Transform your backyard with a stunning, and functional outdoor table that you can build yourself!
If you’re looking to enhance your outdoor space with a personal touch, building your own outdoor table is a perfect project. With a variety of DIY styles to choose from, you can create something that fits your aesthetic, skill level, and available materials. Whether you love the charm of rustic farmhouse tables, the sleek look of modern minimalist designs, or the creativity of upcycled pieces, there’s an option for every taste. In this guide, we explore some of the most popular DIY outdoor table styles to inspire your next project, helping you turn your backyard or patio into a stylish and functional retreat.
There are many styles of DIY outdoor tables to suit different tastes, materials, and skill levels. Here are some popular styles:
1. Rustic Farmhouse
- Materials: Reclaimed wood, pallet wood, or weathered timber.
- Design: Simple, sturdy, and functional with a focus on natural textures. Often includes cross-bracing and chunky legs.
- Finish: Typically left natural or stained with a clear sealant to showcase the grain.
- Resource: This guide offers detailed steps for building a rustic farmhouse table, including using materials like cedar wood and pocket hole screws. It provides a full materials list, tools needed, and the steps for constructing a sturdy outdoor table perfect for any patio or backyard setup. Pallet List offers various designs, including chunky farmhouse tables (Pallet Ideas).
2. Modern Minimalist
- Materials: Metal, concrete, or sleek hardwood like teak.
- Design: Clean lines, simple geometric shapes, often without much decoration.
- Finish: Smooth, sometimes with bold colors or metallic accents for a polished look.
- Resource: For building a DIY modern minimalist outdoor patio table, the best plan I found is from Ana White. This guide offers detailed, step-by-step instructions with a list of materials, tools needed, and a clear breakdown of each step. The table has a modern aesthetic, featuring a streamlined design with sturdy 6×6 legs and a simple yet elegant tabletop construction.
You can check out the full instructions and project details on Ana White’s website: Modern Outdoor Patio Table Plan (Ana White).
3. Industrial
- Materials: Metal pipes, wood planks, concrete.
- Design: Combines rugged materials like steel or iron with wood or concrete for a heavy-duty, industrial vibe.
- Finish: Matte black metal frames with raw wood or concrete surfaces.
- Resources: For a DIY industrial-style outdoor patio table, you can check out the step-by-step plans available on several websites. One great resource is DIY Cozy Home, which includes detailed instructions for a table that features sturdy materials, often incorporating elements like pipe legs for an industrial vibe. Another excellent guide from The Lived-in Look plans for a DIY concrete and metal outdoor patio table. This project includes instructions for building a sturdy table using a concrete top and a metal base, perfect for a modern outdoor space. You’ll find a detailed guide that covers the materials needed, step-by-step assembly instructions, and tips for finishing your table.
Explore the full tutorials to get all the details on materials and techniques:
4. Live Edge
- Materials: Slabs of natural wood with the bark or natural edge intact.
- Design: The natural shape of the wood is a feature. Often paired with minimalist or industrial-style legs.
- Finish: Clear varnish to highlight the beauty of the wood grain and edges.
- Resources:For a DIY live edge outdoor patio table, you can explore several helpful resources with detailed instructions.
- Instructables provides a comprehensive guide to building a live edge table. This tutorial includes steps for cutting, joining, planing, and finishing a live edge slab for outdoor use. It also offers useful tips on flattening the wood and attaching a sturdy base. You can find the guide here: Instructables Live Edge Maple Slab Table (Instructables).
- One Crafty DIY Girl offers a budget-friendly guide for building a live edge patio table using a slab of wood and hairpin legs. The tutorial includes easy-to-follow steps for sanding, sealing, and assembling the table. You can check it out here: Living Edge Patio Table Tutorial (One Craft DIY Girl).
- For more live edge table ideas, including coffee tables and dining tables, DIY Craftsy lists several projects with instructions, covering different styles and finishing techniques. You can explore the variety here: DIY Live Edge Table Ideas (DIY Crafts).
5. Picnic-Style
- Materials: Pressure-treated wood, cedar, or redwood.
- Design: Traditional rectangular or square design with attached benches or freestanding benches.
- Finish: Usually natural, stained, or painted in outdoor-safe finishes.
- Resources: You can find excellent DIY plans for a classic picnic-style outdoor patio table from several reliable sources. For a simple yet sturdy design, Ana White provides free, easy-to-follow plans, perfect for beginners or experienced DIYers. The project includes detailed instructions and a materials list, making it a great weekend project (Ana White).Alternatively, Bob Vila’s guide offers a variety of picnic table plans, including traditional designs and more unique options like folding benches that convert into tables. These plans often come with clear step-by-step instructions, material lists, and tool recommendations, ensuring a smooth build (Bob Vila).
6. Foldable/Portable
- Materials: Lightweight wood, metal, or plastic.
- Design: Compact, collapsible, or foldable for easy storage and mobility.
- Finish: Often simple, with a focus on functionality over decoration.
- Resources: For a DIY folding or portable outdoor patio table, there are several great options available with detailed plans:
- HowToSpecialist’s Folding Picnic Table – This plan guides you through building a folding table that easily converts into benches, ideal for small spaces or versatile outdoor setups. The instructions are easy to follow, complete with visuals and material lists. You can check it out here (HowToSpecialist).
- Family Handyman’s Folding Table – If you’re looking for a sturdy, folding wood table suitable for outdoor use, Family Handyman offers a straightforward guide. This project can be completed in a day, making it a great quick DIY option. You can find the tutorial here (Its Overflowing).
7. Boho Chic
- Materials: Wicker, bamboo, rattan, or reclaimed wood.
- Design: Often includes woven textures, mixed materials, and a more casual, relaxed look.
- Finish: Warm, natural tones with eclectic details like painted accents or decorative patterns.
- Resources: Here are some excellent resources for building a DIY Boho Chic outdoor patio table:
- The DIY Mommy offers a detailed guide to creating a simple DIY boho picnic table. The post includes a list of materials, a step-by-step assembly process, and tips for adding personal flair through paint or stain. You can check it out here (The DIY Mommy).
- Flowyline Design provides a comprehensive tutorial on constructing a boho picnic table using pallets. It includes instructions on deconstructing pallets, cutting boards, and securing the table together, along with styling tips for creating a cozy bohemian atmosphere. Visit their site for the full plans here (Flowyline).
8. Mediterranean/Tuscan
- Materials: Stone, tile, wrought iron, or wood.
- Design: Inspired by Mediterranean architecture, featuring intricate ironwork, stone tabletops, or mosaics.
- Finish: Earthy tones, terracotta, or vibrant ceramic tiles.
- Resources: For a DIY Mediterranean outdoor patio table, you can check out these resources that provide detailed plans:
- The Navage Patch offers a beautiful outdoor farmhouse table plan that incorporates a classic Mediterranean style with its trestle design and herringbone tabletop pattern. You can find the instructions here: Outdoor Farmhouse Table Plans (The Spruce).
- Remodelaholic features a selection of outdoor tables, including designs that can suit a Mediterranean aesthetic. While not specifically labeled as “Mediterranean,” you might find styles that align well with that theme. Check out their collection here: Outdoor Table Plans (Kreg Tool).
9. Concrete/Cinder Block
- Materials: Concrete slabs, pavers, or cinder blocks combined with wood.
- Design: Solid and modern, often with a mix of smooth and rough textures.
- Finish: Either raw concrete or sealed with a glossy finish for durability.
- Resources: Here are a couple of great resources for DIY concrete outdoor patio table plans:
- Life is a Party provides detailed instructions on how to create a concrete table, including how to build the mold, mix the concrete, and finish the table. You can find the full guide here (Life Is A Party).
- DIY Pete offers a beginner-friendly approach to building a concrete table, complete with step-by-step instructions and tips on materials. Check out the full plans here (DIY Projects With Pete)
10. Upcycled/Repurposed
- Materials: Recycled items like old doors, pallets, or barrels.
- Design: Creative and eclectic, with a focus on sustainability. Pieces are often assembled from found materials.
- Finish: Depends on the material, but often a mix of paint, stain, and natural finishes to highlight its previous use.
- Resources: For building a DIY upcycled door outdoor patio table, you can find detailed plans and instructions at I Should Be Mopping the Floor. This guide provides a step-by-step process on how to repurpose an old door into a stylish table, including tips on construction materials, painting techniques, and finishing touches to achieve a weathered look. The project is both functional and visually appealing, making it a great addition to your outdoor space (i should be mopping the floor).
Each of these styles can be customized to fit your space and materials on hand. Do any of these stand out to you for your DIY project?
While you’re here, check out our fire bowls! KP FireBowls handcrafts concrete fire bowls that are perfect for any outdoor space. Each fire bowl is hand poured and finished with your choice of glimmering fire glass.
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