How to Build Outdoor Wood Chairs

Cut out the four legs from the ¾ x 3 ½ inch cedar pieces. The legs should be 24 ¼ inches long as they will also serve as arm rest supports.

Cut the two armrests from the ¾ x 3 ½ inch cedar pieces. Each armrest should measure 20 inches long.

Cut the armrest supports from the ¾ x 2 5/8 inch cedar pieces. Four arm rest supports will be needed, each measuring 10 inches long. If desired, the arm rests can be made a bit more decorative by cutting a curve or pattern into the lower part of the armrest support. To do this, trace the desired pattern onto a sturdy piece of cardboard and cut the pattern out. Place the pattern on one of one of the armrest supports and trace the pattern onto the support. Use a jigsaw to cut the pattern.

Measure and mark the center point on the top of each leg piece. Position the center of the armrest support over the center mark on the leg. Make sure the top of the armrest support is flush with the top of the leg.

Secure the armrest support into place using wood glue and clamps. Complete this step for each of the legs.

Secure the armrest supports to the legs with 1 ¼-inch screws. Complete this step for each of the legs.

Position the armrest pieces onto the front leg. Allow the armrest to extend past the front leg of the chair by an inch. The inside of the armrest should be flush with the inside of the leg. Use glue and clamps to hold the armrest in place. Repeat this step with the armrest and front leg support for the other side of the chair.

Position the rear leg of the chair flush with the inside and back edge of the armrest. Use glue and clamps to hold the armrest in place. Repeat this step for the rear leg on the other side of the chair.

Use the drill to complete securing the armrests to the legs and armrest supports by drilling screws diagonally through the side of the legs and into the underside of the arm rests.

Cut the side pieces of the seat box from 3/4 x 3 ½ inch cedar pieces to a length of 19 inches. Cut the front and back pieces of the seat box from the 3/4 x 3 ½ inch cedar pieces to a length of 17 ½ inches.

Use L-brackets on the inside of the seat frame to attach the front and side seat pieces together. Two L-brackets per corner should be used.

Lay the leg assemblies flat on the ground. Measure and mark 9 inches down on the leg from the top of the arm rest. Repeat this on each of the legs.

Position the seat box so the top edge of the seat box is level with the 9-inch mark on the legs. Use glue and clamps to hold the seat box into place. Repeat this step for the other set of legs.

Finish securing the seat box to the legs' screws drilled through the inside of the seat box and into each of the legs. Two screws per leg should be sufficient.

Cut the two slat support from ¾-inch cedar to a length of 17 ½ inches and secure to the front and back of the seat box. Make sure the top of the slat support piece is flush with the top of the seat box. Secure the supports with 1-inch screws and glue.

Cut five seat slats from ¾ x 3 ½ inch cedar to the length of 19 inches. Glue and clamp the seat slats that will be on the outside edges of the seat first. Repeat this process with the remaining three slats. Maintain uniform spacing between the slats.

Turn the chair over and finish securing each of seat slats with 1 ¼-inch screws drilled through the slat support piece and into the bottom of each slat. Repeat this for both the front and back support slats.

Cut two pieces from the ¾ x 2 inch cedar to 17 ½ inches for the back braces of the chair. Attach the back braces to the inside of the rear set of legs. Position the bottom brace against the seat slats at a 12 degree angle. The front of the back rest should be ¾ inches from the front edge of the rear legs. Secure the back brace with screws at an angle through the side of the back braces and into the legs.

Position the top back brace 3 inches above the bottom one with the top edge of the brace being flush with the outside edge of the rear legs, taking care to maintain the 12 degree angle for the back slats. Secure the back brace with screws at an angle through the side of the back braces and into the legs.

Cut five back slats from ¾ x 3 ½ inch cedar to a length of 15 inches. Glue and clamp the back slats into place. Position the back slats so that they line up with the seat slats. Finish securing the back slats into place with 1 ¼-inch screws through the back of the back braces and into the back slats.