Plan review · Outdoor
Double Adirondack Chair with Table
A plan by Jack · reviewed by ThePlanStack, January 2026
Two-seater with a center table (~250 lb), prone to tipping — anchor it.
Solid for normal use — holds ~250 lb; just don't overload it — and it tips easily, so read the tip-over note below.
- Cost$100-$150
- SkillBeginner
- TimeA weekend
- Holds~250 lb
The honest take
What the plan doesn't tell you
• The biggest challenge will be keeping the two chair frames and the center table aligned and square during assembly. Work on a flat surface.
• Cedar is a softwood and splits easily. You must pre-drill every screw hole, especially near the ends of boards.
• The curved cuts for the arms and back slats require a steady hand with the jigsaw. Practice on a piece of scrap wood first to get the feel.
• This chair will be heavy and awkward to move once fully assembled. Plan to build it near its final location.
This is a solid beginner plan for a classic outdoor project. The choice of cedar is spot-on for weather resistance. Relying only on screws and glue for a double-wide chair is a bit light on joinery, but it should hold up if you use quality exterior-grade fasteners and adhesive. The plan's specific orientation guidance in 10 of the steps is excellent, as getting the angles right is critical for both comfort and strength. Pay close attention during assembly, as keeping a piece this large square can be a challenge.
Who it's for
Who should build this — and who should skip it
First-timer friendly — a solid early project with no fussy joinery. Outdoor lounge seating for an adult (or two). Skip it if you need it to carry much past ~250 lb — and treat it as a piece to anchor to the wall, not a free-standing one.
The checks
What we checked, and what held
Holds ~250 lb safely
Finished size 36H x 48W x 33.25D
Suitable for light household use; avoid concentrated overloading.
- Governing member
- Front seat support
- Material
- Pine
- Cross section
- 6.75 in × 0.75 in
- Orientation
- Flat
- Clear span
- 22.0 in
- Load applied
- 100 lb
- Measured sag
- 0.0417 in
- Working load
- ~250 lb
- Finished weight
- 34.8 lb
Load case ~100 lbs on this member - its share of a ~250 lb load on the whole piece
| Check | Result |
|---|---|
| Bending in the front seat support — 50% of allowable | PASS |
| Sag in the same member — L/527 against an L/120 limit | PASS |
| Left Armrest | PASS |
| Right Armrest | PASS |
| Left Armrest Trim | PASS |
| Right Armrest Trim | PASS |
| Tip-over resistance, unloaded — ratio 0.77 against a 1.0 target | ADVISORY |
Conservative run Checked a second time against stricter standards, the same member reads L/351 at 75% of allowable — PASS
Install anti-tip hardware (wall anchor)
Alternative: Add 18 lbs ballast to base
Model coverage 62% of this design resolved to a load path down to the ground in our model (16/26 surfaces have load path to ground). Parts outside that path were checked for their own strength but not for what they carry.
The structural reality. We checked the part that works hardest here — the pine front seat support — as a loaded beam over its real working span. Under a realistic in-use load it barely flexes — well within furniture limits, deflecting only about 1/527 of its span, with bending stress at roughly 50% of what the wood allows. In short, it should feel firm and stay that way.
Sound for normal use — just don’t overload it. Our conservative estimate puts the safe working load at ~250 lbs — enough for an adult sitting down with margin to spare. Real-world strength depends just as much on assembly: glue every joint, keep the frame square, and drive your fasteners fully home.
These are planning estimates, not a stamped engineering analysis. Wood varies board to board — for anything safety-critical, check with a qualified pro.
Furniture mode, analysis v7.0. Planning estimates — check anything safety-critical with a qualified pro. How we analyze plans.
Build tips
Before you build
- Use a high-quality waterproof wood glue (like Titebond III) on every joint before screwing. The glue provides significant long-term strength.
- When attaching the seat and back slats, cut a small piece of scrap wood to use as a spacer. This ensures your gaps are consistent and gives a professional look.
- Check for square constantly. Use a large framing square after connecting the main leg and arm assemblies before adding the slats.
Reference
Materials & cut list
Lumber & sheet goods
- 1x8x6′ lumber (qty: 2)
- 1x6x6′ lumber (qty: 1)
- 1x4x8′ lumber (qty: 7)
- 2x2x6′ lumber (qty: 1)
Hardware
- 1-1/4 in wood screws
- 1-5/8 in wood screws
- 2-1/2 in wood screws
- Wood glue
- Wood filler
- Brad nails
View Full Cut List & Materials
| Part Name | Qty | Dimensions | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legs (A) | 2 | 33.25" x 7.25" x 0.75" | 1x8 Lumber |
| Frame (B) | 1 | 46.5" x 6.75" x 0.75" | 1x8 Lumber |
| Frame (B) | 1 | 45" x 5.5" x 0.75" | 1x6 Lumber |
| Frame (B) | 2 | 19.75" x 3.5" x 0.75" | 1x4 Lumber |
| Legs (C) | 2 | 20.75" x 3.5" x 0.75" | 1x4 Lumber |
| Support (D) | 1 | 48" x 1.5" x 1.5" | 2x2 Lumber |
| Armrests (E) | 2 | 24.5" x 3.5" x 0.75" | 1x4 Lumber |
| Armrests (E) | 2 | 23.25" x 3.5" x 0.75" | 1x4 Lumber |
| Backrest (F) | 8 | 29.25" x 3.5" x 0.75" | 1x4 Lumber |
| Backrest (F) | 2 | 16" x 3.5" x 0.75" | 1x4 Lumber |
| Table (H) | 3 | 13" x 3.5" x 0.75" | 1x4 Lumber |
| Table (H) | 4 | 24.5" x 3.5" x 0.75" | 1x4 Lumber |
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Cut List Calculator
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| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Material |
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Original plan
About this design
This design is Jack’s work, not ours. We review free DIY plans and add the engineering: load paths, spans, joints, and the fixes worth making before you cut. We do not republish the build instructions. For the steps, the photographs and the author’s own notes, go to the source.
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