What are you gonna do to make your outdoor space more attractive this summer? Absolutely a new outdoor dining table. Building an outdoor dining table is a great way to create a space for your family or friends to hang out. Therefore, a DIY outdoor dining table is a perfect option. But your budget might not agree with you, right? To your rescue, we’ve compiled some fantastic DIY outdoor dining table ideas you can do yourself. Let’s take a look at a simple guideline for how to build an outdoor dining table!

Why Should You Make an Outdoor Dining Table?

A wood dining table with metal legs or bases is perfect for a patio
Credit: Flowyline Design
Buy now: 418 Curva Metal Outdoor Dining Table Legs

Whether you are holding a party or just simply enjoying tea time, an outdoor table offers a unique experience. Understanding the pros and cons of a height dining set allows you to have meals with loved ones while enjoying the view and fresh air. It is ideal for Sunday afternoon cookouts, dinner parties with friends, and all kinds of summer gatherings that revolve around food and the great outdoors!

When you add an outdoor table to an outdoor recreational area like a park, you are creating an inviting place where your guests feel comfortable relaxing. This will help people enjoy your recreational area and want to stay longer, even dining in for a meal at your location instead of leaving the premises and potentially never coming back.

Apart from that, outdoor tables also fit perfectly with school, summer camps, etc. They give everyone a chance to enjoy being engaged in a project, plus messes are easier to handle than in an indoor setting. If you have some tables, you can also organize class activities or team building exercises!

How to Build an Outdoor Dining Table

There are all different styles of outdoor dining tables but if you're looking for a more doable table, be sure to look at this instruction. They're easy to build and will give you a great classic but stylish look.

Tools

• Miter saw

• Kreg jig

• Drill

• Measuring tape

• Carpenter’s square

• Sander

• Clamps

• Optional: router

Material

Wood products:

• 4×4 boards

• 2×4 boards

• 2×6 boards

• 2×8 board

• 2×10 boards

• 1×6 board

• 1×4 board

Outdoor wood glue

• 1 1/4″ construction screws

• 2 1/2″ construction screws

• 4″ construction screws

• 2 1/2″ Kreg screws

Step 1: Make the Table Base

Preparing four pieces of wood for the table legs
Credit: @Helgy on Canva

Firstly, cut four pieces 5 1/2″ each from the 1×6 boards to create the feet. Then cut four 30″ pieces from the 4×4 with each end cut at a 45-degree angle for the leg tops and bottoms.

If you want to add a decorative top to the table feet, use a router to add a decorative edge to all 4 sides of all 4 feet.

Secure the feet to the bottom of the table legs using wood glue and 1 1/4″ construction screws. Make sure not to place the feet too close to the outer edges of the angled leg bottoms, as the screws might come through the top. Repeat for the other table leg.

Next, cut four 22 1/2″ table legs from the 4x4 boards.

Attach the metal table leg posts to the top of the table leg bottoms. Space the posts so they are 8″ apart from each other and centered on the leg bottom.

Predrill 1″ deep holes in the bottom of the legs, then attach the legs by driving 4″ screws through the predrilled holes into the leg posts. Remember to choose the correct size of wood screws for your table legs. Then, repeat for the other table leg.

Attach the metal table leg top to the top of the leg posts in the same manner as you attached the posts to the table leg bottoms. Remember to ensure that the posts are 8″ apart and be in the right middle of the leg top. Repeat for the other table leg.

If you are wondering where you can purchase complete table legs or table bases to build outdoor dining table, check out the Flowyline store for outdoor table base ideas!

Step 2: Assemble Table Base

In the second step, build the table base by attaching the tabletop supports with pocket holes
Credit: Neil Cummings on flickr

Cut three 77″ long pieces from the 2×4 boards.

Build the table base by attaching the tabletop supports with pocket holes so they are flush with the outside of the table leg posts. Add pocket holes to the top of the tabletop supports to attach the tabletop.

Attach the table leg support between the two table leg bottoms so they are centered on the dining table legs. Secure them with pocket holes.

Step 3: Build the Tabletop

Using pocket hole screws to secure the tabletop to the table bases
Credit: Robert Kneschke on Canva

Cut two 38″ pieces from the 2×6 boards for the tabletop ends. Then, cut four 81 1/2″ pieces from the 2x10 boards.

Build the tabletop with pocket holes by attaching the 4 tabletop boards together along the length of the boards. Then add the 2 tabletop ends to the ends with pocket holes.

Secure the tabletop to the table bases with pocket hole screws. Finish the table with outdoor approved stains and sealers.

What to Consider for a DIY Outdoor Dining Table

Kinds of Wood Should Be Used for Your Outdoor Table

Cedar is a great option for DIY outdoor dining table projects; however, you can also use others such as acacia, black locust, cypress, or teak. Cedar is soft, light, and easy to work with. It does make good outdoor furniture because it's rot, termite, and powder beetle resistant. Cypress is comparable in softness to the various cedars. The cypress's heartwood color varies from a light yellow brown to reddish and dark brown.

In addition, black locust competes with others for the title of strongest. This makes it very durable with good weathering characteristics. Acacia is also a kind of hardwood and is resistant to the elements, rotting, and insects.

About teak, everyone knows that it’s possibly the ideal wood for outdoor furniture, especially for building an outdoor dining table. Durable, waterproof, and resistant to sunlight, as well as very easy on the eye - teak is as close as it gets to perfect.

Considering Your Budget

One of the important factors is keeping your budget in mind when building an outdoor dining table. It can help you get the best value for your investment.

Start by choosing materials that fit within your budget while still offering durability and weather resistance. Look for cost effective options, such as teak is an affordable type of wood when compared to others. Additionally, planning and measuring carefully can help avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure that you use your materials efficiently.

Finding the Right Furniture

Another factor that needs to be considered is whether the furniture is appropriate or not. For example, when setting up the seating outside with your outdoor table, you should consider the number of your family members. In case, your kids have grown and love eating outdoors while playing around.

Additionally, think about the size and arrangement to ensure there’s enough space for movement and that the furniture fits well within the area.
If you want to buy available table bases or table legs rather than making them yourself, visit our store! Metal outdoor table legs and bases from Flowyline Design are highly crafted by handmade metal furniture makers, so they are prolonged to use, unique look, and contemporary elegance, are budget-saving, and are easy to care for.

Conclusion

We hope that with the above guideline, you'll gain the confidence to the question of how to build an outdoor dining table. Add to your cart right away to begin your journey on DIY your dream one. And, don’t hesitate to contact us via email at customerservice@flowyline.com for further information and support!