Garden chair

We show you how to build your own garden chair and finish it off with a vibrant Resene blue.

How to build and paint a garden chair

Ways with wood with Mark Rayner - Project 68

Difficulty level: Challenging

You will need

50mm x 50mm timber cut to the following lengths: 320mm (x9), 430mm (x1)
450mm (x2),1100mm (x 2)
75mm x 20mm timber cut to the following lengths: 425mm (x5)
90mm x 45mm timber cut to the following lengths: 500mm (x2)
15mm piece of wood to use as a spacer
50mm exterior screws
100mm exterior screws
Drill with 3mm drill bit

Exterior PVA glue
Exterior filler
Paintbrush
Putty knife or similar
Resene Lustacryl tinted to your choice of colours, Mark used Resene She’ll Be Right
Resene Quick Dry
Sandpaper
Saw
Screwdriver
Set square

To get the look: Mark painted the background wall with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Triple Dune.

Other ideas: For a bright yellow feature paint the chair with Resene Lustacryl tinted to Resene Turbo.

How to build a garden chair

Step 1 Step one
Measure, mark and cut the pieces of timber to the dimensions listed above using a set square to ensure all cuts are at ninety degrees. Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step 2 Step two
Assemble the two 1100mm and two 450mm lengths of timber to four of the 320mm lengths of timber to form the sides of the chair frame, as shown. Fix with PVA glue and 100mm screws, drilling pilot holes first.

Step 3 Step three
Attach four of the 320mm lengths of timber, as shown, to join the two side frames. Once again, fix with PVA glue and 100mm screws, drilling pilot holes first.

Step 4 Step four
Attach the two 500mm lengths of timber to the remaining 320mm lengths of timber, as shown, fixing with PVA glue and 100mm screws, drilling pilot holes first.

Step 5 Step five
Attach the 430mm length of timber across the top of the chair back and then fit the piece from step four into position to complete the back of the chair, as shown. Fix with PVA glue and 100mm screws, drilling pilot holes first.

Step 6 Step six
Using PVA glue and 50mm screws, fix the remaining pieces of timber to form the chair seat, as shown. Space each one approximately 15mm apart, cutting the back piece to fit. Fill the screw heads with exterior filler and, once dry, sand smooth.