D.I.Y. outdoor daybed

D.I.Y. outdoor daybed

Peter, Team member
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Project Overview

There’s no better place to get away from it all than your backyard. This outdoor daybed will help you to relax and unwind and also makes a great design feature. With just a few tool and materials, you can build one yourself and then use it to put your feet up when you’re done.

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Man spraying timber floor
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Belt sander tip

Belt sanders are powerful, effective machines. If you have never used one before, it’s a good idea to practice on an out of the way section of floor first. That way, you will have a feel for how the sander works before you get to the more visible areas.

Step by Step Instructions

1 Have your timber pre-cut
2 Build one end of your daybed
3 Measure, mark and drill the first horizontal piece
4 Drill the first horizontal piece
5 Insert the other vertical timber pieces
6 Secure the horizontal timber
7 Secure the second horizontal timber
8 Secure the centre horizontal timber
9 Make the end square
10 Build the second end
11 Put the daybed together
12 Finish the daybed

  • Step 1. Have your timber pre-cut

    To make building your outdoor daybed even easier, work out the length and width you want it to be and have the timber pre-cut at your local Bunnings. In this instance, we’ve used 10 x 125mm x 75mm x 625mm cypress post for the vertical timber, 6 x 125mm x 75mm x 750mm cypress posts for the horizontal timber, and 4 x 90mm x 90mm x 2.4m Merbau posts.

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    tools build diy outdoor daybed

  • Step 2. Build one end of your daybed

    Lay out the timber first to make it easier to understand how the end of your daybed will fit together. Also, work on the ground to make the assembly process easier. Start with two vertical cypress posts (125mm x 75mm x 625mm) and lay two horizontal cypress posts (125mm x 75mm x 750mm) onto them in a square shape, making sure they line up evenly.

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    building end daybed

  • Step 3. Measure, mark and drill the first horizontal piece

    Measure and mark the ends of the first piece of horizontal timber so that you can secure it to the vertical pieces. Use a cordless drill to make the holes and countersink these so that the screws are hidden. 

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    measuring wood carpentry

  • Step 4. Drill the first horizontal piece

    Drill one end of the first horizontal piece into place over the two vertical pieces. Then repeat this process for the other end until it’s firmly in place.

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    drilling hole wood frame

  • Step 5. Insert the other vertical timber pieces

    Lay the other three lengths of 625mm vertical timber beneath the fixed horizontal piece, between the other two. These will be the vertical posts at the end of your daybed. Use the 90mm spacers to ensure these verticals are evenly spaced apart. 

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    man fitting wood timber joints

  • Step 6. Secure the horizontal timber

    With the spacers in place, make sure the first piece of horizontal timber is flush with the end of the vertical timber. Pre-drill holes into the 750mm horizontal piece over the ends of the 625mm verticals and then screw together to secure.

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    man security timber wood

  • Step 7. Secure the second horizontal timber

    Using the 90mm spacers, position the second 750mm horizontal at the other end of the verticals, making sure its flush with each end. Mark and drill pilot holes into the horizontal piece over each vertical and counter sink them. Then use your drill to screw that horizontal securely in place.

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    man security timber

  • Step 8. Secure the centre horizontal timber

    The central horizontal timber is the load bearer for the daybed. Use the spacer to make sure it’s the same height (90mm) as the slats of wood you will use to sit on. Pre-drill the holes and countersink them. Then use the drill and screws to attach your timber securely to each piece of vertical timber.

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    man drilling timber frame wood

  • Step 9. Make the end square

    Use a square to make sure that the end is square. If it’s not, use a hammer to tap it into place. Pre-drill a hole. Countersink it and then use the drill to secure a second screw into each of the three pieces of horizontal timber.  

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    drilling wood end square

  • Step 10. Build the second end

    To build the second end, just follow steps 2–9. Make sure you use the spacers so that it’s identical to the first end that you have built. Use sandpaper to smooth both ends of the daybed.

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    two ends wood timber

  • Step 11. Put the daybed together

    You’ll need someone to help you with this step. Stand one of the ends up and slide the Merbau posts into the 90mm gap (between the top and second horizontal). Have someone stand the other end up and insert the opposite ends of the posts into that as well, until the daybed is complete. Make sure all the Merbau ends are flush with the stand ends.

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    assembling diy outdoor day bed

  • Step 12. Finish the daybed

    You can paint or stain your daybed depending on the look you want. Add some cushions, find a good book or magazine and your daybed is ready to go.
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    diy outdoor daybed

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Batten screw bit
  • Counter sinker
  • Drill
  • Drill bits
  • Earmuffs
  • Ear plugs
  • Leather work gloves
  • Safety glasses with shields
  • Roofing square

Materials

  • 125mm x 75mm x 625mm cypress posts x 10
  • 125mm x 75mm x 750mm cypress posts x 6
  • 90mm x 90mm x 2.4m Merbau posts x 4
  • 90mm spacer off cuts x 4
  • 125mm timber batten screws
  • Paint or stain
  • Sandpaper

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