People tend to spend more time outdoors these days, which explains the increasing demand for outdoor kitchens. Like most individuals, I attempt to look for ways to cut costs when I want to make a product.
Constructing these outdoor kitchen cabinets may seem daunting at first, it is easier than it appears. I will help you do it; I will school you on some of the ideas and ways to cut down costs.
Why make an effort to create Outdoor kitchen cabinets yourself?
Adding cabinets to the outdoor kitchen was one of the first things that I thought about when I was getting into this construction profession. However, the designs I was finding were either very costly or were not to the look I was aiming to.
That’s where DIY comes in handy. This is useful if you want to provide a lot of counter space or more storage area or if you want a design that will complement your outdoor kitchen.
Not to mention, it is an inexpensive limited hardware project that allows full creativity for the backyard setup.
And, believe me, it is not that difficult.
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20 DIY Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets
1. Functional and Fabulous: Crafting Outdoor Cabinets with a Rustic Twist
2. Rustic Charm Meets Functionality: Crafting Your Own Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets
3. Breathe Life Into Your Backyard: DIY Outdoor Kitchen Cabinet Ideas for Any Style
4. DIY on a Budget: Build Stunning Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets Without Breaking the Bank
5. From Scratch to Stunning: How to Create Custom DIY Outdoor Cabinets
6. Vintage Vibes: Transforming Old Wood into Gorgeous Outdoor Cabinets
7. Countryside Chic: Build Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen with DIY Cabinetry
8. Boho Vibes: Designing Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets with an Eclectic Touch
9. Bohemian Bliss: Adding Unique Flair to Your Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets
10. Boho Luxe: Handmade Outdoor Cabinets That Bring Texture and Style to Your Backyard
11. Modern Minimalism: DIY Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets for Sleek, Contemporary Spaces
12. Elevate Your Space: DIY Cabinets for a Modern Outdoor Kitchen
13. The Perfect Fit: Tailoring Your Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets to Match Any Theme
14. Outdoor Cabinet Magic: DIY Designs to Match Your Rustic, Boho, or Modern Aesthetic
15. Natural Wood Wonders: Rustic Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets for Every Backyard
16. Simple Yet Stunning: Minimalist DIY Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets You Can Build
17. Modern Marvels: Sleek and Simple DIY Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets for a Contemporary Look
18. Countryside Creations: Building DIY Outdoor Cabinets with Farmhouse Flair
19. Country Comfort: Handmade Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets with a Countryside Feel
20. Cabinet Creations: Unique DIY Outdoor Designs for the Boho-Inspired Home
Building Materials: You Just Have to Make the Best Choice
There are some great materials on the scene, regarding the style and number you are dealing with.
If a rustic style kitchen is desirable, then reclaimed wood or pallets are both great options, especially if you’re in search of ideas on a budget.
They not only enhance the outdoor kitchen with a rugged charm but are cheap and allow for recycling.
In case you decide to go for a more modern style, concrete or stainless steel in that order might be your cup of tea.
One type that is terribly easy to maintain and yet very durable is stainless steel, but this type of metal can be a little costly.
On the one hand, concrete has a modern industrial type of design and is low cost with some hard work on your part.
You may even choose to combine different designs that will make your kitchen look more elegant and attract the guests.
I have been using treated wood for the framework and pallet wood for the cabinet doors to achieve the look and cost I want.
Construction Basics: Steps To Construct Your Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets
Now, let’s proceed to the exciting step, that is all about the actual doing-and not the talking-which is to build the cabinets fitting the people concerned about building it.
The process is a lot like building indoor kitchen cabinets, only this time there will be some slight deviations to make them suitable for the outdoors.
First order of business, you will have to construct the frame.
Here pressure-treated lumber will be ideal here as it will not be eaten away by pests or gather mold. The first work would be to measure and cut your wood forms to form the bases of your cabinet.
Its best to form a robust frame that will hold the counter top and the storage or appliances you plan to bring on board.
As for the cabinet doors, there are lots of them in stock. For those with little money on their hands, I suggest pallet wood or relatively cheap plywood.
These materials are very easy to work and ready for paint or stainer for adapting to the outdoor setting.
If you want a cleaner, more polished look, you could even incorporate some of the trim moldings around the doors if you wish to go minimalist.
Use external hinges when attaching the doors since they are difficult to rust amidst other outdoor imbalances.
And last, very essential, please encourage the use of some magnets or hardware that can withstand the weather to prevent the doors from flying open if catching in strong winds or rain.
Space and Features Enhancement
In the course of designing outdoor kitchen’s cabinets, one thing that was considered is the availability of considerable space.
Storage allows for peace of mind, whether it’s grilling equipment, charcoal supplies or tableware that belongs to the outdoors.
Consider including steel cabinets with adjustable shelves within the areas that are going to be utilized as storages as these can help meet forth the select needs of the users.
This provides you with options changing circumstances. For example, if you are scheduling other tall products such as propane tanks or beverage coolers, it becomes better by incorporating adjustable shelving.
You can also place a couple of hooks or a pegboard inside your cabinets for smaller objects such as tongs, spatulas and skewers.
If you’re including a sink, be sure to provide space to accommodate the plumbing under the cabinets.
I opted for a simple outdoor sink that was linked to a garden hose, an option that was where the functionality met cost-efficiency.
Ideas on a Budget: Infusing Your Style On a Tight Budget
Constructing an outdoor kitchen cabinet should not be such an expensive exercise.
As a matter of fact, one of the reasons I went the DIY way is because I wanted to keep the costs low and still maintain the beauty of things.
Below are some of the techniques I applied which were quite resourceful in sparing expenses:
- Reclaimed Wood: Selecting materials such as pallets or reclaimed wood reduces the overall costs for making cabinets and enhances beauty as well.
- DIY Concrete Countertops: I had concrete countertops instead of the really expensive granite or stone ones. They were reasonably simple to make and transformed the appearance of my kitchen to one of elegance.
- Basic Hinges and Handles: Do not get under the impression that you will have to break the bank just on the hardware. There are a number of outlet hinges and out door handles that are much affordable and do their functions without looking inexpensive.
Introducing a Sink – The Most Pragmatic Step
The biggest advantage of building an outdoor kitchen is that you can throw in a sink; this is particularly useful if you are going to do a lot of food preparation or hosting.
I was a bit hesitant at first to include one, but I am very glad I did. It makes cleanup easy and prevents me from having to go grab something from the house each time I need to clean something.
To cut costs, I chose a simple drop-in stainless steel sink and connected it to the garden hose. I also built a sink with a simple drainage solution that routed the water into my garden. Not only was that a low-cost solution, but it was a green one too!
Do not forget to provide for a cabinet that will be positioned under the sink so as to hide all the piping work which will be otherwise seen and also so as to keep the detergents or the extra containers of water.
Protecting Your Cabinets from Weather
The kitchen cabinets built in the open will be subjected to and exposed to all forms of weather conditions so it is important to ensure that they are weather resistant.
I would advocate the use of all surfaces that would come into contact with water be treated with a waterproof seal to prevent any water damage to the wood.
If you want to go the extra mile, when your cabinets are not being used place a weatherproof cover over them.
If you prefer the use of metal, select it to be coated in paint or a material that resists rust.
If you don’t mind spending a little more money, stainless steel is always a safe choice for long-term use.
Final Touches: Personalize Your Outdoor Kitchen
After all the hard work that has gone into building out your outdoor kitchen cabinets, it’s time for those finishing touches that make the space entirely yours.
I placed a few herb pots on the counter to provide some color and some string lights were hung up to help heat up the space at night.
And remember that this is not the end, don’t overlook the inside of the cabinets!
For extra storage and organization, I was able to find some water resistant baskets.
Conclusion
Making your own outdoor kitchen cabinets is a very satisfying project and one which you have full control of how your space will be.
By simply addressing some of the key elements like doors, storage, and adding a sink, you are able to build a more practical and aesthetically pleasing space known as an outdoor kitchen without breaking the bank.
Furthermore, there are also several intriguing methods in which cost can be minimized without loss in quality.
So go ahead- unleash your imagination and let’s give the outdoor version of the kitchen a new meaning by building the kitchen of your dreams!
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