Easy $15 DIY Outdoor Coffee Table – Free Plans
Learn how to build a DIY outdoor coffee table using only $15 in lumber with these easy-to-follow woodworking plans! This is the perfect beginner project to add to your patio this summer!
After setting up the back patio with the curbside rescued patio set, it was time to think about a coffee table.
After a lot of thought, I came up with a simple and easy design which also cost only $15 in lumber!
RELATED: DIY Coffee Table with Fire Pit
DIY Outdoor Coffee Table Idea
As usual, Ana White’s site was my first stop to look for inspiration for the outdoor coffee table.
This flag inspired coffee table caught my eye. Armed with the inspiration, I designed a basic DIY patio coffee table that would also work with the design of my patio set.
DIY Outdoor Coffee Table Plans
Overall Dimension of the outdoor coffee table is 35″ x 22″ and 18″ high.
Grab the printable plans for this DIY outdoor table below!
RELATED: DIY Indoor/Outdoor Bench using 2x4s
***This post contains affiliate or referral links. It is a way for this site to earn advertising fees by advertising or linking to certain products and/or services. Please read my full disclosure here ***
Materials for DIY Outdoor Coffee Table
- Lumber per the plans.
- Kreg jig
- 2 1/2″ blue kreg screws – These are weather resistant.
- Miter saw or miter box
- 2″ wood screws
- Kreg right angle clamp
- Kreg face clamp
- Drill
- Wood glue
How to Build an Outdoor Coffee Table
Step 1 – Make the cuts
Start by reviewing the plans and make all the cuts and pocket holes as shown in the printable plans.
Step 2 – Build legs
Build the side leg frames using wood glue and 2 1/2″ exterior pocket hole screws. A right angle clamp is such a blessing to make these joints!
Step 3 – Add long aprons
Attach the long aprons to create the table frame and the bottom support for added stability.
Step 4 – Add top supports
Attach the table top support slats using wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws. This completes the assembly of the coffee table frame.
Step 5 – Finish the table.
Fill any visible pocket holes and stain or prime and paint the frame and tabletop slats.
If you choose to paint as I did, follow my tutorial to paint exterior wood like a pro. It is key to encapsulate the entire set with paint to prevent moisture from seeping in.
I used Outdoor primer and Glidden “whisper white” color matched to Behr Marquis Exterior Semi-gloss paint.
For the aqua, I used Clark+Kensington’s Seaside Manor which I had left over from this rocking chair makeover.
Step 7 – Add Tabletop
Assemble the table top slats onto the frame with 1/4″ space in between. I used a yardstick for this.
Sometimes I get so engrossed in the process that I forget to take pictures during the process. Here is a picture I took while I was trying out the spacing while painting the frame.
I predrilled holes from the backside and used 2″ wood screws and wood glue to attach all the slats to the short aprons and the supports. HERE
There you have it!
The simple DIY outdoor coffee table is ready!
RELATED: See how I decorated my new patio to make it comfy and colorful
I love how it works with the rest of my rescued patio set and am totally loving the little bit of aqua too!!
Did I tell you yet how much it cost me?
About $12 and some change in lumber!! Say what?!!
Be sure to get the downloadable plans!
More DIY Outdoor Project Ideas –
- Easy DIY Outdoor Dining Table
- DIY Raised Tiered Garden Beds
- Simple Lattice planter
- DIY Hammock Stand
DIY Outdoor Coffee Table
Learn how to build a DIY outdoor coffee table using only $15 in lumber with these easy to follow woodworking plans! This is the perfect beginner project to add to your patio this summer!
Materials
Instructions
- Start by reviewing the plans and make all the cuts and pocket holes as shown in the printable plans.
- Build the side leg frames using wood glue and 2 1/2" exterior pocket hole screws. A right angle clamp is such a blessing to make these joints!
- Attach the long aprons to create the table frame and the bottom support for added stability.
- Attach the table top support slats using wood glue and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws. This completes the assembly of the coffee table frame.
- Fill any visible pocket holes and stain or prime and paint the frame and tabletop slats.
- If you choose to paint as I did, follow my tutorial to paint exterior wood like a pro. It is key to encapsulate the entire set with paint to prevent moisture from seeping in. I used Outdoor primer and Glidden “whisper white” color matched to Behr Marquis Exterior Semi-gloss paint. For the aqua, I used Clark+Kensington’s Seaside Manor which I had left over from this rocking chair makeover.
- Assemble the table top slats onto the frame with 1/4" space in between. I used a yardstick for this. I predrilled holes from the backside and used 2" wood screws and wood glue to attach all the slats to the short aprons and the supports.
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This post contains affiliate or referral links. It is a way for this site to earn advertising fees by advertising or linking to certain products and/or services. Please read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
Love this project! You did an amazing job Anika! I’m sure there will be plenty of lovely times had around your new coffee table and also in your freshly made over porch! So lovely!! Thank you so very much for sharing at Waste Not Wednesday! 🙂
Thank you so much Sam! Yes, that coffee table and patio set is being put to great use now that outdoor weather is here 🙂
WOW! You would never know this didn’t actually come with the set! It is gorgeous!! Thank you for such an easy and detailed tutorial. Love the blue stripes too, ands a touch of whimsy. Great job!!
Thank you so much Heather!
I am happy to have inspired you! Thanks you!
Hey Anika i tried this out with my husband… though we messed up a bit lol but overall it was great
That is awesome Angela!! I would love to see it!! Please share a picture.
I’m super excited for summer, too! All of these projects are adorable! My daughter would LOVE to recreate that fairy garden, and I think I could talk Hubs into helping me make a few DIY patio tables… Thanks for rounding all of this up! Happy summer!