The promise of 72-and-sunny kind of days is motivation to make the most of your time outdoors. Even with Southern California’s recent wind and rain, spring and its continual sunshine will soon be on its way.
To get a head start on outdoor entertainment and relaxation, think about the seasonal DIY projects you want to tackle. From garden boxes to coffee tables and more, it’s fairly straightforward to create beautiful, sustainable outdoor furniture and decor. Here are several ideas for inspiration:
Garden Boxes
Though J&W Lumber stocks pre-made planter box kits, most homeowners prefer to customize their garden boxes to fulfill their growing plans.
Alaskan Yellow Cedar and redwood are popular lumber options for an industrial aesthetic with a heavy-duty functionality to house large tomato plants, sunflowers, or any other type of fruit, vegetable, or flowering plant.
Additionally, one of our lumber services is custom milling, which gives you the exact dimensions for any size job.
Picnic Tables
Building a picnic table is a DIY project more people have tackled thanks to detailed plans found online.
Whether you’re building a smaller table as a four-seater or expanding the size to fit a large group of family and friends, our lumber stores have all the outdoor building materials to set up an alfresco dining area to use when the weather gets warm.
Benches
To complement your picnic table or provide a relaxing sitting area for the backyard fire pit, one option is to use composite decking for a bench.
Decide if your bench will have a back and determine the dimensions. Then, stop by one of our lumber stores to see all the colors we have in stock.
Adirondack Chairs
As with picnic table design plans, building plans for Adirondack chairs are also easily available online. Bring in the measurements and leave with the specific lumber, screws, and any other outdoor building materials you’ll need to complete the project.
Treehouses
Treehouses bring back childhood nostalgia for many, though building one has evolved with the addition of structured roofs and intricate shutters.
Even if you don’t have a suitable tree, you can always build a backyard playhouse from the ground up, which will also create a unique play space your kids or grandkids will love.
Coffee Tables
Set up an outdoor living area with a coffee table set up next to your favorite hammock or chair. Choose from a variety of lumber materials, including the ever-popular Western Red Cedar, which provides a naturally beautiful appeal with rustic yet refined charm.
Little Free Libraries
At the front of the house, a little free library adds a charming appeal. You can get all the outdoor building materials necessary to complete the basic structure in a weekend. Then, consider the roof, door, paint color, and decorations to make it uniquely your own.
Preserve and Prettify Your Outdoor Furniture
Once you have your DIY project completed, you’ll want to ensure you keep it in good shape with a few care tips:
- Install a patio cover using metal roofing to keep the area, including any outdoor furniture, clean and dry.
- Prepare for the rainy season by using Alaskan Yellow Cedar or another softwood to build a retaining wall that’s both functional and an aesthetically pleasing addition to your yard.
- Frame your outdoor living space by adding railing or stairs to your deck, separating it from the rest of the yard and making it ideal for entertaining.
- Add an archway or freestanding pergola to your garden to transform it into a zen relaxation zone.
There are endless ways to further personalize your space with DIY outdoor furniture. Think about what your dream backyard includes. Then, stop by your local J&W Lumber store to secure what you need for it to come to fruition.