Outdoor Convertible Coffee Table and Bench

A convertible coffee table that doubles as a bench? I can't believe what I'm seeing.

A outdoor convertible table isn't something you see often, so this DIY convertible coffee table caught my attention right away. For all who haven't heard there is an Instagram Builders Challenge hosted on Instagram every so often called the IG Builders challenge.

I participated in it last year and it was super fun. Check out my post here to read about my IG entry in last years challenge.

So what exactly is the IG Builders challenge? There is one plan that is released on a particular date and whoever wants to participate has 3 weeks to complete the build. Modifications and creativity is highly encouraged so long as you can tell that the build was created from the original plan. This year the plan was created by Ana White and she was one of the main judges as well. Here is the plan for  the IGBC3 challenge.

There were some amazing builds that were presented and today I will be sharing the building plans for one of my favorite builds by Shawn (@industrial_vibe). It was no surprise that his build received 2nd runner up in the challenge. That's pretty good being that there were over 130 other builds!

Shawn made his outdoor convertible coffee table bench so that it could be converted into a coffee table!. Now isn't that neat? Thanks to his cool design and my 3D plan magic. You can now build it too.

(There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure)

Dimensions:

Materials List:

8 - 2x4s @ 8ft

1 - 2x2s @ 8ft

Step 1: Attach the top middle 2x4 brace (41") and the bottom middle 2x2 (41") brace to the side 2x4s (16 1/2") using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with  2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue. There should be a 3/4" spacing at the top of the seat back. 

Step 2: Assemble the side arms by attaching the top side 2x4 brace (16 1/2") and the front side 2x4 (5 1/2") brace together using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue. Repeat this step to create two side arms.

Step 3: Attach the bottom side 2x4 brace (15") to finish the side arm  using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue. Repeat this step for both side arms.

Step 4: Attach the two side arms to the top bench back support using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue.

Step 5: Attach the two 1x8 (48") bench seat supports to the top bench using wood screws/brad nails and wood glue. The 1x6 boards will be flush with the outside of the bench.

Step 6: Attach the middle 1x3 (48") bench seat support to the top bench using wood screws/brad nails and wood glue. There should be a spacing of 1/4 of an inch in between boards.

Step 7: Assemble bottom half of the bench by attaching the top middle 2x4 brace (41") and the bottom middle 2x4 (41") brace to the side 2x4s (16 1/2") using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue.The bottom 2x4 should be placed faced down instead of right side up for the bottom bench half. The top should be inset by 3/4" like the top bench.

Step 8 : Assemble the side arms for the bottom half of the bench by attaching the top side 2x4 brace (15") and the front side 2x4 (15") brace to the (17 1/4") 2x4 using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue. Repeat this step to create two side arms.

Step 9: Attach the two side arms to the bottom bench back support using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue.

Step 10: Attach the (41") 2x4 to the existing bottom bench using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue.The 41" 2x4 should be inset 1 1/2" from the outside of the bench.

Step 11: Attach the (9 1/2") 2x4 braces to the existing bottom bench using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue.

Step 12: Attach the (48") 1x8 boards to the bottom bench using wood screws and wood glue.

Step 13: Attach the (48") 1x3 board2 to the bottom bench using wood screws and wood glue. There should be a 1/4" spacing in between boards.

 Step 14: HERE IS MY SPECIAL CHALLENGE!

Use your creativity to create your own design for the backs of your convertible bench! You've got this!

Step 15: Add hardware to combine top and bottom bench together

Lets check out Shawn's Convertible Coffee Table and Bench one last time!