DIY Outdoor Coffee Table

Jenni Jarvis • April 22, 2021

Outdoor Furniture

After I made our outdoor couch from modified plans from Angela Marie Made, I knew we needed to add a coffee table. I wanted to have a place to set down a drink or plate and surface for the kids to play. Not to mention, a place to put up our feet! I thought it would be the best of both worlds if I could make something that could be a coffee table OR bench, and this one met both of those requirements.

Plans

After browsing several plans, I settled this one by Ana White. I liked that it didn't require any mitered cuts, pocket holes or special tools.

It was super simple and I easily put it all together. I made all my cuts with my hand saw, then used a drill to screw everything together. It's built entirely of 2x4s, so it's VERY sturdy. It's interchangeable between a coffee table and a bench. I like flexibility. I patched all my screws and large knot holes with stainable wood putty, before sanding the entire piece well with my electric sander. I used the same stain + sealer to match our outdoor sofa.

Sanding outdoor coffee table and sealing with Thompson's water seal and stain

I love how this table/bench turned out and it has proven to be so useful for us! This is a great beginner-level project!

Seating Area

I pulled everything together with this 5x7 black and white striped rug by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart for $49.98. I can't wait to try out more carpentry projects!

Pin for Later!

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