Woodworking Plans: Patio Table with Built-in Drink Coolers
Follow these advanced beginner woodworking plans to build your own patio table with built-in drink coolers.
Hi it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt back with another build plan. This build plan is for the super popular patio table with built in ice boxes by Kruse’s Workshop — see more photos and tips here on Remodelaholic.
Thanks again to Heidi and Brent for sharing their amazing talents with us, and for letting us sketch up a woodworking plan for you!
Plans to Build a Patio Table with Built-in Drink Coolers
Materials:
- Printable Woodworking Plan [add to cart] (includes both cooler table and benches)
- 5 – 2×8 8′ length (table top)
- 2 – 2×6 8′ length (ice box lids)
- 5 – 2×4 8′ length (framing/skirting)
- 2 – 4×4 8′ length (table legs)
- 3 – 1×4 8′ length (ice box supports)
- 2 – 10″x20″ plastic planter boxes – see photo below
- 2 1/2″ Kreg pocket screws
- 1 1/2″ Kreg pocket screws
- 1 3/4″ Deck screws
- 8 – 5/16″ x 3″ bolts
- 8 – 5/16″ washers
- 8 – 5/16″ wood anchors
- 120 grit sandpaper
- 80 grit sandpaper
To build the matching bench, you’ll also need (per bench):
- 2 – 2″ x 6″ x 8′ boards
- 3 – 2″ x 4″ x 8′ boards
- 1 – 4″ x 4″ x 8′ boards
For finishing the patio table & benches:
- Pre-conditioner
- stain
- exterior spar varnish
- foam brushes
- fine sanding block
Tools:
- Miter saw or circular saw
- Table saw (optional but very helpful)
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Drill
- Orbital sander
- Kreg Jig pocket hole jig
- Clamps
- 2 1/8″ hole saw
- 1/2 inch drill bit
- T square or L square (optional but helpful)
- face clamps like these
For more build plans check out Hertoolbelt:
Outdoor Sofa // Scroll Console Table // Crate Coffee Table
Reader Photos and Alterations
We love seeing what you’ve built using Remodelaholic plans! Tag us @remodelaholic or #imaremodelaholic or submit a brag post here to show off your work.
Michael’s outdoor table with ice chests in the center
Michael writes: “This was my first-ever wood working project. I started with the benches and then moved on to the table. The benches worked great. I’m glad you mentioned not cutting everything for the table ahead of time. There were a lot of pieces that needed specific measuring towards the end (ice box lids).
“I used pressure treated pine. It made the table insanely heavy but will hopefully be good for a long time. Because of the weight of the table, I added heavy-duty locking casters to the bottom. This allows me to move it without getting the neighbors.
“I had a little bending in the long boards on the top. I added pocket screws going from the ice box frames across to the outside skirting and it pulled everything into alignment. Also, with the weight, I figured adding some screws would help over time.”
Doug’s Patio Table with Serving Dishes
Doug writes: “I was looking for a project I could build to donate to an auction being held by the PTO of my daughter’s elementary school. I decided on this table, but instead of using the planter boxes as ice chests, I made the holes in the table the same size as the opening for steam table trays. The trays come in about 24 different sizes, and they come in stainless steel as well as two types of plastic. They also come with lids and tons of accessories. Beware though, the trays can get expensive if you’re not careful.
“In addition to the rectangular trays, they have adapters so you can drop in different sizes of round buckets. The buckets are great for soups, sauces, chili, and the like, but they are also good for filling with ice and holding a few bottles of wine or a 12-pack of beer.
“I’m currently in the process of using some parts from an old gas bbq grill to create a small fire pit for the table. I am using one of the full size trays and putting the burner tube inside, covered with either broken glass or lava rocks. a small propane bottle will screw into the bottom of the tray and hang securely from the try while in use. I’m not sure how that is going to work out yet, but I think it will be really neat. The kids could roast hot dogs and marshmallows right in the center of the table.”
So very cool! What a great project, and to donate, nonetheless! A great project for a great cause. Thanks, Doug!
Allan’s Cedar Patio Table with Drink Coolers
Allan says: “Everything was according to the plans, except I made my table from cedar. The flower boxes I used were slightly more narrow and longer than the ones in the plans, so my table ended up being about a foot longer, all told. It’s the envy of our neighbourhood and a welcome place to sit down after a long day at work.”
Anita’s Recycled Wood Patio Table with Coolers
Anita says:”Saw the table and had to have one, but built it in my usual style, from recycled wood. You can make old look good again.”
Marielle’s COOL Table
Inspired by this patio table and our patio coffee table with drink trough, Marielle shared with us her “cool” table, as she called it. 🙂 She writes that they used one large board for the table top and cut out a perfectly-sized section to fit the serving tray so that it hangs by the 4 edges. And see the unique legs? Brilliant! Thank you for the photo!
Paul’s Patio Table with Drink Coolers
Reader Paul B. used our detailed woodworking plans to build this gorgeous patio table!
He says: “Great success and a happy customer! I would suggest to any future users that they pay attention to the instructions which I found quite accurate. Also, the manufacturer of the spar urethane I used recommended FOUR coats if the table is left out to the elements—seems very important!
“We were very pleased with the results and the finished product. I recommend that the user follow the plans and dimensions as close as possible, and make any necessary adjustments as assembly progresses due to the vagaries of construction grade material!”
If you’ve built anything following our plans or inspired by something we’ve posted, we’d love to see! Submit a brag post here.
Get the printable drink cooler patio table plans here.
More great outdoor building plans:
- Patio coffee table with built-in planter or drink cooler
- DIY gothic arch garden arbor
- concrete topped indoor-outdoor side table
- easy patio set
- DIY firepit pergola with swings
First posted 09.04.15 // Last updated 02.07.20
Amy is the tool lover at Hertoolbelt. On Hertoolbelt, Amy shares DIY furniture plans, handyman tutorials, and craft patterns. She has three pint sized 'helpers' that help fix things around the house and build fun projects.
Thank you so much for putting together these plans!
Thank you for being brilliant to build it in the first place, Heidi! 🙂
Thanks for sharing, this is brilliant!I’ll give the plans to my carpenter brother because I don’t think I’m up to it myself 🙂
Thanks, Veronique! Send us pictures when it’s built 🙂
Where did you get the inserts for the ice chest
They are planter boxes from Home Depot — here’s the affiliate link to the exact ones but you can use a different size and adjust the plans if needed (such as if those aren’t available in your area) — https://rstyle.me/+kcaxvwU9zaZwhz8Y2UpnEQ
Just wondering how you cut that 45 on the post for the inserts?
Love this! Do you have plans for the benches?
Yes, Nikki — if you look up toward the top of the post, there’s a link to the bench building plans over at Kruse’s Workshop.
This is some serious lumber. ;). Just how heavy was your table after you completed it?