Why is good looking modern outdoor furniture always so expensive?! My biggest pet peeve is paying thousands for outdoor furniture that’s basically in it’s prime for a few short months. I looked high and low for an outdoor furniture set that wasn’t going to break the bank and stay within my project budget, but that literally does not exist. So I decided to make my own DIY modern outdoor sofa!
This was the inspiration piece from World Market and this one too behind the idea of my DIY modern outdoor sofa! I love the modern lines and wanted to make something that was similar but still matched the DIY modern outdoor chairs.
How to make your own DIY Modern Outdoor Sofa
Be sure to read through the instructions thoroughly and FAQ’s on our DIY Outdoor Furniture.
Step 1: Build arm base
If you built the DIY Modern Outdoor Chairs, then these first few steps will be very similar! Cut your arm base pieces using a miter saw and the 1x3x8 select pine boards. By cutting all of these pieces at once you can also make all the pocket holes for the arm bases as well! Cut 4 pieces at 26 1/2″ and 4 pieces at 30″.
Make your pocket holes using a Kreg Jig! I use the the Kreg Jig K4 and absolutely love it. Set your drill guide to 3/4″ thickness and a screw length of 1 1/4″. The pocket holes will ONLY go into the 26 1/2″ boards.
Step 2: Attach arm base seat mount
Cut 2 more 26 1/2″ boards from the 1x3x8 for the center base mount. Measure 10″ from the bottom of the 30″ board and attach the 26 1/2″ board with pocket holes facing inward.
Attach the 26 1/2″ board to the innermost side of the arm rest frame. You may want to use some scrap pieces to brace the piece while you attach. Don’t mind some rogue pocket holes, this was a learning process and I made a few errors while building!
Step 3: Attach seat frame
Use (2) 1x3x6 @ full length for both the front and back of the sofa to form the seat frame. Make 2 pocket holes on each end and face pocket holes inward to hide when attaching. The frame will be very delicate, so use some assistance when flipping over and attaching 1x3x6’s.
Step 4: Attach 2×2 slat supports
Cut a 2x2x8 @ 72″, you may need to cut to fit. This will be a snug fit and you may need a hammer or mallet to push into place. The 2×2 should be lined up with the bottom of the 1×3. Attach the 2×2 with (10) 2″ wood screws on each side.
Step 5: Attach middle brace
Attach (2) 10″ 1×3’s to the middle of the seat frame. Only make pocket holes on one end of the 10″ pieces (don’t mind my rogue pocket holes). You must attach the (2) 10″ pieces first before the 26 1/2″ piece.
Attach the 26 1/2″ board on the underside to hide the pocket holes.
Step 6: Attach seat slats
Attach the 20 – 1×2 seat slats at 25″, again, measure to fit if needed! Use wood glue and 3/4″ brad nails for each slat. Evenly space out the slats at about 2 1/4″ apart, the back and front slats will fit snug against the 1×3 seat frame.
Step 7: Attach back slats
Attach the back slats with 1x3x6 @ full length. Each slat should have 2 pocket holes on each end attached with the pocket holes on the inside. I used scrap 1×3’s as spacers between the back slats.
Step 8: Attach back slat brace
Attach a 1×3 @ 17 11/16″ board to the middle back slats. Use wood glue and a brad nailer to secure. In the spaces behind the 17 11/16″ board attach 1×3 @ 2 1/2″ with wood glue and brad nails.
Step 9: Finished product
Now it’s time to stain the sofa! I used the same stain I used on the chairs on the sofa, a new stain Varathane came out with this year called Flagstone available at Home Depot. Before staining sand with 180G and 220G sand paper and wipe down thoroughly of any dust. For a more in-depth tutorial on staining check out this post here!
This sofa is seriously a dream and I absolutely loved how it turned out!
You can check out the full tutorial and FREE plans for the matching DIY Modern Outdoor Chairs!
To see the whole mini patio makeover, be sure to head over to the reveal post here: Mini Patio Makeover.
Download the PDF plans if you’d like to build this DIY Modern Outdoor Sofa. It’ll have the step-by-step directions, along with dimensions and a complete materials and cut list.
**This post contains affiliate links, please read our disclosure and privacy policy if you have any questions.
To “Get the Look” for this space check out the Mini Patio Makeover with a full list of sources for everything!
SHOPPING LIST :
- 6 – 1×2 select pine @ 8FT
- 4 – 1×3 select pine @ 8FT
- 6 – 1×3 select pine @ 6FT
- 2 – 2×2 @ 8FT
- 20 – 2″ wood screws (for 2×2 base)
- 52 – 1 1/4″ Kreg screws
- 56 – 3/4″ Brad Nails
- 180 and 250 grit sand paper
- Wiping Cloths
- 1QT Varathane Stain in Flagstone (will be enough for 2 chairs and sofa)
- 1 can – Varathane Poly in Satin
- Wood Glue
- Back Cushions
- Seat Cushions
TOOLS :
Tape Measure
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Ear Protection
Mask
Drill
Miter Saw
Sander (or Sanding Sponge)
Kreg Jig
or 
Brad Nailer
SKILL LEVEL :
Beginner/Intermediate
PROJECT COST:
$127 (*project cost may vary)
Still have questions? Be sure to check out the FAQ’s on our DIY Outdoor Furniture.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything building wise or product questions! I’m an open book 
For more behind the scenes on all of our DIY and home projects be sure to follow along on instagram. To see all of our inspo and upcoming projects be sure to follow along on pinterest.
Where did you buy the cushions for the sofa?
Hi Callie,
They are from IKEA!
Looks fab, are cushions the hallo range or a different range?
Hi Aimee,
Here’s a link to the cushions we used for the chair and sofa.
Seat: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/froesoen-duvholmen-seat-pad-outdoor-beige-s59253081/
Back: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/froesoen-duvholmen-back-cushion-outdoor-beige-s89253107/
Thank you! 🤗
Hi Kourtni,
Love this sofa and chairs. Would you mind sending dimensions of the seat cushions for the sofa and chairs?
Thanks!
Hi Shannon,
Thank you so much! Here’s a link for the seat cushions and back cushions I purchase from IKEA.
Seat: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/froesoen-duvholmen-seat-pad-outdoor-beige-s59253081/
Back: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/froesoen-duvholmen-back-cushion-outdoor-beige-s89253107/
LOVE the look of these. They look like they could be from West Elm.
After some use have you found the arm height comfortable or would you make adjustments and lower it?
Thanks for sharing this!
Is it uncomfortable to sit in if the there is no angle to the on the back?
Hi Charlie,
They are comfortable to us! If you want there to be an angle you can definitely modify the plans if needed or add a plush back cushion/extra pillows!
I built this exactly to your plan, and it is so rickety? It sways front to back. Did you add any extra supports not listed in the instructions?
Hi Amy,
I’m sorry you’re having this issue! Due to the nature of the size of wood the furniture will be extremely light. We did not have the issue of the furniture swaying. After some use of the sofa we did add some extra supports to the center brace and the back by gluing scrap 1×3’s we had on hand to create essentially a 2×3. Let me know if you have any additional questions and feel free to check out the FAQ on the DIY Outdoor Furniture build too!
The same thing happened to me. I added a 2×4 X on the sides and a brace on the bottom support as well.
Love the look! Have you had any issues with the wood warping?
Hi Natalie,
Thank you! No, I have not had any issues. However, we only used them for 2 seasons (spring and summer). Be sure to check out the FAQ for our Outdoor Furniture, so many great questions there too 🙂
Great DIY write up!
I don’t typically follow plans from the internet, but the simplicity is great. Especially the lumber list so I didn’t have to guess while standing in lowes.
Went with oak over pine for strength. Added a slight angle to the back for comfort and additional stability. Pillows $300 from At Home and oak lumber ~$150. At some point buying the real thing is almost economical, but building it yourself is much more satisfying.
Hi Brad,
Thanks so much, I’m glad you found it helpful! I’m sure yours are a beauty seeing that you went with oak over pine! Yes, at some point sometimes it’s just more economical to purchase rather than DIYing. I think the best part of DIY is being able to say I built that, so I definitely agree with much more satisfying 😉
The seat slats on the sofa are closer to 26 1/2 not 25 inches like the chairs. I got 20 slats that are more than an inch short.
Hi! Awesome work. Do you mind sharing the dimensions of the sofa and chairs? We would like to build but want to make sure they fit our space.
Hi Katie,
Thank you so much! You can find the dimensions for the sofa and chair within the printable plans!