The concept of a backyard kitchen has always intrigued me. It is all about grilling, and prepping and entertaining everything in one area. However, it is the cost of those fancy outdoor kitchens often seen on TV that can give anyone cold feet.
On the contrary, for as long as I have been in this field, I have discovered that you can achieve a gorgeous and functional backyard kitchen without spending too much.
With some creative ideas and hard work, even a small patio, can be turned into every chef’s dream of an outdoor kitchen.
Therefore, in this article, I am going to share with you how I built a backyard kitchen on a budget and offer some inexpensive outdoor kitchen ideas that I found effective.
So, no matter if you have a small patio or a bigger backyard it can be done on a budget.
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20 Backyard Kitchen on a Budget Ideas
1. Cozy Farmhouse Vibes with Wooden Shelving and Decor
2. Simple String Light Ideas to Illuminate Your Outdoor Kitchen
3. DIY Rustic Pallet Bar for an Affordable Outdoor Kitchen
4. Use Reclaimed Wood for Budget-Friendly Counters
5. Affordable Outdoor Kitchen Layouts Using Repurposed Materials
6. DIY Outdoor Sink Setup with a Rustic Twist
7. Use Corrugated Metal for a Countryside-Inspired Kitchen Backdrop
8. Create a Cozy Corner with a DIY Kitchen Shelves
9. Farmhouse-Inspired Cabinets Made from Reclaimed Wood
10. Add Potted Herbs for a Functional and Beautiful Touch
11. Hang Lanterns for Ambient Lighting on a Budget
12. Incorporate Bar Rustic Chairs for a Countryside Dining Look
13. Create a Rustic Outdoor Dining Area with Budget-Friendly Finds
14. Stone Countertops for Cooking and Warmth
15. Use Open Shelves for Rustic Storage Solutions
16. Rustic Potting Table Turned into a DIY Outdoor Kitchen Island
17. Thrifted Boho Decor for a Farmhouse Kitchen Vibe
18. Vintage Metal Tables for a Charming Prep Area
19. Build a DIY Grill Station with Rustic Appeal
20. String Fairy Lights to Create an Enchanting Atmosphere
Establishing a Perimeter of Your Space
Something which was quite clear to me early enough was that it was not necessary to have a large space in order to have an outdoor kitchen. Indeed a small setup can prove to be equally useful and appealing.
I, first of all, took some time after the planning stage to know how Georgina intends her backyard kitchen to be. For me it was relatively simple; some space for grilling and prepping and a small area for entertaining several of my friends.
Assuming that is your scenario, think of how you can tweak what you currently have such as a terrace or deck should you have any to a more usable space.
You do not have to demolish or else put in new concrete. I took over a corner of my existing patio which already had some seating, and made that the center piece that was surrounded by certain key components of the kitchen.
Because I avoided adding too many things and concentrated on the most important and fundamental aspects of the issue, I managed to work within the confined area that I already had without outlaying any extra amount.
How Can I Decorate My House Myself?
Saving money is one of the many advantages of doing it yourself. As much as I’d love to pretend to be a professional woodworker, I soon accepted the fact that constructing a simple outdoor kitchen does not have to be rocket science.
There are enough tutorials and step by step methods that even a child can do it.
For instance, rather than paying for a designer outdoor counter, I built one myself with cheap materials from a home improvement company.
Cinder blocks were the base and I used a wooden slab on top which I waterproofed. It may not look like pressure controlling granite countertop but it gets the work done and looks good at a third of the price.
You will save so many dollars by constructing your own counters, making your own. shelves, even a grill station instead of a building where you assemble all that outdoor cooking experience for that outdoor kitchen feel.
The Grill: The Most Important Element of Any Backyard Kitchen
A backyard kitchen is just incomplete refurbishing without the presence of a grill.
However, when operating on limited financial means, it’s easy to feel frightened by the numerous grills available today, some whose price tags could be equal to that of an indoor oven.
I chose a standard charcoal grill. It is cheap, infuses food with that real hot and cordite-like quality and, to be honest, suits the laid-back atmosphere I was going for.
But the point here is to avoid spending too much on features that you may never get to use. For gas or charcoal lovers, there are cheaper variants of the grill you just have to look for.
If you also have a grill at your patio, submit to that idea and do even better. Integrate it in the already restored kitchen and design the rest surrounding the incorporated grill.
This practice will not only help in cutting down costs but will in turn put your old gas/electric grill as the centerpiece of your patio kitchen.
Counter space and storage solutions in the backyard kitchen
What’s more, the second thing I was able to appreciate is that a sufficient amount of counter space in a backyard kitchen is crucial!
Being able to appreciate such a feature as the group or granite stone counter is much harder than it seems. But you do not have to install granite countertops in order to achieve the purpose.
Earlier I said that an easy do it yourself a cinder block and wood table can be useful. Those who do have scrap wood frame and other construction substances can make use of such materials as wood.
Light counter-tops aside, where do you put all the things? Therefore, it is likely that you would not have so many built-in cupboards as we normally have in an indoor kitchen so you have to think out of the box.
On one of the walls surrounding my patio I put up a very basic metal shelving system for additional supplies. Nothing to write home about however it is practical, protects against varying weather conditions and serves its purpose.
Further, you can attach some hooksabove or pegboard to keep your kitchen tools or utensils where they can easily be reached and avoid clutter.
Choosing Budget Friendly Materials
On top of the commonplace furnishings and appliances, other important features of any kitchen, indoor or, outdoor, is the materials. But in the case of a cheap backyard kitchen it would remostoneoodbuilding material to choose wirenet choices.
I pursued an alternative route and used wood and metal as my core materials instead of costly stone or tiles. It is not just about the cost effectiveness these materials provide but their aesthetic value adds to an outdoor décor in some way.
And they are also low-maintenance materials. I applied some sealants onto the wood to shield it from harsh weather elements while for the metal shelves, I chose powder- coated steel to prevent corrosion.
Another thing to remember is perhaps sourcing some building materials from second-hand stores or online shops. Many times people use their old tiles, dry wood, or sometimes even a stove from previous home projects selling them below the market price.
Lighting and Ambiance on a Shoestring Budget
Now that the critical kitchen hardware was complete, the next thing was the ambiance. Being a kitchen that people are going to use most evenings for barbeques, I wanted it to be warm and welcoming.
But I knew that expensive lighting fixtures were out of the question.
Instead, I simply added inexpensive and simple outdoor string lights, which aesthetically improved the ambience and decor of the space and didn’t affect my pockets.
They are designed to elicit a soft, gentle pleasant illumination to an area without necessarily employing large flood lights.
As another alternative, you can use lanterns or candles to add to the romantic atmosphere.”
For those who are also looking for outdoor lightings that are pocket-friendly, then lights that are powered by the sun are the best, being that they are energy efficient and do not have any wiring.
Making A Dining Area
What is a backyard kitchen without a place where one can sit and eat the food that has just been prepared?
The good news is that you do not have to purchase an expensive outdoor dining set to design an appealing and comfortable eating space.
I used my old picnic table that had been idle in the garage, painted it, and bought outdoor cushions to put on it for additional comfort.
If you do not have aesthetic and functional things available, try to see if there are cheap outside furniture pieces available in thrift shops or garage sales.
With imagination and some do-it-yourself, you can convert the simplest pieces of furniture to look ideal for your room.
And don’t worry about using different types of chairs or benches. This is part of the fun of being in a backyard kitchen and that is, the whole space can be a little imperfect.
You support the personalities of the space by enhancing the friendly feeling of the place.
Sticking to the Essentials
In my opinion, when it comes to implementing a budget for a backyard kitchen installation, it is advisable to be as straightforward as possible. Pay attention to the must haves, i.e. the grill, a little bit of counter space and some basic cabinets for storage.
Avoid the temptation of cramming every manner of gadgetry just because it is seen in some magazine.
From my own experience I would say a tiny external kitchen can be equally as productive (and many times even more delightful) as those luxurious sprawling setups in premium properties.
Further, by concentrating on the core needs, there will be no more overspending as one will be able to achieve a space that one has always yearned for, a place to cook, entertain and enjoy the weather.
Closing Remarks
There’s nothing daunting or impossible about building a kitchen in the backyard; neither it’s expensive.
It’s absolutely feasible at creating an attractive, practical outdoor kitchen(without going overboard with expenditure) with a little bit of DIY and some optimal selection. In my case, a budget oriented solution worked perfectly well – I upgraded my place and now it’s a nice area for barbeques, cooking and seeing guests over, without crossing the limit of how much I can spend.
Moreover, in case you fantasized about having a kitchen in your backyard but feared the costs involved, worry no more.
A little bit of strategic planning, a handful of low-cost interesting suggestions, and some perspiration is all you need to design and build the kitchen of your dreams on the outdoors.
It is about maximizing one’s resources and concentrating on what truly counts. Good food, good people and a part of the house that feels like an extra room.
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