Outdoor coffee table

Mark Rayner shows you how to create this simple outdoor coffee table – an ideal addition to a deck or patio now that summer is around the corner.

You will need: Approximately 4.2m of 50mm x 50mm treated timber or similar (we used 8 x treated garden stakes), approximately 5.8m of 100mm x 25mm decking, 75mm treated pine screws, 45mm treated pine screws, pencil, tape measure, set square, saw, sandpaper, drill with drill bits, screwdriver, exterior PVA glue, a clamp, paint stirrer, paintbrush, Resene mineral turpentine, Resene paint pot for washing the brush. Resene Woodsman Penetrating Oil Stain tinted to Resene Iroko.

To get the look: Mark stained the wicker chair with Resene Woodsman Penetrating Oil Stain tinted to Resene Japanese Maple.

Here's another option: You can also convert an indoor wooden coffee table into one for use outdoors by removing any screws or nails that are liable to rust and replace them with weather-resistant ones, such as galvanised or stainless steel. Strengthen any joints with exterior glue and apply a suitable exterior primer, usually Resene Quick Dry or Resene Smooth Surface Sealer and finish off with two coats of Resene Enamacryl or Resene Lustacryl.

Step 1 how to make an outdoor coffee table

Step 1
From the 50mm x 50mm treated timber (or garden stakes) measure and mark four pieces at 450mm long and four pieces at 600mm long.

Step 2 how to make an outdoor coffee table

Step 2
Use the set square to mark cutting lines, as shown.

Step 3 how to make an outdoor coffee table

Step 3
Using the pencil lines as a guide, cut the eight lengths of timber.

Step 4 how to make an outdoor coffee table

Step 4
In the same way, repeat steps one to three, cutting eight 720mm lengths of decking.

Step 5
Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step 6
On a flat surface, assemble a square frame using the 600mm lengths of timber, as shown. Fix at each corner with PVA glue and 75mm screws, drilling pilot holes first. Use the set square to ensure corners are at right angles.

Step 7
Using PVA glue and 75mm screws, fix the 450mm lengths of timber at each corner of the frame to form table legs, as shown. Clamp firmly while the pilot holes are drilled and screws put in position.

Step 8
Stand the table base the right way up and fix the eight pieces of decking into position to form the table top. Fix with PVA glue and 45mm screws.

Step 9
Carefully stir the Resene Woodsman with a paint stirrer.

Step 10
Apply two coats of Resene Woodsman to the table allowing 24 hours for each coat to dry.

Step 11
Wash brush using Resene Mineral Turpentine.

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