DIY: Outdoor Tables

Whether for picnics, a potting station or a play area, having an outdoor table in your yard provides a functional piece of outdoor furniture. While there are numerous kinds of expensive outdoor tables available in home and garden stores, you can make your own outdoor table with basic lumber supplies and an afternoon. Once your table is complete you can leave it as is for a natural weathered look over time, or stain and seal the wood to protect it from the elements.

4 boards, 2 by 6 inches, 3 feet long
4 posts, 3 by 3 inches, 3 feet long
4 boards, 2 by 10 inches, 5 feet long
Galvanized screws, 3 to 4 inches long
Electric drill
Sandpaper
Stain and sealant, if desired

Instructions

- 1
  Arrange the four 2-by-6-inch boards on their 2-inch thickness so they form a 3-foot square. Screw two evenly spaced screws through the boards to secure each corner.
- 2
  Place a post standing upright along an inside corner of the square. Screw two screws through the boards that come into contact with the post to secure the post in the corner. Place each of the three remaining posts inside the remaining corners and secure.
- 3
  Flip the unit over so it is resting on the legs. Lay the 2-by-10 boards side by side over the frame. Arrange the boards as needed so they overhang the square framework by a foot on each end of the table.
- 4
  Screw two evenly spaced screws through each top board down into the framework across the width of the table where they touch the frame at each end of the table. Sand over the entire table with sandpaper to smooth the surface.
- 5
  Apply a wood stain in the tint of your choice, if desired, following the manufacturer’s directions. Allow the stain to dry for one to two hours. Apply a sealant according to the instructions on the can. Let the table dry for one to two hours.

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