Hello! I’ve recovered from my One Room Challenge, and have started onto a new back yard project! I’m so happy to have a little time to spend digging in the dirt and getting the backyard ready for spring! The top priority on my to-do list was to get our backyard patio whipped into shape for the summer season!
I had two major assignments, the first was to get the patio really clean. This is our second season with this new patio, and it was looking pretty dingy after sitting under a stack of snow for the last six months. The second, was to build an outdoor coffee table.
Surprisingly, the cleaning part of the job was way fun thanks to my new power washer! That’s right ma’ friends, I got a power washer for Mo’s day, and I was surprised to discover that I had spent the 36 previous years of my life missing out on all the fun. These things rule! Not only is it extremely satisfying, but it does a really good job getting shit clean. I used it on the patio, outdoor sectional, outdoor rug, table and chairs, grill and our copper fire pit. I’m gonna bring it up to the cabin this weekend and go to town on the deck. It’s truly the best.
As soon as the patio was cleaned up, the next step was to build a coffee table for the space. If you’ve been following along you may have remembered that I built a coffee table for the space last year, and then immediately turned around and stole it for the cabin living room because I’m a jerk like that. I like building stuff for outdoor spaces because it doesn’t need to be perfect, it’s meant to be outdoors. I saw this as great opportunity to see what I could build with standard 2×4 studs and a few 1x4s. After sketching out a plan, I came up with an idea for a slatted table. Not only does it look cool, it was highly easy to build. All the cuts were straightforward straight cuts, there are no weird measurements with little tiny fractions, and all it only requires a drill, and a box of screws to assemble. ALSO, it was only $44 bucks for the lumber and screws!
click for larger image
|
7 8′ long 2x4s 2 2 8′ long 1x4s 1 1 1 1 1 |
click for larger image
I included sketchup images of the bench diagram, I hope they help to illustrate how easy and simple it is to put together this bench. Start by chopping your wood to size using the miter saw.
click for larger image
You’ll only need three lengths of lumber for this project. Cut 16 – 12.5″ 2x4s, 8 – 4′ 2x4s and 14, 16″ 1x4s. Prior to assembly, stain all the pieces. Because this bench is slatted, there are little nooks and crannies that will hard to be stain at the end.
The assembly is pretty straight forward. I built the table flat on the ground. I laid out 2 of the 12.5″ 2x4s, and then set the 4′ 2×4 across to span the distance. Once your 2×4 legs and top are in position, take the 16″ 1×4 and set it on top of the 2, 2×4 leg pieces. Once the 1×4 is square with the other pieces, take two screws for each leg and drill one in the top and in the bottom of the leg. For the next layer stack 2 12.5″ 2x4s on legs and span the distance with a 4′ 2×4. Attach to the 1×4 boards underneath with 2 screws on the top and bottom to each leg. Continue until your table is complete
![An Easy To Build Outdoor Coffee Table](/images/2018/05.22/10.jpg")
There is still lots of gardening to do, but the patio is all prepped (and good as new) for another season of deep yard hanging. Let me know if you guys have any questions. This is an easy, easy project so if you’re new to the world of saws and building, challenge yourself and try it out!
I might put some paste wax on the surface of the table to give it a little shine. Once you’ve applied the wax you can buff with your power drill and a buffing head.
Love it! I have a couple questions about your sectional. Can you tell me how you cleaned it? We have a similar one and I’m scared to clean the cushions, but they desperately need it. Also…how/where do you store your sectional in the winter?
Hey Kris! This was my big question when living with outdoor furniture too. Our sofa comes with sunbrella cushions – however they did get mildew-y after leaving them outside all last summer. Going into the fall I got a set of outdoor furniture covers to cover the furniture for the winter. I rolled up the rug, and set all the cushions on the section under the cover. I left them outside all winter long. There didn’t seem to be any damage or wear from leaving them outside during the winter, as long as the cover was on. Last week on a sunny day, I power washed all the cushions – which instantly removed the mildew and then I let them dry in the sunshine. It seemed to work perfectly. Point of comment – get a power washer and a cover!
Thanks so much for the info! I’m a fellow Minnesotan and was wondering how the sofa might hold up outside in the winter. So glad to hear it worked for you to just cover them up! Also, I loooove your style and your blog. One of my favorites and I get so excited every time you have a new post. Thanks for all the great content!
Of course! Yay! Always makes my day to know that the hard work is appreciated :)
Love this table so much! Do you plan to leave it outside next winter? And did you poly the wood after staining? We are in for some rain in the next couple of days…
I did not poly yet, but I will/should do that very soon. I’ll probably do 2-3 coats :)
Power washers are really the most fun to use. Now if I could only get a cherry picker I could wash the whole house from the top down.
I’m interested to hear how the decking over the concrete is holding up? We have a concrete back yard and I am hoping something like this can be a solution to our problem! One thing I’m concerned about is leaves, helicopters, ect will get down in there and start to decompose/smell…
Yes! Yes! Yes! I’ve been trying to think of a simple way to diy a full-width-of-our-small-office sofa table/radiator cover. Putting a sofa bed up against the radiator is the only way I can think of to make the space function as office and guest room, but I was stuck on how to use the space around the radiator/behind the couch and still allow the radiator enough circulation to heat the room. I think we have a winner!