely hard to find so I am interested to know what others did for cushions. Is there a particular store you found your cushions?

Richard Ray

Sun, 04/24/2022 - 11:40

Cut list is incorrect, found this out after all cuts was followed. the top rails on the sides are NOT long enough. if the sections are 4x2 so the widest point is 4" the smallest is 2" so simple maths 25.5" + the 2 + 2" sections adds upto 29.5" NOT 28.5" so they are 1" too short. think you need to update the cutlist so it's correct