Easy DIY Outdoor Table

Keeping the projects rolling during our time at home – this week I am sharing an easy DIY outdoor table.  Last week Sam built me a bench using a tutorial I will link below, and it was SO EASY, and turned out amazing.  I will walk you through how I made a beauty of a table for $45 that we are already loving so much as a family. 

this post contains affiliate links – When we built this table the price of lumber was MUCH lower. It will likely cost you more to build this now.

Easy DIY Outdoor Table

This year going into summer feels so different.  I know it is going to include so many meals at home instead of eating at the pool like we usually do all summer.  

I am on a mission to make sure our outdoor space at home is ready for fun days and cool nights, because it doesn’t feel like we will be getting out as much as we normally would.

We have 4 little ones – ages 8 months – 7 years old, so we are always looking for items that allow us to enjoy our time with them more – and when it comes to meal time that also means a big table. 

Finding the Right Furniture for Your Family

Previously I had done lounge seating outside, but the older the kids are getting the more we enjoy eating outside with them.  We decided to sell the old lounge furniture and move a table we already had outside (an IKEA one) for some cheap outdoor dining space, but it was clear that we did need more seating.

Being the gem that he is, Sam set out to make me the bench about a week ago and it turned out SO CUTE that he decided to make me a table this week to go with it. Have I mentioned how much I love him?

Bench Tutorial

Before I give you the measurements and such, you should defintietly check out this tutorial for the bench that I found on Pinterest.  I was searching for ways to use up 2x4s that we had on hand and found her amazing bench that we loved so much that we decided to create the table too.   

One thing I will note – if we were to do this over, and were making the two pieces at the same time I would have made the bench a bit longer than her tutorial just to have more seating on that side of the table.

I am linking to her bench tutorial, so be sure to check it out and show her some love for all her hard work and her amazing tutorial!!

Bench Tutorial

Printable Supplies and Directions

I have started to offer printable supplies and directions to my DIY posts to hopefully help you and make things a little easier as you are working through your own projects.  

My suggestion is to always read through the entire blog post at least one time before using this feature so you can see any important tips, tricks, disclaimers, etc.

The printable version is meant to be more of a cheat sheet of sorts to help you while you’re working or shopping. 

Outdoor Table Supplies

16 2x4s – you can get them pretreated for outdoor or not

Outdoor Screws

Drill Here

Table Saw Here

Black Outdoor Paint

Poly Sealer Here or weatherproof stain

Cutting Your Lumber

We personally wanted a huge table – we have 4 kids and family in town so when we eat outside we usually have company. It’s also worth mentioning that the way the legs are made, it’s not as easy to put chairs on the ends. With that being said our table is 96 inches long. 

First make all your cuts: 

Leave 10 boards 96 inches long (or cut them to your specified length)

Cut 2 boards 89 1/4 (this measurement will change if you shortened your table)

You need 4 pieces 30 inches long 

4 pieces 36 inches long

1 of your longest pieces of extra (as close to 36 inches)

Build the Legs

First things first, when everything is cut – build your legs. Lay down one of your 36 inch boards and drill into it the 30 inch boards coming up from the ends.  You will then have a U.

Then you need to drill your top cross beam in.  We laid a scrap of 2×4 on top of the board to make sure we were giving it the perfect amount of clearance for the top. 

Once you have built both of your legs you will paint those black with your outdoor paint. 

Assembly

Now that your legs are built – once they have dried, you will attach the top.

Stand your legs up, and lay your 2x4s on top.  Screw the boards in – you want them to butt up the end of the black like you see in my picture. 

After all 10 are on, check to be sure they fit in there nicely. Next, you will attach the last 36 inch board to the middle of the under side of the table.

We did this for added stability, because at any given time at least one of my children will be trying to climb across the table.

Last step is attaching your two 89 1/4 inch boards to the sides.  Those two boards will be attached in the other direction (so skinnier side up) than your other 10 boards.  

Finishing

Once you are done you can fill in the nail holes with wood filler if you want and sand those down.  Then either stain the boards (we decided not to do that) or seal them with a poly sealer – The one I listed above is my favorite!

This table is meant to be simple and rustic – if you are looking for a table and bench that are going to look super finished and fancy this isn’t your tutorial haha.  

But it was simple and I LOVE the way it looks.  We will definitely spend many a night out here eating this summer, and may even drill a hole through the center for our umbrella.

I know this is a quick tutorial – I had so many people excited to try this that wanted to jump on it this weekend so I wanted to get it up and live for them.  

Other Posts You’ll Love

Pink Stock Tank Pool Tutorial | DIY Dining Table | Amazon Outdoor Furniture and Decor  |  DIY Planter Box  |  DIY Terra-cotta Pots & Outdoor Rugs

Pin the Photo Below for Later

Hopefully you love this DIY outdoor table tutorial and are able to create your own with lots of dining and memories to be made at it this summer!

  Our kids personally broke ours in while decorating and eating donuts outside this morning. So it was definitely a win win to have them enjoying their morning, and me knowing that an afternoon rain would clean up the mess instead of me – PRAISE BE.

As always if you have questions shoot me an email, comment below, or DM on Instagram (@arinsolange) and I am always happy to help.