How to Build a Big Chair for Outdoors

Use a jig saw to cut two 20 1/2-inch lengths from a 1-by-4-inch piece of cedar to serve as the front legs of your outdoor chair. Cut two 29-inch lengths of 1-by-2-inch cedar to use for the back legs.

Cut two 16-inch lengths from a 1-by-5-inch cedar board. These boards will be installed at an angle between the front and back legs to serve as the chair's feet, providing support for the seat slats. Curve one end of each board using the jig saw so when the board is laid on its narrow side the top curves downward to the bottom edge.

Lay one of the cedar feet flat on the ground and place one of the back legs on top of it, aligning the bottom and outside edges. Adjust the cedar foot so it sits at a slightly upward angle. Keep in mind the steeper the angle, the more sloped the seat of your chair will be.

Insert two 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the leg into the foot beneath. Repeat the process to prepare the second back leg and cedar foot. The second leg and cedar foot should be a mirror image of the first so that when the cedar feet are standing upright opposite each other, the back legs will be on the outside.

Stand the back legs upright and place the front chair legs upright along the upper end of the cedar feet. Position the front chair legs flat against the outside of the cedar feet so that two or three inches of the foot extends beyond the outside edge of the chair legs. Attach the chair legs to the sides of the cedar feet using 1 1/2-inch wood screws.

Use the jig saw to cut one 23-inch length of 1-by-4-inch cedar and one 23-inch length of 1-by-3-inch cedar. These boards will serve as the upper and lower back rails to connect the two side frames you just constructed.

Stand the two side frames upright so the bottom of the four legs rest flat on the ground. Lay the 1-by-4-inch piece of cedar you just cut flat across the tops of the back legs, aligning the outside edges to form the upper back rail. Secure the back rail in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the rail into the chair legs.

Lay the lower back rail flat across the space between the two cedar feet about three inches in front of the back leg. Secure the lower rail in place using 1 1/2-inch wood screws. You will use the upper and lower rails as guides when installing your seat back slats.

Cut nine 23-inch lengths of 3/4-by-2-inch cedar to serve as the seat slats for your outdoor chair. Cut seven 35-inch lengths of 3/4-by-3-inch cedar to use for the back slats.

Install the first seat slat by laying it flat across the space between the two cedar feet about 1/2-inch in front of the lower back rail. Secure the slat in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the slat into the cedar foot on either side.

Attach the rest of the slats in a similar manner, leaving about 1/2-inch of space between. As you near the end of the cedar feet, continue to install the slats along the curved edges. The bottom edge of the last seat slat should align with the bottom edge of the cedar foot -- you may need to trim the slat in order for this to happen.

Install the back seat slats vertically between the upper and lower back rails using 1 1/2-inch wood screws. Measure to find the middle of the rails and install the first back slat in the center so the bottom of the slat sits flush with the top of the seat slats you just installed.

Attach the rest of the back slats on either side of the first, securing them in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the slats into the upper and lower back rails. The sides of the back slats should be flush with one another.

Cut two 28-inch lengths of 1-by-5-inch cedar to serve as the arm rests for your outdoor chair. Lay the arm rests flat on top of the front chair legs so they hang over the front of the leg by an inch or so. Hold the arms up and use a level to ensure the arms are completely level.

Secure the arms in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the top of the arms into the chair legs on one end and by toe-nailing -- driving at an angle -- a screw down through the arm into the back chair legs at the other end.

Paint or stain your outdoor chair using exterior-grade latex paint or wood stain. You may first choose to fill in the screw holes with wood filler, then sand it smooth after it has dried to create a smooth surface for the paint or stain. Once finished, cover your painted or stained chair with at least one coat of clear varnish or polyurethane to protect it from water damage.