Build Your Own Patio Table: A Step-by-Step Guide

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I wanted an outdoor table for our new patio, but I didn’t want to spend a whole lot of money on a table that was going to be exposed to the elements. So I picked up some framing lumber and got to work building my own! Total, this project cost me $140 in wood for a huge table AND 2 benches! I picked up some 2x10s for the table top, 2x4s for the table base and the bench tops and 2x3s for the bench legs. I’m using pressure treated lumber because treated lumber even though Tyler didn’t recommend it because it has a tendency to curl, but it’s better for outdoor use.

I determined how tall I wanted the table to be and then cut my lumber down. I used 2x4s for the legs of the table. I wanted the legs thicker but I didn’t want to buy 4x4s, so instead I used wood glue and 2in screws to put 2 2x4s together to make them look thicker.

Then I used pocket holes to attach them together at the time and again about 2in from the bottom.

Then I took it out back to the patio to put the rest of the base together. I wasn’t sure It would fit through the gate or the door if I put it together in the garage. I used more pocket holes and wood glue to attach the 2x4s to each leg.

I added a center support too. This will give me something to attach the top boards to in the middle to help keep them straight.

I also added a runner at the bottom, I routed out a spot for it to sit into using the 2×4 as a guide and screwed it into place.

This picture is the look I’m going for, for this table.

You see how the edges are rounded? That’s what I wanted this table to look like, so I sanded down each 2×10 and made sure to go over the edges to round them out. I used my orbital sander and started out with 80 grit sandpaper and then went over it again with 220 grit. Here’s the before sanding and after.

I got the table stained in Dark Walnut and all put together. I just screwed through the top into the table base with 2in screws. Since this is an outdoor table I didn’t care that the screw heads were showing, kind of gives it more of a rustic vibe.

Then I got to work on the 2 benches. The base for the benches are built out of 1x3s and I put 2 together to make them thicker just like I did the table base.

This is what it looked like once it was together.

Then I got the benches stained, I used the color Dark Walnut.

Then I got them all put together the same way I did the table.

Mia helped me carry the benches to the patio once assembled. Of course we had to test it all out!

But the dark walnut stain didn’t dry as dark as I was hoping because of the treated lumber. It looked pretty green, so I went back over it with another coat of dark walnut.

Once that dried I ended up adding a coat of red stain, the red is supposed to cancel out green.

When Tyler got home from out of town he tested the table, he approves!

This was a pretty easy and inexpensive build! I built benches instead of buying 8 chairs because the benches cost $70 for both and chairs are pretty expensive! I did buy these 2 chairs for the ends though, I love that they add a little contrast in color! They are also super sturdy and hold a lot of weight! I just love how it turned out!!