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How to Build a 2×4 Outdoor Bar Table

This DIY 2×4 outdoor bar table is a versatile outdoor table that can be used as a bar, dining table, and even a workstation. It only takes a few hours to build.

How to build an outdoor bar table with 2x4s.

I have been talking about wanting to build an outdoor table all summer. I’m super excited that we have finally built one!

What can I build with 2x4s?

This month’s At Home DIY Challenge: What Can I Build with 2x4s?

I’m participating in a year long DIY challenge with fabulous DIY bloggers. Every month we have a new challenge. Last month’s challenge was 2-Hour DIY projects, my project was how to build a wood window cornice. At the bottom of this post you’ll find a bunch of 2×4 projects.

Which is the perfect challenge to finally build the outdoor table I have been dreaming to have.

I have been drooling over two of Ana White’s outdoor tables. I love the height of this outdoor table and loved that the outdoor coffee table she built was made of 2x4s.

We decided to use the combination of both tables to make the perfect outdoor bar table for us.

It would be perfect for us because we have been wanting a versatile outdoor table.

We want our outdoor table to function as an outdoor dining table but also as an outdoor workstation.

The table would be moved from our patio to our back porch depending on what we are using it for.

The size of the table is also important. We want the table big enough for all 4 of us to sit together and also big enough for us to be able to have extra seating in case we have guests. We also want the table to fit on our back porch.

We played around with the dimensions of the outdoor bar table until it was perfect for our use. Keep in mind that it was going to be built with 2x4s.

This post also contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

How to Build a 2×4 Outdoor Bar Table

Supplies:

  • 10x 2×4 8 feet long
  • Decking screws 2.5″ and 3″

Tools:

Cut list:

  • 4x 34.5″
  • 5x 20.5″
  • 2x 23.5″
  • 8x 59″

Instructions:

Step 1: We started off by putting aside the nicest pieces for the tabletop.

2x4s treated lumber

Step 2: Based on the cut list, we used a measuring tape and a square to mark where to cut the boards.

Measure and mark lumber where to cut
Use a square to make a straight line.

Step 3: We proceeded to the miter saw and cut the wood boards.

Cut lumber with a miter saw.
2x4s to build an outdoor bar table.

Step 4: Using the Kreg Jig we made 2 pocket holes on each end of the 3 pieces of 20.5″ that will be used for the table frame.

We could have made all the pocket holes for all the boards at once, but we decided to go according to how we were going to assemble the table.

Use a Kreg Jig to make pocket holes.
Board with 4 pocket holes.

Step 5: We placed 2 of the 20.5″ pieces on sawhorses and on each side we put a 59” board.

We placed bar clamps to keep everything together.

We measured each corner diagonally, making sure the measurements were the same. This makes sure the table is square.

We assembled the base of the outdoor table by drilling decking screws inside the pocket holes.

Measure frame diagonally to make sure it's square.
Measure frame diagonally to make sure it's square.
Attach the pieces together with decking screws.

Step 6: We measured the center on the two 59″ boards and marked them with a pencil.

We placed the last 20.5″ in the middle making sure the pencil marks were in the centered on each end of the board.

We secured the board with a big F clamp.

Once again, we did this by drilling decking screws inside the pocket holes. Set the frame aside.

Measure the sides to find the center of the frame.
Measure the sides to find the center of the frame.
Add a board in the center of the frame.
Add screws in the pocket holes to attach the center board to the frame.
Tabletop frame

Step 7: We put a piece of 20.5″ flat on the sawhorse. (We call that piece an apron.)

We placed one 34.5″ piece on each side of the apron.

We removed the 20.5″ piece (apron) and made 2 pocket holes on each end using the Kreg Jig.

How to make legs for a table.
Make pocket holes to attach legs.

Step 8: Using a bar clamp, we fastened the apron and the two legs together. We then drilled the pieces together by inserting deck screws inside the 4 pocket holes.

Assembling legs to a table.
Attach board to side to create legs for the table.

Step 9: We repeated Step 7 and 8 to make the other end of the table.

DIY table legs for the outdoor bar table.

Step 10: We placed the table frame onto the sawhorse.

With the help of our sawhorses and clamps, we attached the legs to the table frame.

We inserted 8x 3″ deck screws in each end (inside).

Use sawhorses and clamps to attach the legs to the table frame.
Attaching legs to the table frame.
Add decking screws to attach the legs to the table frame.
Decking screws to attach the legs to the table frame.

Step 11: We removed the table base from the sawhorses and placed it directly onto the ground.

DIY table base.

Step 12: We placed the remaining 6 59″ boards on to the middle of the table base. We left a ½″ space between the boards.

The first and last board were flush on the edge of the table base.

Then we placed the two 23.5″ boards across each end of the table base.

Placing the boards over the table base to create the tabletop.
Measuring the spacing between the boards.
How to make a tabletop for an outdoor table.
Making a tabletop for an outdoor bar table.

Step 13: We pre-drilled 2 holes on each end of the boards. Then we drilled 3″ deck screws into the holes.

Pre-drill holes before adding screws.
Drill holes before adding screws.
Insert screws into the holes.
Tabletop with decking screws.

Step 14: To fasten the tabletop even more to the table base, we drilled holes in the center of the six 59″ boards and fastened them with 3″ screws into the center board that’s underneath the center of the table base.

To make sure the screws were in a straight line, we used a square and a wood punch to punch holes.

Place square centered over center board.
Make punch holes in the wood to mark where to insert screws. Using a square will make sure the line is straight.
Straight line of punch holes.
Drill into punch holes.
Add screws into the holes to fasten the tabletop into the center board underneath the frame.
Straight line of screws.

And then we had a beautiful outdoor bar table that measures 66″ long x 36″ high x 23.5″ wide.

DIY OUTDOOR BAR TABLE

DIY Outdoor Bar Table with 2x4s.
Outdoor table built with 2x4s.

It looks absolutely wonderful on our back porch too:

How to build an outdoor table with 2x4s.
DIY 2x4 outdoor table.

It fits perfectly between the posts and can easily be pulled out if we want to add more seating around it.

We still need to buy stools or build some. We can fit 8 bar stools around the table. It’s perfect for us!

We built outdoor bar stools for around $12.50 each to go with the table!

How to build an Outdoor Bar Table with 2x4s

How to build an outdoor bar table with 2x4s.

I really hope you have enjoyed my 2×4 DIY project!

Have you have built anything with 2x4s? I’d love to hear about it.

Have a fabulous day!

Christine

Logan

Monday 30th of November 2020

Perfect! My first wood working project! This is exactly what I was looking for. Can you tell me how to break down/cut the 8ft lumber? Ex what should get cut after the 8 59”? Thank u!!! And can this be done just by screwing in sides vs Kreg jig?

Margie Ramos

Thursday 25th of June 2020

Hi , can I still build this without the kreg jig ? If I need to buy one , which one ?

Thank you

Dwain Moore

Sunday 21st of June 2020

Did you use pressure treated lumber?

Ezekiel Kindle

Wednesday 3rd of June 2020

Hey! How tall exactly is this table? If I read that correctly, the table top is only about 3 feet off the ground, is that right?

(Love this btw)

Christine @ theDIYdreamer

Monday 8th of June 2020

So happy you love it! Yes, it's 3 feet tall. :)

Robin

Friday 8th of May 2020

Hello ! Great Table, I am just a little bit confused by the dimensions..

You said that the table is 23.5″ wide, but on the top you have 6 x 4" with .5" spacing between each of them which makes a total of 26.5". Am I missing something ?

Thanks

Christine

Friday 8th of May 2020

Hi! Great question! It is in fact 23.5″ inches wide because 2x4s are actually 3.5″ inches wide. Hope this helps! :)

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