How to Make A Patio Chair Out of PVC – A DIY Tutorial

Are you crafty and ever thought about making your own patio furniture? Do you need patio chairs by the pool that are lightweight and can withstand the elements? We’ll show you how you can solve both of those problems by making your own DIY patio furniture starting with a DIY patio chair with PVC. We will go over each step you need to complete from tools and materials to finishing touches. 

1. (8) 1” 90 degree elbows
2. (6) 1” Tees
3. 1” PVC pipe (21.7’ or 260”), cut into the following lengths:
        •  (4) 5” long pieces of pipe
        •  (2) 8” Long pieces of pipe
        •  (2) 9” long pieces of pipe
        •  (2) 12” Long pieces of pipe
        •  (4) 23” Long pieces of pipe
        •  (3) 30” Long pieces of pipe
4. Fabric (ripstop nylon/heavy-duty canvas – 2 pieces (Adjust lengths based on tension desired.)
        •  (1) 27” wide by 48” long
        •  (1) 27” wide by 16” long
5. Cutting Tool for cutting PVC pipe to desired lengths
6. Solvent Cement & Primer for a permanent connection (if desired)
7. Rubber Mallet/Hammer (for secure but temporary builds)
8. Tape measure
9. Sewing Machine

Step 1: Measure and Cut PVC Pipe (found here). Using a tape measure and marker, measure out four 5” long pieces of pipe, two 8” long pieces of pipe, two 9” long pieces of pipe, two 12” long pieces of pipe, four 23” long pieces of pipe, and three 30” long pieces of pipe.

Step 2: Build the base of the PVC Chair. The next step in building the PVC DIY Patio Chair is to construct the base of the chair. Take two of the 23” lengths of PVC pipe and attach elbows to each end. Next, insert one 9” length of pipe into one elbow on each 23” inch length of pipe. Either end is fine, but make sure that you choose the same end on each 23” length; this will become the back of the chair. Attach a PVC Tee to each 9” length so that the middle socket on each Tee is facing each other. Finally use a 30” length of PVC pipe to connect the two sides of the frame via the Tees.

Step 3: Build the Back of the Chair. Insert one 8” piece of PVC pipe into the upward-facing socket of each tee. On top of each 8” length, add a PVC Tee making sure the center socket on each tee is facing towards the open elbows on the base. Insert one 5” length of PVC into the top of each tee and top of each 5” length with a 90 degree elbow, with the open socket of each elbow facing each other.

Step 4: Build the Front of the PVC Patio Chair. Take two 12” lengths of pipe and insert one into each open elbow at the base of the frame. Top the 12” lengths with a PVC Tee so the open middle sockets are facing each other. Now take two 5” pieces and insert one into each of the open top ends of the Tees. Top the two 5” lengths with a 90 degree elbow so that the open socket faces the back of the chair (the open socket of the back tee). Finally, take two of the 23” lengths and connect the front elbows and the back tees by inserting the 23” pipe in the open socket on the back Tee then open socket on the front elbow.

Step 5: Cut & Sew the Fabric. Next, measure out a 27” x 48” piece of fabric/nylon, cut it off of the roll. Roll back 5-6” worth of fabric on each end of the 27” long side, now sew or glue the fabric to the backside the fabric making a loop on each end. The loops will act as holders to keep the fabric in place. On the second set of fabric (27” wide by 16” long), roll back 4-5” worth of fabric and sew it to the backside. This will create a loop with about 11” length of flat fabric.

Now, layout the 48” length of fabric with the back facing upward. About 20” from the bottom, sew the loop from the 11” length of fabric to the back side of the 48” piece of fabric. You should now have one long piece of canvas that has three loops (two on the top and bottom and one on the back).

Step 6: Add Fabric to the PVC Chair. On the front of the DIY PVC Patio Chair, slide a 30” length of pipe through the bottom loop of the fabric, insert the pipe into the open sockets of the tees on the front of the chair. At the top back of the PVC chair, take another 30” length of PVC and slide it through the top loop of the fabric. Insert the PVC into each open socket of elbows.

Your chair will look complete, but we will connect the 3^rd loop (in the middle of the long piece of fabric) to add tension to the fabric to make the chair feel more comfortable. On the last 30” length of pipe, remove from one side a tee socket. Next, slide the pipe through the fabric loop and insert the pipe back into the socket. Your chair will now be comfortable to sit in. Just a few more finishing touches are needed to complete the chair.

Step 7: Finish It Off. Now that your DIY patio chair with PVC is assembled, add some finishing touches. You can adjust the tension of fabric by folding more or less fabric around the loops. If you want to make a more permanent chair you can re-do the steps using solvent cement. If you want to secure the pieces without cement, use a rubber mallet to ensure the pipe and fittings are snug.

Never run out of seating on the patio again, make as many PVC Patio Chairs as you need! Change up the fabric on each one for a unique look or use the same fabric for a classic uniform style. Don’t want to use white or black PVC? Choose from a range of colorful PVC furniture pipe and fittings. Get started on your DIY patio furniture today with this simple patio chair. And if you have kids and they want a special chair of their own, make this Kid’s PVC chair!