We have plans for the chair, and now the sofa.. I am excited to roll out this new outdoor collection with summer on the mind these days! Easy to build, and fabulous to look at, this collection promises to be a big hit with all of you DIY lovers out there!
As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are easy as pie and perfect for beginners). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase on the site or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram / FB and @thedesconf on Twitter / Pinterest. If you are a blogger and you post about your build, don’t forget to include a link to your post on your showcase here. Don’t forget… for all of our newer plans, clicking on the images will let them expand to enormous sizes with much greater clarity. The older plans may need updating so please let us know if you need one fixed!
$50-$75
- 5 – 2×4 at 8’
- 6 – 1×4 at 8’
- 1-1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 2″ Wood Screws
- 2-1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 1-1/4″ Brad Nails
- Pocket Hole Plugs – Paint Grade, Pine, Oak – optional
- Clamps
- Safety Gear
- Wood Filler
- Wood Glue
- Sanding Supplies
- Paste Wax
- Finishing Supplies
- 4 – 2×4 at 24-1/4” – Legs
- 2 – 2×4 at 28-1/2” – Side Frames
- 2 – 2×4 at 31-1/2” – Top
- 1 – 2×4 at 70” – Top
- 2 – 2×4 at 63” – Seat Support
- 1 – 2×4 at 63” (ripped to 2-3/4” wide) – Seat Support
- 1 – 2×4 at 6” – Center Leg
- 9 – 1×4 at 18-3/4” – Seat Slats
- 8 – 1×4 at 14-3/4” – Side Slats
- 9 – 1×4 at 16-3/4” – Back Slats
Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.
Cut the pieces for the sides. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the 28-1/2” piece as well as the top only of the legs. Assemble using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the top. Cut 45 deg. miters in each end of the long piece as well as one end of the short pieces. (There will be a left and right) Drill pocket holes in the mitered ends and assemble with glue and 2” pocket hole screws. Place on the side assemblies and attach using glue and 2” pocket hole screws through the top of the legs into the top piece.
Cut the pieces for the seat supports. The center support will be the 2×4 ripped to 2-3/4” wide and will be located ¾” down from the top of the side stretcher piece to allow for the seat slats. Attach the leg piece at the center using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws. Attach all pieces at the spacing indicated (with the front piece flush with the front of the side frame) to the side frames using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the seat slats. Set the Kreg jig for ¾” material and drill pocket holes in each end. Attach to the seat supports using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. Secure the center of the slats to the center of the support with 1-1/4” brad nails.
Cut the pieces for the side slats. Drill pocket holes in each end. Attach to the side frames at the spacing indicated with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the back slats. The angles may be a little tricky but they should be cut at approximately 25 deg. (see drawing). Once the angles are cut, drill pocket holes in the end of each slat. Attach to the back support and top with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.
Hello, thanks for the plans, I’m having a great time building. Question: I’m unsure how to execute the pocket holes on the mitered ends of the top piece. Do you have a photo or illustration?
Many thanks,
Robert
Hi,
What size cushions fit best for the Reef sofa and chair? The cushions I’m looking at come in two sizes, 24″ wide x 26″ deep, or 26″ wide by 30″ deep. It looks like the inside dimension of the chair is 30″ wide, which seems like standard size cushions would be loose.
Thanks for your advice!
Ok so if you build the standard reef sofa, the cushions that work are those from the ‘inspiration’ piece – allegedly. but if you build the modified versions, they work with the threshold deep seat cushions (linked to in this plan)! i think they are 24 x 25 or something close to it. Here is the link to those plans! https://www.thedesignconfidential.com/2014/06/free-diy-furniture-plans-how-to-build-an-outdoor-reef-sofa-with-modifications-for-cushions-from-target/