DIY Deck Chairs

Decide on the Style

• While you can easily make canvas cloth sling chairs, the lifespan of the fabric is short. Choosing to make your lounge chairs from wood means you can enjoy them for many years. A coat of paint or fresh stain from time to time can rejuvenate them and make the deck chairs look like new again.

  Choose from a variety of woods for your deck seating. Pine is inexpensive but doesn't last as long as treated wood or cedar.

  Consult a book of chair plans that you can easily find in any home improvement store. You may wish to purchase plans or you can simply look through the book for ideas to help you create your own unique lounge chairs.

Draw Up your Plans

• No matter what type of deck seating you choose to make, it helps if you have patterns and guides. The June, 2006 issue of "Popular Mechanics" recommends that you use patterns for your deck chairs because the guides make it easier to assemble more than one chair at a time.

Gather your Materials and your Tools

• Select the wood you want to use for your lounge chairs. You also need nails, screws, wood glue, sand paper and paint or stain.

  Set out the tools you need to complete the project. In addition to basic carpentry tools, you should have a table saw, a jig saw, a power sander and an electric drill with bits. Safety equipment should include safety goggles and a dust mask.

Assemble your Deck Chairs

• Cut all the pieces according to your pattern. Label them so you can easily attach them in their proper order.

  Regardless of the style of deck chairs you choose, most styles go together in a similar fashion. Assemble the legs first. Next add on the arms, the front facings and the support structure for the seats. The next pieces to add are the back supports. Finish adding the rest of the seat and the back pieces to complete your chair.

  Sand the chair. Depending on the finish you chose, paint it with a coat of primer and the paint you chose. Or stain it and finish with a waterproof sealer.