No summer gathering is complete without a few rounds of cornhole. Sure, you can buy a set of premade boards for this summertime staple, but why do that when you can DIY a custom set of cornhole boards in no time at all? Plus, choosing the DIY cornhole board route lets you put your own colorful spin on it. Choose something bold and bright or opt for a chic aesthetic that complements your home’s exterior. Below, we’ve explained how to build cornhole boards with a simple-yet-stunning striped paint job.

1. Cut Lumber for Frames

Measure, mark and cut three 2x4s into four 48-inch pieces and four 21-inch pieces.

2. Assemble Frames

Sandwich the 21-inch boards between the 48-inch boards to create two 2-foot by 4-foot rectangles (Image 1). Screw through the 48-inch boards into the end of the 21-inch boards, using two 3-inch wood screws at each joint (Image 2).

3. Cut Lumber for Tops

Use a circular saw or table saw to rip the square plywood sheet down the middle, creating two 2-foot by 4-foot pieces.

4. Attach Tops to Frames

Place the tops on the frames and line up all edges. Screw through the tops into the frames using 1-5/8-inch wood screws. Use three screws on the long sides and one at the top and bottom.

5. Build Legs

Cut the legs out of 2x4 lumber. Each leg will have a 30-degree-angled foot. The long side of the leg should be 11-1/2 inches. On the other end, radius the lumber using a jigsaw, then drill a 3/8-inch hole centered in the radius. This curvature allows the legs to swivel in and out for easy storage.

Pro Tip: Make one leg, then trace its shape to cut the three remaining legs.

6. Attach Legs

Place the legs in the corner of the board, then clamp them in place. Drill through the hole using the same 3/8-inch drill bit, all the way through the other side of the cornhole board frame. Slide carriage bolts with washers through each hole, then secure them using wing nuts.

7. Cut Cornhole in Boards

To find the proper position of each cornhole in the boards, measure 9 inches down from the top and 12 inches over from the side. Mark this spot, then use a compass to create a perfect 6-inch circle (Image 1). Drill through the inner edge of the circle to enable the jigsaw to access it, then cut the circumference out (Images 2 & 3).

8. Sand the Cornhole Boards

Sand all surfaces using a sanding block, paying special attention to removing splinters from all cut edges, including the center hole. Follow the wood grain to minimize sanding marks.

9. Paint Your First Coat

After removing all dust from sanding, paint the entirety of the cornhole boards using your base coat of exterior paint.

10. Add Tape for Stripes

Once the base coat is thoroughly dry, add equidistant stripes of painter’s tape across the top of the cornhole boards.

11. Paint Secondary Color

Paint between the stripes using your complementary colors. Once dry, remove the tape.

Pro Tip: For ultra-crisp stripes, score the dried paint along the sides of the tape using a utility knife before removing the tape.