Hand-Built Outdoor Furniture: 20 Step-by-Step Projects Anyone Can Build

by Katie Jackson, Ellen Blackmar (Photographer)

Selected as a Gardens Illustrated  Recommended Read

Hand-Built Outdoor Furniture covers twenty step-by-step, fully illustrated projects with hundreds of clear and easy-to-follow photographs. Finished pieces include simple items include a trellis, a flower box, and a plant stand and more complicated projects include a chaise lounge, a sectional with built-in storage, and a slat bench. Katie Jackson's projects are simple, clean, and timeless and work well within a wide variety of styles. Hand-Built Outdoor Furniture is the perfect primer for people new to woodworking, DIYers, and homeowners looking for a simple and affordable to decorate their space.

Genres: Nonfiction, Woodwork

264 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2016

Reviews

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Hand-Built Outdoor Furniture lives up to its subtitle - these are projects anyone can make using only a few inexpensive tools. The book is beautifully laid out and very easy to follow. Photographs of the finished projects, steps, and tools/techniques make it a friendly and frustration-fee experience. The book isn't intended to create works of art; the pieces are basic but functional and made from materials found at all hardware stores (a mitre saw and cordless drill are the core tools). More importantly, the projects upon each other in difficulty and skills so that by the end project, readers will be comfortable with foundational woodworking techniques.

The book breaks down as follows: Part 1 thoroughly discusses the basics of woodworking tools and machines as well as construction techniques. Part 2 gives step by step directions for each project. The projects include: shaker pegboard shelves, garden swing, trellis, plant shelf, stair box planter, two board bench, flower box, bird house, nautical themed end table, potting bench, rolling coffee table, sectional furniture with storage/lounger, slat bench, bistro table, torchiere, international orange chair, sectional furniture with storage: chair, chaise longue, sectional furniture with storage: ottoman, and an obelisk.

As noted earlier, the projects are organized by difficulty. After the first 3-4 items are built, readers can then cherry pick through the rest of the book, with an idea of the difficulty depending on how far into the later projects they go. Although instructions for a wide range of woodworking machines are given, the emphasis is not on huge machine investments.

There are some very lovely projects in the book. The slat bench and storage ottomans are particularly nice. But likely many will start with the various planters or shelves. An emphasis on counterboring and plugging screw holes is utilized for all the projects - this ensures a better looking end product.

Author Jackson is a woodworking instructor and provides a friendly and uncomplicated tone throughout the book. Because the book is so beautifully laid out and photographed, there is little in the way of confusion or frustration to keep projects from being completed. And since there aren't many tools required, this is definitely a book that absolute beginners with no tools or experience can feel confident about attempting. As well, the projects all allow for the reader's own aesthetics in the choice of color, design elements, or embellishments.

This is definitely a wonderful book to help someone begin to learn a new skill or hobby. A small yard, garage, or even balcony are all that's needed to complete most of these items. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made building furniture sound doable, so it must be good, right? Not sure if I’ll attempt anything you would actually sit on, but trellises and obelisks are in my reach, I think.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

I would consider myself a total novice at building anything. This book is a great confidence builder. Katie has provided such in depth information on what kind of tools to have, how to use them, and also basic information about selecting lumber that anyone can feel confident about beginning the projects. I also like the projects in the beginning develop your skill but are also projects that you would want to have at your house. You can always use a trellis or planter. I don't know if I'll ever need to make a chair or table but I feel that after going through the projects leading up to them I would totally be able to.

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice selection of basic outdoor furniture and accessories for any beginner. The author has had extensive experience teaching woodworking to kids, and it shows. The step-by-step directions are nibble-size and usually accompanied with a photo. The pieces themselves are very simple and stripped down but, if you wanted, you could embellish them up to personalize them. This is a good place to start if you're new to woodworking.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5- very detailed book for beginner woodworkers. The first bit goes through tools and how to use them, complete with handy photos, however some of the terminology went a little over my head. Most of it I got though. The second half are the projects. I'm pretty confident I could make those projects if I had the tools. There were only two or three I'd actually want to make... Potting bench, bistro table, and maybe the orange chair.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven't built much but this looks very helpful with step by step instructions and photos.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginners book with tons of helpful pictures!

[Anna]

Some very nice expository material! The plans themselves aren’t the easiest, but I could probably manage if I bought or borrowed a jigsaw and some countersink bits.

[Deborah Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book, and it has super cute projects. However, they are beyond my capability. My handy hubby intends to make me some chairs, but the ideas do require better tool skills.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A straightforward book about building basic outdoor furniture including the obligatory birdhouse. I like the author's approach of avoiding the table saw, it's a dangerous tool for beginners. The rest of the recommended tools except the circular saw are fairly safe. Emphasis is on power tools without going much into the handtool alternatives. The sectional furniture and the international orange chair(see cover) are nice designs though the chair may not stand up to furniture monsters, those who fall onto furniture from a standing position at all angles.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat ideas for some outdoor furniture.