These modernized Adirondack plans may be my absolute favorite outdoor chair design yet. They are the latest in our outdoor seating category, and I really love the vibe they bring. They have their roots in old school classic Adirondack with the low, reclined seating position and the curved back. But they also have a more modern feel with updated armrest and backrest supports. Kind of turning the Adirondack design upside down.

Building these modernized Adirondack plans doesn’t require a whole lot of specialized tools. You only need a miter saw or circular saw, a jig saw, and a drill/driver combo. Plus, each chair only takes 5 boards. Three 8′ long pressure treated deck boards, and two 2x8s at 8′. If you make all of your cuts at the beginning of the build, the assembly should be pretty quick and easy too. This is one of those projects where building multiples simultaneously can really be a lot faster than building one at a time.

Note: These instructions are based on using standard dimensional lumber, and we try our best to make that apparent in our illustrations and directions.  If you plan to lumber from a lumber yard you may have to adjust the measurements slightly to account for the difference in actual measurements.

Materials

• 3 – 5/4 deck boards @ 8′
• 2 – 2×8 @ 8′
• 2 1/2″ exterior grade wood screws
• exterior wood glue

Tools

• Circular saw or miter saw
• Drill and driver combo
• Jig saw
• Tape measure
• Square
• Clamps
• 4′ straight edge
• Sander and sand paper
• Pencil

As we begin these modernized Adirondack plans, I highly recommend you start by going through and cutting all of your pieces. Use the cut list diagram above to understand which pieces come from which boards, and then the additional diagrams with dimensions and angles in the list of steps below for the exact measurements and layouts of all of the pieces. This is especially helpful, and time saving, if you plan on building more than one of these chairs.

Step 1: Build the leg assemblies

Let’s start the assembly of these chairs by joining the short and long leg pieces. Both of these are cut from 2×8 lumber based on the diagrams below. To ensure you get the bottoms of both legs aligned, I recommend laying the long leg on your work surface with a straight edge pressed up against the bottom. Make a mark 2 7/8″ up from the back bottom corner, and align the 22 1/2″ long side of the short leg to this mark. Ensure that the bottom of the short leg is also pressed up against your straight edge so the bottoms are aligned. Use wood glue and five 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws arranged in an X pattern to attach the short leg to the long leg.

Step 2: Attach the backrest supports

Next you’ll need to attach the two backrest supports. These were also cut from a 23″ piece of 2×8, that was then ripped in half. Create a mark in the center of each board, 1 1/2″ in from one edge. Create two more marks 1″ in from the same edge, but halfway between the center and edge end. Connect the dots to create four planes, than cut along those lines. Once cut, use wood glue and three 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws per end to attach these to the long legs.

Step 3: Add the armrest supports

The next step in these modernized Adirondack plans is to attach attach the armrest supports. These need to be 6 5/8″ up from the front edge of the long legs. Use wood glue (on both the short leg and long leg surfaces touching the supports) and four 2 1/2″ screws per side, from the inside of the short legs, to attach these in place. Then use three more 2 1/2″ wood screws to attach the support triangles to the tops of the armrest supports.

Step 4: Attach seat slats and backrest

Now onto the seats slats and backrest supports. Align the front seat slat flush to the front of the long legs, then use wood glue and three 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws per end to attach it. Leave a 1/4″ gap, then attach the second, and repeat with the third. For the back rest, the bottom edge of the backrest should extend 4″ below the bottom of the lower backrest support, which means the top end should extend about 8 1/2″ past the top backrest support. Use wood clue and three 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws per board to attach to the top backrest support, and three more per board to attach to the lower backrest support.

Step 5: Add the armrests

Finally, the last step in these modernized Adirondack plans is to attach the armrests. If you opted to include the curves, you’ll want the end of the inside of the front curve to align, or be just in front of, the top inside corner of the armrest support. Use two 2 1/2″ wood screws to screw down into the armrest support, and one more screw to screw done into the support triangle. Finally, use two 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws to attach the back of the armrest to the long legs. I prefer to do these from the inside out to hide the screws.

Step 6: Sand and Finish

At this point the build of your new modernized Adirondack chairs is complete. It’s time for a good sanding, paying particular attention to the surfaces where you’ll contact most frequently. Start with 120 grit sandpaper, and follow up with 180 grit. You can even proceed to 240 grit if you want to go for an ultra smoot finish; though since this is construction lumber you’ll most likely have grain raising when you paint, stain and seal it.

Not certain what type of finish you want to add to your new piece? Check out our series on eco-friendly wood finishes. We detail options for oils, waxes, water-based finishes, shellac, milk paint, and citrus and plant based solvents. We give you all of the details you need to make an informed choice about the right type of finish to choose for your latest project.

If you have comments or question, please feel free to connect with us via the comments section below or use our Contact Form.  We love the feedback!  Also, don’t forget to check out our other free DIY furniture plans.

Don’t forget to show off your work in our Share Your Build section. We truly appreciate it when people share their work and let us know how our plans turned out for others.

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