Here’s How to Build an Outdoor Patio Sectional

A beautiful patio sectional can anchor your outdoor décor and increase your summer living space. For smaller patios it can also help make the most of limited space. One of the big benefits of building your own outdoor sectional is that you can customize the size and design to best fit the layout of your patio. You also have unlimited options for choosing colours and cushions. Follow DIY expert Megan Isenor’s easy steps to build your own outdoor patio sectional.

Here’s What You Need*:

• (21) 2″x4″ Spruce Boards (8-foot lengths) 

• 2 - ½″ Deck Screws

• Mitre Saw 

• Cordless Drill

• Tape Measure 

• Wood Glue 

• Wood Conditioner 

• BeautiTone Wood-Shield Stain 

*Lumber may vary depending on your location. To see all your options, use our Store Locator to find the Home Hardware Building Centre or Home Building Centre closest to you.

Step 1: Building the Main Seating Area Frame

First we used our mitre saw to cut out two 6-foot lengths and four 2-foot lengths. Next we attached the ends, placing two of the 2-foot boards inside the 6-foot boards and securing them with deck screws. With the outer frame complete we then placed the other two 2-foot boards inside the frame for support and secured them with deck screws.

Step 2: Building the Secondary Seating Area Frame

We followed the same process for the secondary seating area, cutting out two 4-foot lengths and three 2-foot lengths. Then we attached and secured the ends and the inner support (this frame only requires one inner support).

Step 3: Building the Arms

Our sectional required three arms, so we started by cutting six boards to 25.5″ lengths for the legs, three boards to 27″ lengths for the tops, and six 24″ lengths for the mid-section. Once our cuts were done, we built our first arm, securing the top to the legs with deck screws. Then we measured 14″ up from the bottom of the legs and secured the mid-section. This process was repeated for the other two arms.

Step 4: Securing the Arms to the Frame

We attached one arm to each end of the main frame, and one arm to the secondary frame. The arms were secured at the mid-section support with deck screws.

Step 5: Creating the Legs for the Secondary Frame

Because the secondary frame only has one arm, we created two legs to support the open side that sits flush against the main frame. For the front we cut one board to 12.5″ and secured it, then cut another board to 25.5″ and attached it to the opposite side.

Step 6: Building the Seating

We cut six boards into 6-foot lengths and laid them across the main frame to create the seating. Next, we cut six boards to 4-foot lengths and laid these across the secondary frame. Once in place we secured all the boards with deck screws.

Step 7: Installing the Back Supports

The back supports will provide a structure for pillows and people to lean back against. We cut two boards into 6-foot lengths and attached them to the main frame. Then we cut two boards into 49.5″ lengths and secured them to the secondary frame.

Step 8: Conditioning & Staining the Wood

We used a wood conditioner to prepare the lumber for an even stain application. For the stain, we used BeautiTone Wood Shield Semi-Transparent Stain in the colour Golden Larch.

Our patio sectional turned out exactly as I had envisioned. It’s rustic, sturdy, and a beautiful addition to our deck. I think I enjoy relaxing on it even more because we built it ourselves. Feel free to make tweaks to our design to suit your own deck or patio. Happy building!