FindWoodPlansWoodworking Plans
Home/Outdoor

Ultimate DIY Fire Pit Chair

Build the ultimate fire pit chairs with! Designed for comfort, durability, and easy movement around the fire. No special tools or cushions required. Uses just $12 in lumber per chair. Perfect for outdoor gatherings, patios, and backyard fire pits. include step by step instructions, cut lists and shopping lists, user submitted photos and lots of details!

Ultimate DIY Fire Pit Chair

Specifications

Project typeOutdoor Seating, Lounging and Accents
RoomOutdoor
DifficultyIntermediate

Dimensions

Use the size-specific shopping and cut lists below.

Ultimate DIY Fire Pit Chair dimension diagram 1

Shopping List

Shopping List for 1 Chair

  • 2 cedar fence pickets, not dogeared, 5-1/2" wide x 6 feet long
  • 2 - 2x4x8 feet long, preferably red toned or pressure treated
  • 1 - 2x2 @ 2 feet long, preferably red toned or pressure treated
  • About 25 - 2-1/2" self tapping exterior appropriate screws
  • About 30 - 1-1/4" self tapping exterior appropriate screws
  • About 1 pint of paint/stain per chair, recommend a solid color penetrating stain suitable for fences

Shopping List for 8 Chairs

  • 16 cedar fence pickets, not dogeared, 5-1/2" wide x 6 feet long
  • 16 - 2x4x8 feet long, preferably red toned or pressure treated
  • 2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long, preferably red toned or pressure treated
  • About 200 - 2-1/2" self tapping exterior appropriate screws
  • About 240 - 1-1/4" self tapping exterior appropriate screws
  • About 1 gallon of paint/stain per chair, recommend a solid color penetrating stain suitable for fences

Cut List

Cut List for 1 Chair

  • 2 - 2x4 @ 20-3/4" - chair base front and back
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 24-1/4" one end cut at 10 degrees off square ANGLE, long point measurement - chair base sides
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 13-3/4" one end cut at 5 degrees off square BEVEL, long point measurement - front legs
  • 2 - 2x4 @ 22-1/2" one end cut at 5 degrees off square BEVEL, one end cut at 25 degrees off square BEVEL, long point to short point measurement (see step 3) - back legs
  • 1 - 2x2 @ 23-3/4" - chair frame back
  • 3 - cedar fence pickets @ 23-3/4" cut from the same board - seat slats
  • 4 - cedar fence pickets @ 17-3/4" cut from the same board - back slats

Cut List for 8 Chairs

  • 16 - 2x4 @ 20-3/4" - chair base front and back
  • 16 - 2x4 @ 24-1/4" one end cut at 10 degrees off square ANGLE, long point measurement - chair base sides
  • 16 - 2x4 @ 13-3/4" one end cut at 5 degrees off square BEVEL, long point measurement - front legs
  • 16 - 2x4 @ 22-1/2" one end cut at 5 degrees off square BEVEL, one end cut at 25 degrees off square BEVEL, long point to short point measurement (see step 3) - back legs
  • 8 - 2x2 @ 23-3/4" - chair frame back
  • 24 - cedar fence pickets @ 23-3/4" cut from the same board - seat slats
  • 32 - cedar fence pickets @ 17-3/4" cut from the same board - back slats

Tools

  • measuring tape
  • square
  • pencil
  • safety glasses
  • drill
  • compound miter saw
  • sander

Step-by-step Instructions

1

Step 1

Layout the chair base as shown, making sure the angled sides are orientated the same way (long point down) and screw together with the longer screws.

Ultimate DIY Fire Pit Chair — step 1
2

Step 2

Attach the front legs to the seat frame, double checking that the orientation of the legs matches the diagram to the orientation of the seat base. It will be easier to rotate the seat base so it is upside down when attaching the legs. Use 3 screws per leg joint and wood glue.

Ultimate DIY Fire Pit Chair — step 2
3

Attach the back legs to the seat frame with two screw per joint.

Cutting tips: The back legs were the hardest cuts to make. To reduce having to re-adjust the saw angle, it was easier to just cut all my back legs long (23-1/2" with both ends cut at 5 degrees, ends parallel, long point to short point measurement) and then go back and make the 25 degree cuts on all the precut boards. Cutting was not the time consuming part, it was readjusting the saw that took the most time.

Ultimate DIY Fire Pit Chair — step 3
4

Step 4

This step was a little challenging because the 2x2s had to be attached at an angle, so pre drilling was super helpful. Another option would be to use pocket hole screws from the insides, these would get covered by seat slats in later steps.

Ultimate DIY Fire Pit Chair — step 4
5

Step 5

For the seat boards, layout the front and back first and attach with the shorter screws. Then attach the middle board, keeping gaps even.

Ultimate DIY Fire Pit Chair — step 5
6

Step 6

Place the seat back slats in place, attaching the two outer boards first with screws into the back 2x2 and into the back seat slat. Then position the middle back slats with gaps even and attach.

Ultimate DIY Fire Pit Chair — step 6
7

Finishing

Sand all surfaces, starting with a medium grit and finishing with fine. Wipe off the dust, fill any holes or gaps with wood filler, and sand smooth once dry. Apply primer if you're painting, then finish with your choice of paint or stain and seal with a durable clear topcoat. For outdoor projects, use exterior-rated primer, paint or stain, and sealer so the piece stands up to the weather.

Source (temporary): https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/ultimate-diy-fire-pit-chair-free-plans