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Check out these great DIY woodworking projects for your yard, from benches and planters to chairs and tables!

The key to building outdoor furniture is to use rot resistant wood—such as pressure treated pine, redwood, cedar, or cypress—and corrosion resistant nails and screws, like stainless steel or galvanized.

    Completed bench.

    Deck Bench

    This backyard bench is perfect for a deck or patio and can also be used to display potted plants. The bench was made from 2×12 and 2×4 pressure treated lumber using a circular saw and jigsaw to cut and shape the pieces and a drill and screws for assembly.

    Find out more at How to Build an Outdoor Bench.

    Completed picnic table.

    Backyard Picnic Table

    This 38” wide by 60” long picnic table seats six to eight. Galvanized carriage bolts were used to join the legs and seat supports together. To prevent the top from cupping, attach the boards with the annual rings in the grain arching up like a rainbow.

    Find out more at Building a Picnic Table.

    Completed Adirondack chair.

    DIY Adirondack Chair

    Made from cedar using plans from Woodcraft, this Adirondack chair was assembled using galvanized carriage bolts and screws. To save time, sand and round off the edges of the individual parts before assembly.

    Find out more at Building an Adirondack Chair.

    Completed outdoor planter.

    Build a Patio Planter

    This 18” by 21” patio planter is 25” high. The paneled sides and mitered top were made from pressure treated 1×4 and 2×4 lumber and was joined together using corrosion resistant deck screws.

    Find out more at How to Build a Patio Planter.

    Allen Lyle hanging plants on hanging planter post.

    Hanging Plant Post

    This easy to make planter post is perfect for displaying hanging plants. To make, cut a treated 4×4 post to length, attach metal brackets to the sides, and set the post plumb in the ground.

    DIY Tool Jigs

    These homemade jigs can make your next woodworking projects easier.

      • Crosscut Guide: Screw two pieces of lumber or plywood together in a “T” shape to make a guide for your circular saw. Watch Making a Crosscut Guide to find out more.
      • Rip Guide: Clamp a strip of wood to the base of your circular saw parallel with the blade to make a homemade rip guide.
    • Miter Saw Table: To support long stock when crosscutting with a power miter saw, place an extension ladder on sawhorses, attach the saw to a plywood base then position it on the ladder. Construct “T” shaped brackets from scrap lumber to support the stock when cutting. Watch Miter Saw Work Table to find out more.

    Portable miter saw table.

    Other Tips from This Episode

    Screwing in a brass screw.

    Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
    Brass Screw Tip

    To keep brass screws from breaking off when installing, drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw. Next, screw a steel screw the same size as the brass one in the hole. Unscrew the steel screw, and screw in the brass screw. (Watch Video)

    Pendant lights

    Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
    Decorator Pendant Lights

    Decorator pendant lights are available at The Home Depot in a wide range of styles and designs that can add a touch of color and pizzazz to your breakfast room, bar, or kitchen. Lights include bulbs to make installation a snap. (Watch Video)

    Installing window film on a window.

    Ask Danny Lipford:
    Sunlight from Windows

    Sunlight from windows allows heat and UV rays in your home that can fade furniture and increase air conditioning costs. To reduce the sunlight coming through single pane glass, install window film on the inside of the glass. Chose new windows that have a Low-E coating to block UV light and reduce heat gain. (Watch Video)

    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Danny Lipford

    Danny Lipford

    Founder

    Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

    Learn More