Outdoor sectionals are excellent additions to contemporary outdoor spaces. They make an inviting spot for entertaining and a relaxing space to appreciate the outdoors even while at home.
Luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune on costly outdoor sectionals. In this guide, we’ll show you how to build an amazing DIY outdoor sectional using a few simple tools and supplies. It’s time to pull up your sleeves and get ready for an easy and satisfying weekend home project.
Why Build An Outdoor Sectional
An outdoor sectional makes a versatile addition to any outdoor area. You can set it up on your patio, backyard, or even on your porch, so long as you have enough space. Since your DIY outdoor sectional is made of wood, it’s pretty easy to fit it in any kind of outdoor setup.
If you have a bigger space, building a sectional allows you to create boundaries. For example, if you want to divide your garden into two different sections, say, a lounging area and a BBQ or dining area, you can place your sectional in between.
DIY Outdoor Sectional With Wood Pallets
Pallets make some of the cheapest and most aesthetically pleasing materials for building outdoor sectionals. They are used a lot in DIY woodworking projects, such as in building patio furniture, bike storage, porch swings, potting benches, and so much more.
Pallets can be made of different types of wood. Whenever possible, opt for pallets made of hardwood like oak or maple. They are perfect for building furniture because of their durability and their beautiful grain patterns.
Here are the steps to make an outdoor sectional using pallets:
Step 1: Prepare the short and long sides of the sectional.
You can use 2 X 6 lumber here. You will need two long pieces (77 inches) and eight short pieces (21.75 inches). You also need two pieces of lumber measuring 39 inches for the frame. Cut the lumber using a circular saw.
Step 2: Drill holes.
For this project, we recommend using a pocket hole jig that is fully adjustable. This way, you can easily drill holes regardless of the thickness of lumber or wood you buy. For the 2 X 6 lumber, you will need to drill about 1.5 inches deep.
Step 3: Assemble each frame.
Lay each piece of wood on your working table. Position the two long lumber parallel to each other, and place the shorter wood on each side to form a rectangular frame. Then, use wood glue to join the edges of the lumber. Make sure to put an ample amount of glue and use two pocket hole screws on each side.
Step 4: Add the support inserts.
You and your whole family will be sitting on this beautiful piece of outdoor furniture. Therefore, make sure it’s firm and stable. You will need the short pieces of wood (21.75 inches) for the central support.
Using a measuring tape, ensure that the inserts are equally spaced. Begin with the center support, and then add one more on each side. Attach the wood inserts using wood glue and drill them into the mainframe.
You may need to use a clamp to help keep everything intact while you glue and drill each piece of wood. Since you need two frames, you will have to do Steps 3 and 4 again.
Step 5: Fill the frames.
Cut four pieces of 1 X 6 wood pallets to the exact length of your frame, which should be 77 inches. When you assemble the wood pieces, ensure a nice space between them so that water will drain properly when it rains. Then, drill holes for the screws.
Step 6: Build the legs.
For this project, you will need two sets of leg frames. Cut four 26.5-inch pieces of 2 X 6 for the uprights. There will be a piece on top, so the total height of the assembly should be 28 inches.
Assemble the legs with everything upside down. Attach each upright leg to the top piece using glue. Clamp it in place so that it doesn’t move or wiggle while you drill two outdoor screws in. You want to make sure the front face is flush.
Drill each screw halfway through to hold everything in place before you get them tightly screwed in. This technique is very helpful, especially if you don’t have a clamp.
Next, attach another wood piece in between the uprights, at about 20 inches from the bottom. It will serve as the support and also the anchor for attaching the bench. Glue and drill everything together.
Step 7: Assemble the sectional.
Glue the shorter side of the sectional to the leg frame and then secure them by finishing off with screws. After that, attach the longer side of the sectional. The entire thing is heavy, so you may need someone’s help to align things before you can put everything in one piece.
Step 8: Sand the wood.
Start with 100-grit and then move on to 220-grit sandpaper until you get a smooth finish. If there are holes, fill them with wood filler using a spackling knife. Sand the patches to smoothen them out.
Step 9: Stain the wood.
After sanding, wipe and dry them down. At this point, you’re ready to stain the wood. Use a good-quality wood stain and apply it using an old rag. Once it dries, follow with some oil-based polyurethane to seal the stain.
Yes, you want an oil-based seal since you’re placing the sectional outside where it’s exposed to various elements. You can also choose to paint your outdoor sectional using acrylic paint. How you want your sectional to look is entirely up to your preference.
Step 10: Install cushions.
Adding a cushion to the seating base ensures support and comfort, making your outdoor living space even more enjoyable. To get the correct size, get the widest measurement from arm to arm or the left-to-right distance across the seating surface.
When choosing cushions, opt for a material that’s highly suitable for outdoor use, such as Sunbrella, vinyl, or textile. If you are setting up the sectional in a shaded area of your patio, you can opt for a cotton canvass or something similar.
Aside from the seating cushion, consider adding outdoor throw pillows of similar styles for an even more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable lounging area.
Let Your Outdoor Sectional Fit In
An outdoor sectional is an easy and fun project to make over the weekend. The key is to get accurate measurements. Once everything is cut to size, assembling the furniture is relatively easy.
Don’t forget to sand, stain, and seal your outdoor sectional for lasting beauty and durability. Lastly, don’t skimp on upholstery and cushions. With these, you’ll achieve a cozy seating area that will make you want to stay in your backyard more.