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2x4 Modern Adirondack Chair

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Submitted by Ana White on Sun, 04/26/2020 - 12:09
Difficulty
Intermediate
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For about $30 you can build your own modern Adirondack chairs!  This is an easy build that shouldn't take too long, and the chair is super comfortable and sturdy!  Free plans by Ana-White.com

2x4 modern adirondack chair plans

Why I Built These Chairs

I've been wanting to add some comfortable outdoor seating to our yard in uncovered areas, but it gets to be alot to manage cushions and pillows, trying to keep everything dry, bringing the cushions in when it snows, finding somewhere to store it all ... 

I didn't want to go with plastic chairs, as they blow away in the wind, and I'm forever chasing them down and eventually, picking up pieces of plastic and throwing them away.

So I thought, what if I could build the most comfortable Adirondack chairs ever, that don't need a cushion, that are too heavy to blow away in the wind?  

2x4 modern adirondack chair

2x4 Modern Adirondack Chair Features

  • 2x4 frame is sturdy and solid
  • Building plans are easy to follow and assemble (about an hour a chair)
  • About $30 in lumber per chair
  • Very comfortable without a cushion or pillow
  • Modern styling still has the "Adirondack" look and feel, but with clean lines
  • Can be painted or stained any color

How I Built My Chairs

In this video I go through all the steps to build my 2x4 Modern Adirondack Chairs

Free Adirondack Chair Plans

The free plans for this chair follow.  Please share a photo when you are done so we can see how your project turned out!

Dimensions
Adirondack chair dimensions
Dimensions shown in diagram for modern Adirondack chair

Preparation

Shopping List

3 - 2x4 @ 104-5/8" long (OR 4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long or 92-5/9" long)

1 - 1x10 @ 10 feet long*

4 - 2-1/2" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws

24 - 2-1/2" long self tapping exterior screws (look for the screws with the star bit heads, can be up to 3" long)

30 - 1-1/2" long self tapping exterior screws (same type as the longer screws, can be slightly shorter or longer (up to 2"), these screws are just used to attach the seat boards to the frame)

*If building more than one chair, you only need 9 feet of 1x10 boards per chair.  So for two chairs, you could purchase one 8' long 1x10 and one 10' long 1x10.

Cut List

5 - 2x4 @ 19-1/2" - legs and horizontal supports

2 - 2x4 @ 31-3/4" - arms

2 - 2x4 @ 33-1/4" - both ends cut at 20 degrees off square, ends ARE parallel, long point to short point measurement

2 - 2x4 @ 32-3/4" - back supports

2 - 1x10 @ 22-1/2" - seat

3 - 1x10 @ 19-1/2" - back 

Cutting Instructions

It may be easier to pre-finish your boards before cutting.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Power Sander
General Instructions

Work on a flat level surface.

Instructions

Step 1

As shown in the video, cut the chair stringers at a 90 degree angle at the foot of the stringer with a circular saw.

Build the arms with the 2-1/2" long screws and exterior wood glue.

Make sure the two arms are built the same but in mirror as shown in the diagram.

Step 2

Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on both ends of two of the 19-1/2" long 2x4s.  Attach with 2-1/2" screws to the Adirondack chair frame.

Step 3

Lay the seat boards on the 2x4 frame and attach with three 1-1/2" long screws per end of each 1x10 to the seat frame.  Leave about 1/4" gap in between the seat frame for water drainage.

Step 4

Place the remaining 2x4 @ 19-1/2" long under the back of the chair as shown in the diagram.  

Place one seat support in the chair and hold flush to the bottom of the stringer.

Attach with screws to the stringer and to the back support.

Move to the other side of the chair and repeat with the second back support.

Remove the 2x4 @ 19-1/2" long.

Step 5

Attach the 2x4 @ 19-1/2" to the base of the chair with screws.

Step 6

Starting at the top and working downward, attach the seat back boards to the back of the chair.  Make sure you leave a gap at the base of the back to allow for good water drainage.  Evenly split the gaps for best visual presentation.

Finishing Instructions
Finish Used
Use an exterior appropriate finish.
Help Improve This Plan

We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.

Project Type
Outdoor Seating and Lounging
Room
Outdoor
Style
Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

fessehaye2

Thu, 06/04/2020 - 09:36

I'm beginner in the wood working field and have just completed my very first project following one of your post and built two Modern Adirondack Chairs. Wife and kids really love it and are asking me to build more.

Jeremy68

Thu, 06/11/2020 - 12:42

I am about to build one of these, love thew look of the 1x10" but alas in my area nobody sells 1x10", has anyone given any thought to building this with 1x8" lumber?

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 14:53

I'm replying to my own post, faux pas I know, but my local lumber retailer lied to me, they have 1x10's, they just didn't know that modern lumber doesn't adhere to true length and width, scary yes?

JuliaP

Sat, 06/13/2020 - 04:23

Hi, I love the design of these chairs and am planning to build a couple. I noticed some people have added posts to reinforce the backrest. Do you think the original design is sturdy enough for kids/adults to sit on the armrests?
thanks!

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 14:50

For all those asking about the stain colour, I was able to replicate ( as far as I can tell from a picture, by a light burn, sand, and then an application of a clear wood sealer. Also, through a happy accident I achieved a few degrees of less incline through putting the back support 2x's @ 90 degrees out from plan, so if you are looking for an easier exit chair, this may help, though it does look bulkier. I stained my first chair a black brown semi translucent, i wiped it on, then wiped it off, which I think looks a bit heavy for the Rustic Modern design, love to show but have no idea how to post pics on here so no go.
Im about to embark on my second chair with a few minor tweaks, 45's on the arm fronts, ditto on the back, 2-4" wider to accommodate us big ol' Alberta Boys, one more section higher. again for us big ol' boys, and the modified Shou-sugi-ban on the seat facings. I'm thinking with the awesome plans that Ana has provided and a few unnecessary but form based tweaks I will be able to, as a total amatuer (with subgrade equipment) be able to build something worthy of any firepit.

Jeremy68

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 15:17

Ok, i knowwwwwww this is horrible, never comment on your own posts EVER, but, saying that, here goes.
Just a bit of info if you are going to Shou-sugi-ban your wood, it is a form of wood preservation that come from Japan, it's usually performed on cedar but has the same basic effect on any wood. So, what I'm basically saying here is if you choose this method you are also elongating the life of your wood. I'm going to experiment with burning just the one side of the wood and both and seeing which fairs better, the issue is we'll all be well away from caring once the results are in.
You can use a basic propane torch for this job, it will take a bit but you'll get er' done.