2x4 Outdoor Sofa

Difficulty

Beginner

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

outdoor sofa sectional made from 2x4s with blue cushions

outdoor sofa stained chocolate brown with white cushions and matching coffee table

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Build your own outdoor sofa! You'll just need some 2x4s and screws! This plan uses standard 24" x 24" "Deep Seat" cushions, available at most retailers, like these from Target.

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.

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Dimensions

Dimensions shown above. Recommend: Build to suit cushions

Preparation

Shopping List

11 - 2x4x10’ (prefer cedar boards)
3 - Deep Seat Cushions, 24" x 24" x 4-5" deep, with matching pillows
150 - 2-1/2” to 3" long, self-tapping exterior decking screws (#8, #9 or #10 will all work)

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

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.

Project Type

Sofa

Outdoor Seating and Lounging

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…

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.

nermin.sahmanovic

Fri, 07/03/2020 - 17:54

Something other than cedar?

Cedar 2x4’s seem to be on expensive side? Would you recommend cheaper wood that would also last long time outdoors (pressure treated pine, redwood). What are your thoughts?

Thanks

Alfiepon

Wed, 07/08/2020 - 14:07

Here in England we used…

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

conniebreck65

Mon, 07/13/2020 - 17:32

back rest on sectional?

Does this sectional have a back rest? I built the low back modern chairs and my husband isn't crazy about them because of no back. Thanks

eskgizmo

Wed, 07/22/2020 - 17:54

Easy and beautiful!!

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

hojoah59

Sun, 08/02/2020 - 17:08

using just 2x4x8 only

sometimes it is hard to get 2x4x10s. If I were to use 2x4x8s how many would i need?

Thanks

dktoronto

Mon, 08/10/2020 - 21:05

I used only 8ft boards -…

I used only 8ft boards - think you can get away with 15 of them as I recall.

Wayner1966

Mon, 08/17/2020 - 17:21

Cutting Costs

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

jgordon

Thu, 08/20/2020 - 21:46

Cushions

What are the dimensions for the cushions?

amynash

Sat, 01/02/2021 - 18:09

The measurement is wrong?

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?

elliecee

Thu, 02/11/2021 - 15:40