How to Build a Twig Chair

Last Updated: August 4, 2021

Twig furnishings provide comfort and personality. If you like a rustic look, you may want to build a wicker chair. You don't need to spend a lot of money because twig furniture is made from renewable and sustainable resources, such as willow, bramble wood, laurel, cedar and other tree branches.

Steps

1
Look in your yard for twigs. You want to use straight, bendable green twigs that are 1/2 an inch (1.27 cm) to 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter from soft wooded trees when designing branch chairs.
- Snip a variety of sizes and lengths with pruning clippers so you'll have plenty of twigs to work with.
- Place twigs in a bucket of water to keep them fresh.
2
Cut the legs for your twig chair. Use twigs with a 1 inch (2.54 cm) diameter. To build a wicker chair, you need strong legs, and these branches will become the back and front legs of your twig chair.
- Cut 2 pieces 12 inches (30.48 cm) long with a bow saw. When designing wicker chairs, the back legs can extend to the back frame.
- Saw 2 pieces 4 inches (10.16 cm) long with a bow saw. These will become the front legs of your twig chair.
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3
Slice 10 twigs with a 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) diameter into 4 inch (10.16 cm) pieces with pruning clippers. To design a twig chair, you want a supportive frame, and these will provide that support.
4
Soak the cut twigs in the bucket of water for at least 20 minutes. To build a wicker chair, you want twigs that are soft and pliable.
5
Prepare the front legs of the chair.
- Bore 1 set of holes 1 inch (2.54 cm) down from the top of the branches about 1/2 an inch (1.27 cm) deep with a drill.
- Drill another set of holes 2 inches (5.08 cm) from the bottom of the twigs about 1/2 an inch (1.27 cm) deep. To design a twig chair, you are aiming for balance, and these holes need to line up.
6
Whittle the ends of the thinner 4 inch (10.16 cm) long twigs with a utility knife so that they will fit into the holes you drilled.
7
Glue the short twigs into the legs.
- Squeeze wood glue in the holes you drilled.
- Fit the 4 inch (10.16 cm) whittled twigs into the holes. Imagine a ladder when building twig chairs, because that is what the back and front legs will look like.
- Clamp the pieces together with a large rubber band and let it dry.
8
Prepare the back legs.
- Drill 4 sets of holes approximately 1/2 an inch (1.27 cm) deep in the back legs.
- Bore the top set of holes anywhere you like, keeping in mind that when you build a wicker chair, the holes on the back legs must match.
- Drill the other sets of holes so that they will line up with the front legs.
9
Follow the directions for gluing the short sticks into the front legs for the back legs.
10
Cut small twigs the size of the base. To build a wicker chair, you'll need a seat. Glue the sticks and attach them to the seat base.
11
Let the chair set overnight.

Community Q&A

Question

My mom set up a play date, and instead of hanging with my friends, she wanted us to make a twig chair. She allowed us to use hammers and saws. Are we allowed? My friends and I are only 11.

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

11 is a great age to start learning about proper tool use. So long an adult can supervise and help, you should be able to complete the project. If you are unsure about any step of the process, always ask to avoid ruining any hard work you may have already done.