Drag to turn it. 3D model render, drawn from the plan itself; photos of the finished piece are coming soon.
Harbor Adirondack Chair
A modern take on the Adirondack chair, with square doubled legs, a deep front apron, wide flat arms and a tall four-board back that leans 20°. The seat rails set the 15° seat angle by themselves: top corner at the apron, back corner on the floor. The back is built flat on the floor and screwed from behind, so the side you lean on shows no screws. Four cut lengths, every screw checked in 3D to land in solid wood. The plan includes two versions: straight-cut rails with square ends only, or angled rails with crisp 15° ends.
- Skill
- Level 1–2
- Build time
- About 5 hours
- Size
- 34" × 33½" × 37"W × D × H
- Lumber
- 8 boards, all 8 ft
- Straight-cut railssquare cuts only
- Angled rails15° ends, no foot blocks
Each with its own 3D guide and PDF. Same boards, same screws, same shopping list.
Build-ready or your money back. If anything in the plan doesn't work as drawn, email us within 30 days for a full refund.
You buy the materials at Home Depot, not here. Cedar: from $320.
- Printable plan and interactive 3D build guide
- One-trip Home Depot shopping list
- Yours to keep. Build it as many times as you like
24 parts, only 4 lengths.
Every part gets a letter you pencil on its end. The drawings, the cut list, the cutting diagrams and the 3D guide all use the same letters, so you always know exactly which board you are holding.
- DrawingsFront, side and top views with dimensions
- Cut listEvery part by letter, board and length
- Cutting diagramsWhich part comes from which 8 ft board
- 9 stepsEach with time, check and common mistake
Try the build guide before you buy.
The first 2 of 9 steps are free. It’s exactly what you’ll follow in the garage, on your phone or laptop.
- Watch each step build itself, board by board, screw by screw.
- Spin and zoom the model with your finger or mouse.
- Tap any board to see its letter and cut size.
Try steps 1–2 freeOne list. One trip to Home Depot.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x6 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, #2 Prime | 4 |
| 2x4 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, #2 Prime | 4 |
| 2-1/2" exterior wood screws, rated for treated lumber (hidden joints and the back panel) | 42 (1 × 1 lb box) |
| 2-1/2" exterior trim-head screws, rated for treated lumber (seat slats, arm fronts) | 24 (1 × 1 lb box) |
| 5" structural wood screws (GRK RSS or SPAX) | 12 (1 × 25-pack) |
| Behr semi-transparent stain & sealer, Cedar Naturaltone | 1 qt |
- Estimated build cost
- $130–$140
- Pick #2 Prime boards and sight down each one. Take the straightest and grab one spare of each size.
- Treated pine comes wet. Stack the boards flat with scrap spacers between them, out of the sun, for 2–3 weeks before you cut. Dry boards don't shrink or twist after you build.
- Use screws labeled for treated lumber (most coated exterior screws are) and galvanized brackets.
- Sand the faces and edges smooth, then stain once the wood is dry. A cedar-tone stain gives it the honey look in the photos.
- Wear a dust mask when cutting and sanding treated wood, and never burn the scraps.
Estimates based on typical Home Depot prices; your store may vary. Same cuts and same steps in either wood.
9 steps · about 5 hours
- 1Cut the partsFree in 3D45 min
- 2Build the frontFree in 3D30 min
- 3Double up the legs20 min
- 4Add the seat rails30 min
- 5Lay the seat30 min
- 6Build the back panel30 min
- 7Set the back20 min
- 8Add the arms30 min
- 9Sand and finish45 min + drying
Good to know
What's the difference between the two versions?
Both come with the plan. Straight-cut rails keep every cut square: a small 2x4 foot block inside the back of each seat rail gives it a flat foot on the floor. Angled rails have both ends cut at 15°, so they stand plumb at the front and back with no foot blocks, closer to the designer chair. It needs a miter saw. Same boards, same screws, same shopping list.
How big is it?
34 inches wide over the arms, about 33-1/2 inches deep and 37 inches tall at the back. The seat is about 14 inches high at the front and 23 inches wide between the arms, and the arms are 24-1/2 inches high: wide enough for a drink.
Does it need cushions?
No. The slatted seat and the leaning back are made to sit on bare. Add a seat pad or a lumbar pillow if you like.
Which tools do I need?
A drill/driver, a miter saw or circular saw, a tape measure, a speed square, two clamps and a sanding block. Every joint is wood on wood with screws: no pocket holes, no glue-ups, no brackets.
Can I build it in pine to save money?
Yes. The plan comes with a second shopping list in pressure-treated pine, with the same cuts and the same steps. Pine needs a couple of weeks to dry and a coat of cedar-tone stain, but costs about a third as much as cedar.
Is it a copy of the designer chair?
No. It borrows the modern square Adirondack look, but it's an original design for 2x4s and 2x6s with joints a first-time builder can make with a drill and a saw.