How to Build an Outdoor Sofa

Building the Frame

• 1

  Cut lengths of PVC pipe to correspond with the size you've planned for your couch. Cut two pieces the width of the sofa, four pieces the length of the sofa, two the height of the back, and four the height off the ground.

• 2

  Attach a T joint to each end of one of the long pieces, using PVC pipe glue; this is the front of the couch. On another long piece, attach a four-way joint. Set the other two long pieces aside. Attach a 90-degree curve to each end of the two pieces that will form the sides of the couch. Use small segments of pipe to join the other end of each 90-degree turn to the open end of long piece, forming a rectangle.

• 3

  Glue one of the pieces of pipe the height of the couch into the empty slots on the T joints and the bottom of the four-way joints to create legs.

• 4

  Attach two T joints to one of the remaining long pieces of pipe, attaching at the bottom of the T shape. Use a small segment of pipe to attach this to the back of the couch via the four-way joint. Use 90-degree turns to attach the remaining three lengths of pipe to form the back of the couch and glue into the open T joints.

Creating the Seat and Back of the Sofa

• 5

  Cut a length of nylon tow strap slightly longer than the depth of the couch seat. Wrap one end of the strap around the front section of PVC pipe and secure in place by sewing with a tapestry needle and heavy thread.

• 6

  Attach the other end of the tow strap to the back side of the couch, using the same method. Continue adding sections of tow strap all the way across the couch, spacing each strap about 1/2 inch apart.

• 7

  Work in the opposite direction and attach a long piece of tow strap to one side of the couch frame. Weave the strap over and under the straps running the other direction and attach the other end of the strap to the other side of the couch. Continue in this fashion, alternating the weave on each perpendicular strap. If the last strap went over, then under, start the next strap by weaving under, then over.

• 8

  Create a back for the couch in the same manner, working until the entire back and seat have a woven covering.