How to Make a Picnic Table

A farmhouse-style picnic table is an easy DIY project. Learn how to make one for your backyard in this Build.com video:

For this project, you will need a drill, hammer, outdoor deck screws, finishing nails, wood glue and a power saw or miter saw. Get the complete project plan, including the pattern, shopping list, cut list and detailed instructions here.

If you plan on painting your table, it’s a good idea to prime the wood first to make painting a lot easier.

Once you’ve collected your wood, make all of your cuts first following the project plan. When you’ve finished, assemble the table legs first. For the table featured in this video, a special drill bit was used to make the pocket holes. Use a combination of glue, screws and finishing nails to secure the pieces together.

Once the legs are assembled, attach the crossbeam. When done, you’re ready to attach the table top. Make sure everything is lined up and square before you start securing the planks to the legs. Finally, add braces to the bottom of the table for stability.

Fill the screw holes before painting for a more streamlined look. If you’re going to be staining the wood instead, you can leave the holes as a design feature.

Follow the same steps for the bench assembly. The bench legs have a similar design to the table legs, so repeating the construction process is easy.

If you’re going to be painting your table, make sure you use an outdoor epoxy-based paint for maximum protection. You can use a combination of spray paint and roll-on paint.