How to build an outdoor table

This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to build an small outdoor table. If you want to learn more about building an outdoor table made out of wooden components, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article. There are many designs and plans to choose from, so make sure you take a look over the related table plans that are featured on our website.

Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the outdoor table to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.

If you don’t have a rich expertise in woodworking field, you should ask a friend to give you a hand with the project. There are many things that you could go wrong, so make sure you plan everything and invest in quality materials. Select the lumber with attention, making sure the components are perfectly straight and in a very good condition. Use a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Building an outdoor table

Materials

A – 4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 15 1/4″ long LEGS
B – 4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 17 3/4″ long FRAME
C – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 31″ long APRONS
D – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 3 1/2″ long SUPPORTS
E – 8 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 41 3/4″ long, 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 19 1/4″ long TABLETOP

3 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
4 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 4 ft
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
Fill the holes with wood filler and smooth the surface

Time

One Day

Outdoor table plans

Building a patio table

Building the frame of the table

The first step of the project is to build the frame of the table. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to cut the components out of 1×4 lumber. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the long components and secure them to the sides aprons.

Attaching the legs

Continue the outdoor project by attaching the legs to the frame. Align the legs with great care and secure them to the frame with galvanized screws. Drill pilot holes through the frame and insert 1 1/4″ screws from the interior into the legs. Plumb the legs with a spirit level and make sure the frame is horizontal.

Fitting the bottom braces

In order to enhance the rigidity of the outdoor table we recommend you to fit 1×4 braces to the bottom of the legs. Drill pilot holes at both ends of the table and secure them to the legs, after aligning them with great care.

Fitting the corner supports

Cut four supports out of 1×4 lumber and set them to the corners of the table. Drill pilot holes through the supports and secure them to the frame of the table. Add waterproof glue to the joints, in order to enhance the bond of the components.

Building the tabletop

Lay the 1×3 slats on a level surface and leave between the 1/4″. Afterwards, lock them together by attaching two pieces of 1×2 lumber. Drill pilot holes through the supports and secure them to the slats with galvanized screws.

Attaching the tabletop

Center the frame of the table to the tabletop and insert screws through the supports into the frame. Work with attention, otherwise the table won’t have a symmetrical appearance.

How to build an outdoor table

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Afterwards, smooth the wooden surface with fine-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues.

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