These DIY 2×6 deck loveseat plans are a wider version of our 2×6 modern deck chair plans, but they are stretched to have a 50″ seat to comfortably accommodate two adults or three (maybe four) kids.  These deck loveseat plans utilize simple tongue and groove and lap joint joinery, making them extremely sturdy.  Since they are constructed from 2x6s they are also extremely heavy – they won’t be blowing away in anything but hurricane force winds.  We’ll break down the construction into 3 components (the back, the sides, and the seat), making the construction fairly easy despite the different angles.

Materials

• 11 – 2x6s at 8′
• 1 – 2×4 at 8′
• Dowels or biscuits (optional)

Tools Required:

• Miter or circular saw
• Table saw with a dado blade, or a router table with a straight bit
• Chisel
• Square
• Long parallel bar clamps
• Tape measure
• Exterior Wood glue

 

Step 1: Build the back

The construction of the back in these deck loveseat plans is fairly simple and straightforward – if you have the proper tools.  Start by cutting five 2x6s to 39 15/16″ in length (or just under 40″).  Then, on each of the these 2x6s you’ll want to use your table saw (preferably with a dado blade) to cut a 1/2″ x 1/2″ tongue.  Once you have the tongues cut on all five 2x6s determine which will be at that top of your back and cut about 1″ off of each tongue so that the joinery will be hidden after assembly.

Now cut your two sides pieces to 27 1/2″ in length.  Using either your table saw with a dado blade or a router with a straight bit, cut a 1/2″ wide by 1/2″ deep groove down the center of one side of each of these pieces – but stop about 3/4″ shy of the top end.

Now you should be able to slide all of the pieces together as shown in the image below.  Once you’ve dry fit the pieces and are happy with the fit, you can move onto assembly.   You don’t really need to add dowels or biscuits to hold the horizontal 2x6s to each other, but I personally prefer using two of either in between each set of 2x6s just to help ensure the faces stay perfectly aligned over the entire span when gluing.

Use wood glue and clamps to secure the boards together.  You do not need nails or screws if you use the appropriate amount of wood glue and let it dry fully.

Step 2: Build the sides

The sides are definitely the most complex part of these deck loveseat plans due to the multiple angles needed when cutting the pieces. Remember, one side will be a mirror image of the diagrams provided below!

Start by cutting three pieces of 2×6 to 23″ in length – but with the diagonal corners cut to 15 degrees from square so the short sides are parallel but not squared to the long sides.  Then, as you did on the horizontal boards on the back, cut a 1/2″ x 1/2″ tongue on these three pieces (but just on one end of each.  In one piece on each side you’ll also need to cut a 3/4″ deep by 1 1/2″ high rabbet 13 1/2″ long from the front edge of board (the side with the tongue).  This rabbet will allow the 2×6 boards used on the seat to rest without the need for additional supports.

Now it’s time to cut the pieces for the fronts of the sides.  The front edge of this piece should measure 19 11/16″, with the bottom front corner cut 20 degrees off square (70 degree angle).  The top back corner should be cut to a 75 degree angle so the slant matches that of the horizontal boards.  You’ll need to cut a 1/2″ x 1/2″ dado down the inside long edge to accept the tongues cut in the horizontal boards – but stop a few inches shy of the bottom so that the groove isn’t exposed.  You’ll also need to cut a dado on the inside of this piece that aligns wit the top of the second board.   The easiest way to line this up is to dry fit the pieces together and then measure a straight line 3″ long from the inside edge that extends the rabbet in the top of the second board.   I prefer to use a router and chisels to cut this dado.

Once you have all of these pieces cut, go ahead and glue and clamp everything together and let it dry.

While those pieces are drying, cut your 2×4 to 30 5/16″, with a 15 degree angle cut on the front end so that the top edge is 29 29/32″ in length.  Once the sides are dry, use dowels and wood glue to attach the armrest to the top of the sides.  You could obviously use deck screws as a quicker way to attach them – but those screws would be your only exposed mechanical fasteners.

Step 3: Cut the pieces for the seat

For the seat, simply cut three 2x6s to 51 1/2″ in length, and another to 50″ in length.  On the 50″ piece, then run it through your table saw to cut a 20 degree bevel on one edge.

There doesn’t need to be any joinery done to the seat at this time unless you want to use biscuits or dowels to join the boards together.

Step 4: Assemble the components

Now that you have all of your components assembled, it’s time to do some dry fitting and assembly.  Assembly the three main boards of the seat is pretty straight forward – they just rest in the grooves of the sides.  However to hold the front edge to length you’re going to want to securely fastener the front board of the seat (the one cut to 50″ with the 20 degree bevel). The front edge of the front seat board should align to the front of the legs, with the top aligned to the tops of the seat boards themselves.  I prefer to use dowels and wood glue to hold the front seat board in place, but you alternatively use pocket hole screws if you prefer.

You’ll also need to determine the angle at which you want to attach the back.  A comfortable resting position is about 110 degrees, so that’s a good starting point – but you can obviously customize yours as you wish. To actually attach the backrest, I like to again use dowels (I recommend using at least four 3/4″ dowels for the strength).  Though you could use pocket hole screws from the back – use at least three per each side if you choose this route.  You could also add a 2×2 support piece aligned with the back to help attach and support it to the sides if you want extra support.

 

Now its time to sanding and staining or painting.

We hope you find these deck loveseat plans useful. As always, if you have questions or thoughts feel free to drop them in the comments below, or send us a note via our contact page. And don’t forget to check out our other free DIY furniture plans.

 

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