{"id":1418,"date":"2026-05-14T09:34:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T09:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/?p=1418"},"modified":"2026-05-15T15:52:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:52:54","slug":"outdoor-lounge-chair-from-5-boards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/outdoor-lounge-chair-from-5-boards\/","title":{"rendered":"$15 Outdoor Lounge Chair"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This simple outdoor lounge chair is built from five 2x3s and a box of exterior screws for around $15. The low-profile design is beginner-friendly, sturdy, and easy to customize with cushions or outdoor stain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 5 standard 2\u00d73 boards<br>\u2013 3\u2033 exterior wood screws<br>\u2013 Exterior wood <a href=\"\/blog\/woodglue\">glue<\/a><br>\u2013 Outdoor cushions (optional)<br>\u2013 Exterior stain or sealer (optional)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Miter saw or <a href=\"\/blog\/circularsaw\">circular saw<\/a><br>\u2013 <a href=\"\/blog\/drill\">Drill<\/a>\/driver<br>\u2013 Drill bits for predrilling<br>\u2013 Tape measure<br>\u2013 Speed square<br>\u2013 Clamps (optional)<br>\u2013 Sander or <a href=\"\/blog\/sandingpads\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1427\">sanding<\/a> block<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cut List<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Chair Leg Frames<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>22\u2033 vertical supports x4<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>20\u2033 horizontal supports x4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Seat Frame<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>20\u2033 seat slats\/supports x7<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Backrest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>18\u2033 top and bottom rails x2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>19\u2033 side stiles x2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>13 1\/2\u2033 middle rails x3<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cut all chair parts to length before assembly. Label the pieces to keep the two chair sides identical.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build the two chair leg frames first using the 22\u2033 vertical supports and 20\u2033 horizontal supports. Assemble each side frame with 3\u2033 exterior screws and predrill every connection to help prevent splitting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build the seat frame using seven 20\u2033 boards. Space the center rails evenly so the seat stays supportive and comfortable. The middle rails were placed flat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Test fit the seat frame between the chair side assemblies. Trim the width slightly if needed so the seat slides into place without forcing it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attach the seat frame between the chair sides using exterior screws through the outer frames into the seat supports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assemble the backrest using the two 18\u2033 rails, two 19\u2033 stiles, and three 13 1\/2\u2033 middle rails. Keep the spacing even for a clean look.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Slide the backrest into place at a slight recline angle. Clamp it temporarily and test the seating position before fastening permanently. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Screw the backrest securely into the chair side frames using exterior screws. Switch to lag bolts for a durable joint.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sand sharp corners and rough edges before applying an exterior finish if desired.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add outdoor cushions for extra comfort and to soften the low lounge-style seating position.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Predrilling is important when working with 2\u00d73 lumber since the narrower stock can split near the ends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pressure-treated lumber works well outdoors but should dry before staining.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The low seat height gives this chair more of a relaxed lounge feel than a standard patio chair.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If your seat frame fits too tightly between the legs, trim small amounts evenly from both sides instead of forcing the fit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exterior wood glue adds strength but is optional for this build.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can customize the sizing to your liking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Difficulty: Easy<br>Estimated Time: 2-3 hours<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Easy \u2022 2-3 hrs \u2022 5 boards<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1419,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-build-plans"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_2637-Copy.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1418"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1432,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1418\/revisions\/1432"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}