Adirondack Chairs & #DIY Tips

 This summer will be our sixth summer in our home, and although we bought our home dreaming of all of the parties we would be hosting in our backyard, it is virtually impossible to entertain guest without any outdoor furniture.  Like many other families we purchased our home at the peak of the economic boom and since we both worked in the mortgage industry our incomes were hit pretty hard as the housing market collapsed.  Fortunately we have managed to maintain our home, but our plans for entertaining and splurging outdoor furniture were temporarily placed on hold.    Last year my sister purchased two Adirondack chairs from Ace Hardware and gave them to me for my birthday.

Although, I am ashamed that I didn’t put the chairs together immediately, I am thrilled to have them be a part of our backyard makeover this summer.

I love a good DIY project and these chairs were perfect because they came unassembled and unfinished.  I will admit, seeing all of the pieces was a little overwhelming but like any other project the best way to tackle the assembly is to take it one step at a time.  Once I had painted all of the pieces, I was ready to get started.  Helpful Hints for assembling the Adirondack Chairs or any other “Assembly Required” Furniture

Make sure you read through all the instructions before you get started. (I know the instruction manual always tells you to do this but rarely do we listen.) Believe me it is important.

When the Instructions say, “Do Not Tighten Bolts until fully assembled.”  Pay attention, there is a reason why this is important.

Before beginning each step; Look at the Diagram, Get all of the pieces needed ready, and lay out the pieces to match the diagram before you start to assemble.

Examine each piece carefully, front and back.  Look for any differences on each side to ensure you do not attach any piece backwards.    Laugh if you will, but my first attempt at assembling these chairs was a flop.  I didn’t realize that each piece had an indentation for the head of the screw and I assembled the first chair almost entirely backwards.  Since my husband refused to help, I told him that he could have that chair and if he were so inclined he could reassemble it correctly.

Don’t skip ahead – complete each step in the order found in the instruction manual.  Again, this may seem really simple, but even if you are tempted to jump ahead – Don’t! There is a reason why these steps are arranged in this order.  I learned this the hard way.

Before beginning any project, make sure you have the proper tools.  I believe a woman should have her own set of basic tools; Tools that you feel comfortable using and that you always know where they can be found.  Start with the basics, and add on as you find the need.

Here is my suggested list for the basic tool set:

Hammer

Phillips Head Screwdriver

Flat Head Screwdriver

Measuring Tape

Basic Socket Set

The chairs turned out beautifully. They are sturdy, and appear to be made from quality wood.  We placed them under our deck to create a sitting area in our backyard.  It is so nice being able to go outside and sit under the shade of the deck while we watch the boys play in the yard and swing on their swing set. These chairs are probably one of the best additions to our backyard makeover.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”