12 Clever & Creative DIY Outdoor Daybed Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
There is no better way to catch some Z’s than in the oasis of your backyard with the breeze kissing your skin and the smell of blooming flowers all around you. Outdoor daybeds are a great way to unwind, whether it’s an outdoor nap you’re looking for or a quiet place to catch up on some reading. They can also be great in a social setting, where you can sit back with your glass of wine and catch up with friends in a chilled and relaxed environment.
Daybeds don’t come cheap, but there are several great DIY options to create your own unique and creative outdoor daybed. We have compiled a list of some clever and creative DIY outdoor daybeds and plans so you can build one today. Let’s have a look!
The 12 DIY Outdoor Daybeds Plans
1. Modern DIY Outdoor Daybed by This Rustic Soul
Materials: | Lumber, wood glue, screws |
Tools: | Drill, miter saw, nail gun, sander, clamps, measuring tape, pencil |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
Why spend a fortune on a daybed when you can make one yourself for a fraction of the price? All you’ll need for this project is some wood, a few skills, and some elbow grease. Once you are done with constructing, find a comfy mattress and decorate it with stylish scatter cushions.
You can display your woodworking skills on the patio, among some chairs where guests can use it as an outdoor sofa, then once the sun starts setting and the garden lights are on, enjoy your masterpiece in solitude with a catnap.
2. DIY Outdoor Daybed with Canopy by Little House On The Corner
Materials: | Timber, screws, brad nails, small hooks, cord, sandpaper, wood glue, wood filler, paint, primer |
Tools: | Drill, nailer, miter saw, paintbrush, tape measure, pencil |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
Create a tropical vacation vibe in the comfort of your own home with this DIY cabana daybed. It may seem to be a difficult DIY project, but it is actually very simple, and even inexperienced DIYers can easily complete it. Only a few materials and tools are required, and it won’t cost you a fortune, either!
Once it’s constructed, add giant comfy pillows and find some soft outdoor fabric to drape down the sides of the canopy for a calming, dreamy feel.
3. Chic DIY Outdoor Daybed by Ana-White
Materials: | Lumber, screws, pocket hole screws, wood stain |
Tools: | Drill, circular saw, sander, kreg jig, speed square, tape measure, pencil |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
You can create a backyard retreat with this Chic DIY outdoor daybed. Standard off-the-shelf lumber and basic tools are used to build this plan, so even beginners can easily pull it off. You will feel content when you enjoy this daybed under the stars or the sunset.
It is an excellent addition if you enjoy hosting dinner parties, and your friends will be blown away when you tell them that you are the creator of the daybed they are swooning at.
4. DIY Swinging Daybed by DIY Projects
Materials: | Pine boards, carriage bolts, washers, nylon nuts, eyebolts, S hooks, chain |
Tools: | Drill, saw, sander, clamps, measuring tape |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This project requires no special tools or skills but building a swinging daybed is not a quick weekend project you decide to do on a whim. However, anyone willing to put in a couple of hours each day can construct their very own DIY swinging daybed in a week! Once your project is completed, you will enjoy many comfortable hours swinging and relaxing on your patio daybed.
If you decide to go with the idea of a swinging bed, we recommend getting a professional to inspect if your roof is strong enough to carry the weight.
5. DIY Outdoor Daybed with Roof by Shanty-2-Chic
Materials: | Lumber, caps, pocket hole screws, metal angels, wood stain, wood glue |
Tools: | Kreg jig, drill, measuring tape, pencil |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This DIY outdoor daybed is big enough for the whole family to enjoy together! Something like this would usually cost a considerable amount of money, but you can build your own and save some cash. You will require some space and a bit of skill to recreate this daybed, but once it’s done, you can nap or have a cocktail by the pool in comfort and style.
6. DIY Pallet Daybed by Home Talk
Materials: | Seven pallets, screws |
Tools: | Reciprocating saw, sander, jigsaw, drill |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Perhaps a DIY outdoor daybed with canopies and curtains or an overhead cabana would not be appropriate for your backyard, then a simple pallet daybed is likely more suitable. To make this design, you’ll need at least seven pallets, three of which will be stacked, one on each side, one in the back, and one to take apart for individual pieces of wood.
If you decide to make pallet furniture, keep in mind that it will not be of the same quality as traditional furniture because pallets do not come in standard sizes or shapes. Consider washing and sanding them before you put your daybed together; it will be much easier that way.
7. DIY Door Daybed by Dana Plus David
Materials: | Old door, old bed, plywood, trim, paint |
Tools: | Saw, drill, sander, paintbrush |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
DIY projects are a great way to upcycle old furniture. This creative DIY daybed is made using an old door and an old bed. If you have done renovations in the past and have an old door that you pulled out, then that’s great! Otherwise, you can easily find one at a thrift store for a reasonable price. It will make a creative and functional headpiece for your daybed, and you can customize it to look rustic, modern, or simple.
8. DIY Outdoor Corner Daybed by True Value
Materials: | Wood, pocket hole screws, decking screws, wood stain |
Tools: | Miter saw, drill, pocket hole jig, orbital sander |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This corner daybed will be a great addition to your backyard setting or patio corner. It’s a simple and easy build for anyone with basic woodworking skills, and you could most likely have it finished within a weekend.
Once you are finished, add a suitable mattress and fill the corner with giant, soft pillows to make it more inviting and cozier.
9. DIY Outdoor Day Bed with Storage by Instructables
Materials: | Plywood, furniture feet, wood screws, wood glue |
Tools: | Circular saw, clamps, drill, sander, staple gun, nailer |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This DIY outdoor daybed is multifunctional as it provides extra storage space that is aesthetically pleasing. It can be a perfect outdoor reading nook, or you can use it to store extra cushions, blankets, outdoor candles, or even just fill it up with plants.
The dimensions for this design can easily be modified if you want to make it bigger or have a particular mattress that you want to base it on.
10. Glamorous DIY Porch Swing Bed by Modern Farm House Glam
Materials: | 2 “Nautical rope, lumber, deck screws, coupling, wood putty, wood stain |
Tools: | Compound miter saw, orbital sander, jigsaw, drill |
Difficulty Level: | Difficult |
This DIY Swing Daybed is one for the professionals, but wow, it is incredible! It is designed to fit a queen bed mattress and is pretty heavy, so those are some things to consider. It is attached to the roof using nautical rope, which just finishes it off beautifully.
Another great feature of the design is the built-in glass holes made with a hole saw so you can easily and safely rest your glass of wine on the arm of the bed while watching the sun go down.
11. DIY L-Shaped Outdoor Daybed by Remodel Aholic
Materials: | Plywood, Kreg jig pocket screws, wood screws, wood glue, wood filler |
Tools: | Table saw, miter saw, circular saw, Kreg jig, drill, clamps, tape measure |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This DIY outdoor daybed is made of plywood and includes cushion storage. It’s sturdy and comfortable, making it the ideal patio daybed. The large L-shaped design makes it perfect for the whole family to relax or entertain guests. It’s a fairly easy design, but it requires some skill, a lot of tools, and time.
12. DIY Cabana Lounge Daybed by DIY Projects
Materials: | Timber, decking screws, pocket hole screws, concrete blocks, awning fabric |
Tools: | Drill, kreg jig, clamps, speed square, measuring tape, spirit level |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
Take your DIY outdoor daybed plans to the next level with this DIY cabana lounge. If you have a backyard that accommodates this size, it will be the perfect place for some downtime. You can include small shelves to hold books or drinks and drape the roof with fairy lights for a dreamy feel.
It’s charming, inviting and simple to build, and if you are looking for a backyard retreat space, give this project a go.
Final Thoughts
An outdoor daybed is a great addition to any patio or backyard, and you can easily DIY one! Whether it’s a swing daybed from your balcony, a simple and easy pallet bed to fill the corner of your patio, or a whole cabana of bliss, there is a design for everyone.
Make sure you have the necessary tools available to make the process easier, and shop around to get the best-priced lumber to keep your project within budget. Also, consider the weather in your area, and take steps to ensure your new DIY outdoor daybed will be safe.
Featured Image Credit: triocean, Shutterstock
Contents