Outdoor Seating Solutions

Looking for outdoor seating solutions? Regardless of your DIY skills, personal style preference and size of your deck, we have a project for you. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a simple stylish chair for your backyard, or an advanced builder looking to flex your furniture-making muscles, every one of these showstoppers will be a joy to build. 

And they really will enhance your outdoor living space. The difference between plastic furniture (even if it’s that costly plastic wicker weave) and real wood is night and day. Only natural building materials can immediately connect you to the natural world. Each project comes with how-to videos and free, easy-to-follow downloadable building plans. 

If you don’t see one here that catches your eye, browse our full DIY Library of projects for other seating solutions – maybe classic Adirondack chair or a porch swing is more to your liking? Either way, we’ve got what you need to create the outdoor oasis of your dreams. 

Modern Lounge Chair 

We give you the chair of the summer! This stylish contemporary design will enhance any outdoor living space. Low to the ground with extra sturdy legs, it works great on almost any kind of surface – be it a bumpy backyard or a smooth deck. So perfect for sitting around a fire pit or just decompressing as you watch the sun go down. Bonus: this design includes a removable backrest so they’re easy to store and transport from home to the cabin and back again!  

The design also calls for beautiful Real Cedar. So, whether you bring it indoors or outdoors, this chair is going to make a statement. Chair of the summer. Cedar’s beautiful grain pattern is perfect for this type of craftsmanship. Happy building! 

Mid-Century Outdoor Sofa

It’s hard to believe, but this beauty is an incredibly easy to build! This elegant DIY Outdoor Sofa is surprisingly simple to make and only requires three basic power tools: a circular saw, a cordless drill, and an orbital sander to cut and assemble 2×6 Real Cedar. It was designed with basic outdoor seat cushions from big box stores in mind, so no sewing or customization is required.

The timeless beauty of Real Cedar is perfect for any style of outdoor furniture, from bold and traditional to elegant and modern. That’s because the rich tonal range of the natural wood complements any color of decor. But if you want to create your own look, it’s good to know Real Cedar is pitch and resin free. Which means it accepts and holds a wide range of finishes. So it’s easy to achieve almost any desired look. 

Modern Outdoor Sectional 

Love entertaining friends and family throughout the summer season but feel like you don’t have enough outdoor space? This built-in outdoor sectional is the perfect seating solution for smaller decks. It’s also great for defining social areas in larger outdoor settings. 

With removable seating panels, it doubles as outdoor storage. It’s easy to move and easy to build. That’s because the design calls for Real Cedar, a durable, yet surprisingly lightweight building material. Furthermore, Real Cedar is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects. So you can enjoy your customized sectional for years to come with minimal maintenance.

Privacy Nook Bench 

Create your own backyard getaway with this beautiful Privacy Garden Nook. This modern design is perfect for urban decks, where space is limited. But it’s also perfect for defining space in larger outdoor living areas. And not only is this a great looking project, it’s actually a green project. In fact, using sustainably harvested woods, such as Real Cedar, are actually good for the environment because they remove and store carbon from the atmosphere – as opposed to emitting carbon like man-made materials. So it’s a choice you can feel good about.

Western Red Cedar is also an incredibly durable, long-lasting wood, so this stunning structure will be your favorite summer hangout for decades to come. 

Planter Storage Bench 

Want to define a designated area or enhance your outdoor living space with a statement piece? This planter bench works on both fronts. At once, functional and stylish, it offers a contemporary seating solution with a removable lid for storage. You can also grow a herb garden on either side or fill the planters with big beautiful flowers for a punch of color. 

A timeless design with classic, clean lines, this garden staple will complement any style of deck or backyard. It’s also the perfect day project for DIYers. In terms of what type of Real Cedar to specify, it’s up to you! For a crisp clean look, opt for a clear grade of cedar, for added warmth and texture, specify a beautiful knotty grade of cedar.

Modern Adirondack Chair  

This easy but attractive design is a modern take on the classic Adirondack chair. Comfortable, stylish, and featuring wide but sturdy arm rests that also conveniently handle plates and beverages, the modern Adirondack chair is a great addition to any deck, dock or outdoor living space.

This design is also a pleasure to build because it calls for beautiful, Real Cedar, which is easy to work with. It lays straight, takes fasteners easily and the tools love it. Bonus: feel free to make these chairs your own by painting them a fun color. Another option, of course, is just letting them weather naturally, eventually turning a beautiful silvery gray patina.