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 gather and enjoy cozy moments. But your budget might not agree with you, right? To your rescue, we’ve compiled some fantastic DIY outdoor dining table ideas and easy steps that you can do yourself. Let’s take a look at a simple guideline for how to build an outdoor dining table!
How to Build Outdoor Dining Table
Credit: ©THEPALMER on Canva.com
There are many different styles of outdoor dining tables but if you're looking for a more simple and budget friendly DIY outdoor table project, this instruction may be helpful and will give you a great classic but stylish look.
Tools
- 02 sawhorses
- Clamps
- A circular saw
- An orbital power sander
- Tape measure
- Mechanical pencil
- Safety ear muffs
Materials
Wood Boards With Proper Dimensions
- 05 boards at 2"x8"x8'
- 05 boards at 4"x4"x8'
Outdoor Hardware
- Pocket screw jig (Kreg XL jig is recommended)
- Pocket-hole screws at 2 1/2" and 4”
- Weather resistant wood glue
- Wood filler
- Wood finish (teak oil, danish oil, tung oil, etc. are recommended)
Step 1: Mark and Cut the Wood Boards
This is one of the very first steps in building an outdoor dining table. Place all of your 2"x8"x8' wood boards on two sawhorses. Use a measuring tape to mark 18 inches from the end of each wood board and cut along the marked lines with a circular saw. The cut off parts can be used to build matching benches. Don’t forget to keep your cuts as straight as possible to maintain the perfect look of the entire project.
Step 2: Join the 2"x8"x8' Wood Boards Together
In this step, a XL pocket screw jig and some wood clamps will be helpful. Once the wood boards are fixed with the clamps, place the pocket screw jig on each piece and drill them diagonally. Each wood board needs two holes like this.
Once complete, use wood glue and 2 1/2" XL pocket-hole screws to secure the pieces together. Add and spread the wood glue first, place the wood boards together and start drilling. Don't forget to secure the end of the tabletop, where the wood boards may be offset. Trim the end of the tabletop if needed to keep it straight.
Easily assemble your wood boards together with a pocket screw jig
Credit: ©Koldunov on Canva.com
Step 3: Prepare Some Stretchers for The Table Base
We will need:
- Three 68” length pieces (10 inches less than your tabletop)
- Four 28 1/2" length pieces
- Four 23 1/2" length pieces
For each 68” piece, measure about 3 1/2" from each end and drill two pocket holes at each end.
For the four 23 1/2” pieces, measure and drill the same way as above. Each piece has four holes.
Step 4: Assemble The Table Base
First, apply and spread the wood glue evenly on the ends of the 28 1/2" and 23 1/2" pieces. Arrange the two pieces of each type so that the one with pocket holes will be positioned horizontally once attached to the tabletop. Then, secure the square frame with 4” long XL pocket screws. Do this entire process for the remaining four short wood pieces.
Second, attach the three 68” stretchers to the two square frames so that two first stretchers are positioned on top to provide solid support for the tabletop. The remaining stretcher will rest on the ground and serve as a footrest.
If you are looking for some more creative outdoor table base ideas, we still have another option. You can also choose a steel table base with a powder-coated finish to save time while still maintaining the unique look and desired durability.
Using powder-coated metal table legs can speed up your DIY outdoor table project
Credit: Flowyline Design
Buy now: 507 Yami Dining Table Legs; 317 Namu Modern Table Base
Step 5: Sanding and Finishing
This is one of the most important steps that determines whether your dining table can be used outdoors. Sanding will help give the wood surface a smoother look. You can use wood glue mixed with sawdust to fill in tiny holes on the wood boards.
Building an outdoor table will be a simple project if you choose a suitable wood oil. It protects the wood from environmental elements like rain and sun. We will recommend some outdoor wood finish in the next part of this article.
Step 6: Building Outdoor Benches
You can apply similar techniques as above, but with smaller dimensions, to build a matching bench. If you are looking for more unique bench designs and a time-saving choice, combining a wood bench top with metal bench legs is a great option.
At Flowyline, we offer durable, heavy-duty steel bench legs. The designs in this collection can support bench tops up to 500 lbs. The all-weather powder coating finish is also suitable for outdoor use. Plus, with adjustable levelers, your bench will stay balanced on uneven ground, especially in outdoor settings.
How to Protect Your Outdoor Wood Table
Teak: The Best Choice for Outdoor Wood Furniture
Choosing the right material plays a crucial role in the life-span of wooden furniture. Teak is considered as the hardest and most durable wood type. It has a natural oil content that can work as a water resistant layer. This natural feature will help your outdoor wood bench become more durable against environmental factors.
Applying Wood Stain or Sealer
Teak oil, danish oil, tung oil, spar urethane, spar varnish, exterior latex paint and chalk paint are recommended options that work best for your outdoor wood furniture. They work as a film that protects your wood from moisture penetration. This is also the main reason that leads to cracks, discoloration, and mold. However, we need to apply the coating every year to keep it working effectively.
Cover Your Wood Dining Table With Epoxy Resin
A thin, crystal-clear coat of epoxy resin can protect your wood table from rot and damage when contacted directly with water and UV rays. It works as a water resistant layer on the wood’s surface. If you're worried about epoxy yellowing over time when used outdoors, covering only the bottom part of the table legs is an optimal choice.
The methods above are also suitable for those who want to transform indoor tables to outdoor furniture.
Why Should You Make an Outdoor Dining Table?
Whether you are hosting 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 building their own projects, 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!
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 wood is soft, light, and easy to work with. It’s ideal for 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 wood is 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 or even small settings such as coffee tables or compact outdoor bar tables. 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, legroom and how the outdoor setting 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 carefully crafted by artists with years of experience in metal furniture market, so they are prolonged to use, unique, budget-saving, and are easy to clean.
Conclusion
How to build an outdoor dining table? That’s just a small challenge after you go through this blog post. A successful DIY project is not only a functional piece but also a meaningful story of our journey, especially when you craft the furniture with loved ones. If you want to explore more helpful guides or interesting ideas, don’t hesitate to visit other blog posts. At Flowyline, we’re here to share and bring your vision to life!