When I wanted to build a new outdoor dining set, I immediately turned to the Ana White website to browse the plans. I chose the simple outdoor dining table and this is my much modified version of that plan.
I liked the look of the table and the bench and the vertical slats but I needed to modify the plan to build a larger table that could seat as many as 10 if needed. I also wanted a curved bench top because of aesthetics and because it's so much more comfortable. I soon realized that I wouldn't be able to keep the vertical slats in the bench and get the curve I wanted. Once I went with horizontal lines in the bench I modified the table to match.
I finished building the tables and benches at 3 am on a Saturday morning, just in time for a family BBQ at 6 pm. There wasn't time to apply a finish, but I plan on using a golden pine stain and semi-gloss clear urethane sealer with UV protection.
Poplar was on sale when I went shopping for wood. It wasn't my first choice but the price made it hard to turn down. Because the legs sit directly on the ground I chose pressure treated 4X4 lumber for those.
Although the finished product is much different than the original plans for the simple outdoor table, I hope you enjoy seeing what I was able to build from that starting point.
