Adirondack Chair Plan

2X4 Adirondack Chair Plan Overview

If you are looking for the perfect outdoor chair for your pool, campfire, fire pit, or cabin retreat, these easy to make DIY Adirondack chairs are for you!

Ever since creating our home made fire pit a few years back, we have been searching for a durable outdoor chair solution. One that can stand up to the rigors of the weather and outdoor elements.

With their strong and tough 2 x 4 construction, these chairs fit the bill! We designed them with comfort and durability in mind. 

In just a few hours, you will go from a small stack of 8 2 x 4 x 8’s to a great looking chair!

TOOLS NEEDED

The following is a list of tools you will need to complete this 2x4 DIY Adirondack Chairs. You can complete the entire chair with simply a jig saw, speed square and a screw gun - but having a circular saw or compound miter saw will make it even easier. 

Tool Note : The compound miter saw will be the easiest choice to make the beveled cuts needed, but it can also be accomplished with a speed square and circular saw, or a hand saw if preferred.

MATERIAL LIST

THE MATERIALS LISTED BELOW ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE 1 ADIRONDACK CHAIR

  • (8) 2x4x8’s
  • You can use either treated lumber, cedar or traditional lumber. If you are painting, we recommend using traditional untreated lumber, it will be a smoother finish if you apply a coat of primer and two coats of enamel paint. If using treated lumber, be sure to let the wood dry out before staining or painting.
  • (60) 2 ½” exterior wood screws
  • Liquid Nails or Wood Glue is optional

2X4 CUT LIST FOR ADIRONDACK CHAIR

Using the cut list below, you can cut the pieces for the chair in the most efficient manner.

This list assumes you will lose about .120 to .140 of an inch per cut from the blade. You should be able to get the chairs built with (7) 2x4x8 pieces.

If your cut blade is larger, you may need 8 boards but for most saws and blades you will be able to use 7.

STEP 1 - CUTTING INDIVIDUAL PIECES

It is far easier and more efficient to cut all of your straight cuts for your chair pieces at once. If you will be making multiple chairs, cut all pieces in advance. It will be quicker to assemble them using one as a guide instead of assembling both separately. Here are the cuts to make:

Cuts Needed For One Chair: 24 total pieces.

  • Front Legs (2) 2 x 4 x 20”
  • Bottom Angle Rails (2) 2 x 4 x 32”
  • Back Legs (2) 2 x 4 x 20 ¾
  • Top Side Chair Supports(2) 2 x 4 x 26 ½”
  • (2) 2 x 4 x 28”
  • (7) 2 x 4 x 23”
  • Back Seat Boards(5) 2 x4 x 36”
  • Back Seat Supports (2) 2 x 4 x 20”

STEP 2 - CUTTING THE ANGLE BOARDS

Next, you will need to cut angles on a total of 6 boards (3 sets of 2) from the boards you have just precut to size. All angles should be cut so that they trim off the edge of the end of each board exactly.

You can use a miter square, speed square, or a compound saw with mitered markings to get the angled cuts required. 

Here are the angled cuts you will need. They are shown on the following pages in detail for each cut.

Bottom Chair Supports (2) 2 x 4 x 32” degree angle on the other side

Back Legs (2) 2 x 4 x 20 ¾ - Cut a 35 degree angle on end, and a 20 Cut each end at 15 degrees. Cuts should be parallel

Top Side Chair Supports (2) 2 x 4 x 26 ½” Cut one end at 15 degrees, the other side is left straight.

BOTTOM CHAIR ANGLE CUTS
  • Bottom Chair Supports (2) 2 x 4 x 32” Cut a 35 degree angle on end, and a 20 degree angle on the other side the long ends of each angle should protrude out.
BACK LEGS - ANGLE CUTS
  • Back Legs (2) 2 x 4 x 20 ¾ Cut each end at 15 degrees. Cuts should be parallel
TOP SIDE CHAIR SUPPORTS ANGLE CUT
  • Top Side Chair Supports(2) 2 x 4 x 26 ½” Cut one end at 15 degrees

STEP 3 - ASSEMBLING RIGHT CHAIR RAIL

  • Pieces Needed : 1 Back Leg, 1 Front Leg, 1 Top Chair Support
  • On a flat surface, lay out the front leg, back leg, and the top chair support. The top chair support’s outside edges should line up perfectly with the outside edges and top edges of both the front and back leg. (see photo to see how they should be aligned)
  • The angled end of the top chair support should be placed on the angled back leg piece, the straight edge should be on the front square piece. Once they are lined up, put two screws on each side to secure.

STEP 4- ASSEMBLING LEFT CHAIR RAIL

  • Pieces Needed : 1 Back Leg, 1 Front Leg, 1 Top Chair Support
  • For the left rail, you will assemble in the opposite manner. This is so that the outer rail will be on the outside edge of the chair.
  • On a flat surface, lay the top chair support on the ground first, (opposite of step 3), and then once again match up the front and back pieces. Just as in step 3, the outside edges and top edges of both the front and back leg should now line up perfectly with the angled top chair piece.
  • The angled end of the top chair support should be placed on the angled back leg piece, the straight edge should be on the front square piece. Once they are lined up, put two screws on each side to secure.

STEP 5 - CONNECTING THE CHAIR RAILS

  • Pieces Needed - Front Rail Piece (1) 2 x 4 x 23”
  • On each side of the front of your legs, measure up 13.5” inches from the bottom and make a mark in pencil.
  • Once you have your marks, take a 2 x 4 x 23” piece and screw in vertically with two screws on each side from the outside in to connect the left and right chair rails.
  • Put the top of the rail at the 13.5 inch mark, the bottom of the rail should be at 10” off the ground (3.5 inches) See next page for an extra picture for detail.

STEP 6 - CONNECTING THE CHAIR RAIL

  • Close Up - Once complete, assemble the other side with the second angled leg piece in the same fashion with two screws one above the other. The flat 23” long piece should be in line with the front legs.

STEP 7 - ATTACH BOTTOM ANGLE RAILS

  • Pieces Needed Bottom Angle Rails (2) 2 x 4 x 32”
  • Now it is time to attach the two angled bottom rails. These rails give the chair serious stability. With the chair frame on a flat level surface, place the angled board against the flat portion of the front rail and put two screws in from the front to attach. (Where Red Arrow Is)
  • The back angle board should lay on the ground with the corner resting on the ground. Then screw in the back corner with two more screws (see photo on next page)

STEP 8 - ATTACH BOTTOM ANGLE RAILS

  • Now its time to attach the back of the angle rail. When screwing on the back corner leg, be sure the edge of the angle is flush with the bottom of the back leg. Drive two screws in to secure.
  • Once complete, assemble the other side with the second angled leg piece in the same fashion with two screws on the front and back.

STEP 9 - ATTACH TOP FRONT SEAT RAIL

  • Seat Piece(1) 2 x 4 x 23” Piece Needed 
  • Attach the front of the top seat rail to the front chair rail with 4 screws along the front edge where arrows are below.

STEP 10 - ATTACH REMAINING SEAT RAILS

  • Front Rail Piece (4) 2 x 4 x 23” Pieces Needed
  • Leaving a ½ gap between the first top rail, attach the second top chair piece with two screws on each side. Continue working down until all 5 of the seat top rails are screwed in.

STEP 11 - CHAIR BASE COMPLETE

  • This is what your completed chair base should now look like. You are ready to build your back piece and assemble the chair!

STEP 12 - CHAIR BACK ASSEMBLY

  • Next, you will assemble the back of the chair. It is easiest to assemble this all at once and then attach to the chair base. 
  • This way you can choose whatever angle you would like to have the chair placed at.
  • You will need the following pieces : Back Seat Boards (5) 2 x4 x 36” Back Seat Supports (2) 2 x 4 x 20”
  • Start by placing the two back support pieces on the ground. Then place one of your 36” long back boards directly in the center. The bottom of the 36” board should be flush with the bottom back support piece, and the top should be 3” above the top back support.
  • Place two screws in the top and bottom to secure. (where red arrows are)
  • Next, place down the two boards to the right and left of the center piece. Fan the pieces out
    at the top so that there is ¾” gap at the top. The two pieces on the outer edge of the left and
    right will slightly hang over the top backer board by an inch or so.
  • Attach with two screws at the top and bottom of each piece .
  • You can adjust these later if needed to fan out more or less once chair is in place to whatever
    your desire look is.

STEP 13 - ATTACH CHAIR TO BACK

  • Now comes the moment you attach the base with the back of the chair. You can adjust the angle of your chair by how you install the bottom chair support board..
  • It is easiest to do this while the chair is on its side, and having an extra set of hands is very
    helpful!
  • Find the angle you desire, then place two screws into the bottom back chair support. (Where red arrows are)

Flip the chair over to the over side and repeat the process.

STEP 14 - ATTACH BACK MIDDLE SUPPORT BAR

  • Take your remaining 2 x 4 x 23” piece, and slide it in at the back where your back legs come in contact with the back of the chair.
  • Install two more screws on each side, and then from the back, screw in 2 screws on each of the 36” long back pieces to the 23” support bar behind!

STEP 15 - ATTACHING HAND RAILS AND ROUNDING CHAIR TOP OFF

Next, take the two 28” long pieces and attach them as the arm rests on either side of the chair. You can attach them to your liking.

Once installed, you can also round off the front of each of them with the jig saw like we did with our chair.

You can also do this on the top of the back of the chair. Simply draw a line to the angle you want and cut away with the jig saw. 

Your Chair Is Complete!

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