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Last Updated on October 8, 2021
There’s nothing quite like going for a picnic. It’s a great way to get all your family and friends together, and of course, the kids love it too. So why not make your own table for the backyard to use for picnics and barbecues whenever you like? If you’re not into hosting or don’t have a backyard, consider building a portable picnic table instead for enjoying local parks or using it on camping trips.
There’s a wide array of ideas and inspiration online for unique picnic table builds. Whether you want a table to suit your kids, fancy trying some upcycling, or want to attempt something a bit more high-end, there is a design out there for you.
DIY Herringbone Picnic Table
This beautiful table is sure to impress friends and family alike. With stunning X-legs and a chevron-style top, this is a serious upgrade to the traditional picnic table design. You can add your own outdoor chairs or make some benches to match. Either option will bring a touch of class to your outdoor dining experience.
While it’s not the simplest of DIYs, you can learn some excellent woodworking skills making this picnic table that you can apply to your future carpentry projects. This detailed guide shows you exactly how to cut your wood, including exact sizes and dimensions to create the eye-catching herringbone design.
Convertible Benches and Picnic Table
This picnic table is a functional design, offering you a 2-in-1 seating area and dining table. It’s perfect for enjoying a delicious meal with your family and then converting into two separate benches for a few drinks and chat afterward. It takes mere seconds to change from one function to the other. To make the transition, simply open up the middle of the picnic table and pull the two pieces apart, then lower them down onto each bench, forming the backrest.
You’ll need a few specialist pieces of equipment for this one, but luckily they won’t break the bank. It requires a drill, a pocket hole jig, and a compound miter saw. So if you fancy putting your DIY skills to the test, this is the picnic table build to try.
Octagonal Picnic Table
This octagonal picnic table makes a refreshing change from the usual rectangular design and comfortably seats a large family. At its widest, it is 8’ in diameter, and the tabletop measures a hefty 64” wide, so you’ll need plenty of room in your backyard if you plan on attempting this DIY.
Keep in mind that the finished product will be heavy, so if you want a table that you can easily pick up and move about, this isn’t the one for you. However, you don’t need many tools for this build, so you can avoid running to the hardware store for a load of new equipment.
Kids Picnic Table
Here’s a great one for the kids. A perfectly proportioned picnic table for the little ones can also double up as an excellent place for them to get their art supplies out. This table is compact and light, making it possible for a single adult to pick it up and move it around.
It has rounded ends to make it safer for kids, so you don’t have to worry about any minor bumps and bruises. You can use your imagination with this build and paint it whatever color your kids love. Brighten up your backyard in the summer and provide a fun, creative space for the kids at the same time.
Reclaimed Wood Picnic Table With Ice Trough/Planter
This picnic table is not only eco-friendly and stylish, but it also serves multiple purposes. The various hues of brown from reclaimed wood give it a unique handmade look, while you can use the trough in the middle in two different ways.
If you’re the green-fingered type, try filling the trough with some soil and colorful plants to create a focal point in your outdoor entertaining space. You could even plant some herbs so people can add them directly to their food. Alternatively, instead of worrying about how to keep your drinks cool at your next barbecue, fill the trough with ice. Then you have a great ice bucket right in the middle of your table where it’s easily accessible.
The other great thing about this particular picnic table is that it’s a flat-pack design so that you can disassemble and reassemble quickly.
Pallet Wood Picnic Table For Kids
This is another great one for the kids, but this time you’ll use recycled materials. Pallets, to be exact. Not only does this give the table a unique charm, but it’s super affordable. This table’s design looks just like your classic full-size picnic table, so the kids will feel like they’re part of the action.
You only need one pallet for the table and two pressure-treated boards to make the legs. Grab some wood screws and finish off with a water sealer, paint, or your stain of choice, and you’re ready to go. You can even put a hole for a small parasol in the middle of the table for some sun protection.
Industrial Style Picnic Table
This elegant and modern industrial picnic table is on-trend and surprisingly easy to put together. The plans for this build cover everything you’ll need from materials, a comprehensive list of tools required, assembly directions, and the final dimensions.
Remember that you will need to do some welding because of the steel element involved in this table. If you need to, you can get an expert to help create the basic frame and then do the rest yourself. The great thing about this table is that the benches are attached, making it look seamless and professional. The final result is so impressive that your friends and family will think it’s store-bought.
Mini Picnic Tables
If you’re looking for something a bit different and fun, this is the DIY picnic table build to try. One for beginners, these mini picnic tables are an almost hassle-free project that will look great in your backyard. You can use your artistic flair when it comes to decoration and paint colors, and you only need a few pieces of hobby wood to make them.
You can easily make a few of these mini tables in different designs and use them to hold drinks and appetizers at your next party. You can also put them in the back of your car and take them with you as portable picnic tables.
Camping Friendly Fold-Up Picnic Table
If you’re looking for portable picnic tables, this build is another one that is easy to move around and use in different locations. It has a different design to the classic picnic table. It sits low to the ground with a tripod base, making it an ideal spot for the kids to sit and eat lunch while doubling up as a portable camping table.
You just need a 1-meter square sheet of plywood for the tabletop, some strong webbing for underneath, and a few other essential tools and supplies to make this table.
Rainbow Kids Picnic Table
If you need to bring some color into your backyard and make something that your kids will love, then look no further than this rainbow picnic table. This particular project is more of a renovation, and it demonstrates how you can transform an old picnic table into something fun and fresh.
So if you’ve got an old picnic table lying around that could do with some sprucing up, this is a great guide that explains all the steps to fix, prepare, paint and varnish a run-down picnic table to give it a new lease of life.
Upcycled Picnic Table
When it comes to upcycled picnic table designs, it doesn’t get more original than this one. This guide proves that you don’t need to spend a lot of money or go out and purchase a load of brand new tools and supplies to build a dynamic picnic table for your backyard.
The top of the table is made from an old door, and there is even a board game built into it. This excellent multi-purpose design means the kids can play happily while you’re eating next to them. Not only that, but it’s also a lightweight model so that you can move it around easily.
12 Person Picnic Table
At number 12, is the 12 person picnic table. If you’ve got the space for it, and you need something to accommodate many people, then this large picnic table build is a fantastic option for you. Traditional picnic tables usually only fit 4 or sometimes 6 people. Instead of putting 2 tables together when you’ve got many guests, why not try this DIY 12 person table build?
The finished product is impressive to look at, with a solid construction that will last for years to come. The table is a full 9’ long, and the guide even comes with further instructions on making some gorgeous benches to go with it. While it’s a hefty project, the final results are worth it.
Barn Door Picnic Table
This barn door picnic table has a beautiful rustic feel to it and is surprisingly easy to make. If you have something like an old door lying around or can get a hold of one, it makes sense to bring it back to life rather than purchase large pieces of wood, which can get expensive.
The instructions for this build run down every single thing you need to know about making the table properly, plus there are plenty of images throughout so you know what your project should look like at all stages of construction.
Weatherproof Picnic Table
This table is probably what instantly comes to mind when you think of a picnic table. It is a classic design that never goes out of style, and this particular project shows you how to make yours weatherproof so it will stand the test of time.
If you don’t want a full-on from-scratch build, but you still want to add your personal touches to your table, this is a perfect fit. You can find this style of picnic table easily, and you can even pick up a pre-made, build-it-yourself version. It only takes 30 minutes to assemble fully, so it’s perfect for those who don’t have time for lengthy DIY projects.
You can pick out a stain that matches your outdoor decor and even dress the table to suit your personal taste.
Suitcase Picnic Table
This picnic table is anything but a classic design, but if you’re a fan of quirky furniture pieces, then you’ll love it. Not only is it incredibly eye-catching and unique, but it also contains an in-built speaker system so you can listen to music while you dine.
You’ll need to pick up some locking leg braces along with the suitcase to mount the legs in place. In this build, the speakers are from a USB-powered system, originally for use with a computer system. Everything comes already put together, so it is just a case of putting them in place. You won’t need any special electrical skills.
This table is on the smaller side and is only suitable for a couple of people. However, it’s portable, meaning you can take it with you wherever you go. The best thing about this inventive, portable design? All of your tableware, wine glasses, and cutlery pack neatly away inside the suitcase.
Build Your Own Backyard Picnic Table
A backyard picnic table build doesn’t have to be a boring project. There is so much inspiration on the web when it comes to designs and project ideas. Whether you want to put something together for your kids to enjoy, or you fancy trying your hand at using some recycled materials for your DIY, you can find a style that suits you.
Don’t forget about the fun of applying finishing touches that make the table unique. Various paints, wood stains, and accessories are all great ways for you to customize your picnic table exactly to your liking.
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