Shop All
Store Locator
Search
Order Status
Log In
List
CartHere’s How to Build a Modern Outdoor Daybed
If you’re like us, you never want the summer to end. The sunshine, the breeze, the relaxing vibe: There’s never enough of it. This outdoor daybed DIY will help you make the most of downtime at home – in the summer, as well as the cooler seasons. Streamlined and contemporary, it has the feel of a vintage porch swing, and the simple design meshes well with a wide variety of exterior home styles. It can be installed to add charm to your home’s front entrance – or it can swing on a backyard covered porch, or beneath a vine-covered pergola just as easily.
Here’s What You’ll Need*:
Supplies
(1) 5/8" Good One Side (G1S ) Plywood (4' x 8' sheet)
(4) 2" x 4" Lumber (8-foot lengths)
(2) 2" x 6" Lumber (8-foot lengths)
(5) 5/4" x 6" Deck Boards (8-foot lengths)
1" Jute Rope
3" Deck Screws
BeautiTone Wood-Shield Exterior Acrylic Solid Stain
Exterior Wood Glue
Exterior Wood Filler
Tools
Pencil
Jigsaw
Putty Knife
Box Cutter
*Our full assortment of building supplies is available at Home Building Centre and Home Hardware Building Centre locations. To unlock our catalogue of building supplies online, please select your local Building Centre.
Here’s How to Make It
For this project, we're using basic plywood and decking materials to help you stay on budget.
The overall dimensions of the finished daybed are 78 1/2" wide x 24" high x 37 1/2" deep. Our recommendation is to hang the daybed 20 inches from the floor using sturdy jute rope.
Steps:
1. Assemble all the materials and tools for your project.
2. Create the rectangle base of the daybed. You will need:
(1) 2" x 4" (8-foot length) cut at 72" (this will be the front-facing base of the daybed)
(2) 2" x 4" cut at 33" (these will form the side bases of the daybed); cut one end of each piece on a 10-degree angle
(2) 5/8" G1S plywood cut at 12" x 33" (these two pieces will hold up the armrests); cut one 12" side of each piece of plywood on a 10-degree angle; (the daybed back is constructed with a 10-degree seat slope to make it more comfortable for sitting)
(1) 5/8" G1S plywood cut at 20" x 72" (this will be the back of the daybed); cut one of the 72" sides on a 10-degree angle; (this will be the bottom edge of the daybed back)
Take the 72" piece of 2" x 4" and on either end, attach the two 12" x 33" plywood pieces using glue and screws. Glue and screw each 33" piece of 2" x 4" onto the outside of the plywood sides at the bottom. Ensure each angled piece is positioned towards the back. To form the back of your daybed, glue and screw the 20" x 72" piece of plywood to the plywood sides.
TIP: To avoid wood splitting, countersink your holes before screwing.
3. Create the daybed seat. You will need:
(2) 2" x 4" (8-foot lengths) cut at 1 1/2 " x 72" (these two long pieces form the internal frame on which you’ll mount the seat boards); cut one of these pieces lengthwise on a 10-degree angle
(4) 5/8" G1S plywood squares (these will be used as spacers underneath the 1 1/2" pieces to raise them)
Take the four spacers and sit them inside the rectangle frame at the four corners. Take the long 1 1/2" pieces and glue and screw them to the front and back of the frame. Make sure your angled piece is positioned at the back.
4. Create the bottom frame supports. You will need:
(2) 2" x 6" (8-foot lengths) cut at 78 1/2"
Slide one 78 1/2" piece under the front of the daybed and one at the back. Use a piece of 5/8" plywood as a spacer to ensure there is equal overhang along the front and back. There will also be overhang on all ends – measure to ensure all are equal. Screw together.
5. Create the daybed seat. You will need:
(8) 5/4" x 6" deck boards cut at 32"; cut one end of each piece on a 10-degree angle
Take the 32" pieces and glue and screw them on top of, and perpendicular to, the 1 1/2" pieces, to form your seat. Make sure they are equal distance apart and ensure that the 10-degree angled ends face towards the back. Again, countersink all holes before screwing.
6. Create a finished edge around the backboard. Take a 5/4" x 6" Deck Board (8-foot length) and cut lengthwise into two 1 1/2" pieces. You will need:
(1) 1 1/2" width cut at 72" (this will frame the top); mitre cut a 45-degree angle on both ends
(2) 1 1/2" width cut at 20" (these will frame the sides); mitre cut a 45-degree angle on one end of each piece
Glue and screw the pieces around the plywood backboard, flush to the front, to finish the frame.
7. Drill 1" holes in the bottom frame supports for the jute rope that will be used to hang the daybed. Measure, mark, then cut out four holes: two at the back of the frame, two at the front. Use a router to round the edges.
8. Create the top and front of the armrests. You will need:
(2) 5/4" x 6" deck boards cut at 12"
(these will be the front pieces of the armrests)
; mitre cut a 45-degree angle on one end of each piece
(2) 5/4" x 6" deck boards cut at 33"
(these will be the top pieces)
; cut a 45-degree angle on one end and a 10-degree angle on the other end of each piece
Glue and screw the front pieces onto the plywood frame on both sides, flush with the bottom frame.
Take the top pieces and measure, mark and notch out a corner (approx. 1 1/2 " x 3 5/8" ), so the top piece integrates around the backboard. On the notched-out back edge, cut a 10-degree angle to fit tight with the backboard. Glue and screw the top pieces on top of the plywood sides, so that the 45-degree edge is flush with the front of the armrest.
9. Drill two holes in the top of each armrest for the jute rope to hang the daybed. Make sure the holes line up with the holes already drilled in the bottom frame supports. Measure, mark and cut out the four holes. Use a router to smooth the edges.
10. Fill all screw holes on the daybed with wood filler. Let dry and then sand.
11. Stain your daybed with your chosen BeautiTone Wood-Shield exterior stain. Let dry for 24-72 hours.
12. The daybed is now ready to hang. Position it approximately 20 inches off the floor. Attach your jute rope through the arms and bottom frame on both sides of the daybed and knot securely. Use sturdy eye bolts or S hooks to hang from the ceiling, paying careful attention to weight capacity and building structure to ensure safety.
