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Grill It Yourself: 14 DIY Outdoor Kitchens for Every Backyard Chef

Grill It Yourself: 14 DIY Outdoor Kitchens for Every Backyard Chef

If you’ve ever found yourself flipping burgers on your old, wobbly grill while juggling a drink, a spatula, and the urgent need for more counter space, it’s time to level up!

Welcome to the world of DIY outdoor kitchens, where backyard barbecues meet pure culinary bliss!

Picture this: you, a backyard master chef, surrounded by your very own custom-built setup – sizzling steaks on one side and serving ice-cold drinks on the other!

No more mad dashes back inside to grab forgotten utensils or sauces!

So get out your toolbox, and apron on, and let’s turn your backyard into the envy of the neighborhood!

Warning: once you’ve got this setup, your friends might just start showing up with steaks ”for the grill.”

1. Keep Your Herbs Close

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Herbs are an essential part of cooking, so keeping your potted herbs close is very important! Either opt to create a wooden stand next to your grill or if you have a wall, opt for shelves!

2. Repurposed Wood

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Building cabinets isn’t that hard, especially since we have so many different tutorials nowadays! Most people have storage sheds and there’s some old wood lying around there!

And if you don’t, then a quick trip to the hardware store will even you out!

3. Repurpose Old Furniture

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If you’d like to go for a more rustic style (and stay within budget) either scour your attic or go down to the flea market or thrift shop for some vintage (and cheap!) finds!

An old dresser will serve great as storage space and countertop! You just need to show these items some love through cleaning, sanding, and painting!

4. Simple Wooden Outdoor Kitchen

If you’re looking to add more counter space to your grill station, wooden cabinets will be your best bet! Get the materials from your local hardware store, and start drilling away!

5. Colorful Outdoor Kitchen

If you want to go the extra mile and you have some money to spare, a good idea can be to buy cabinets from IKEA and some tile! If you’d like to save money, peel-and-stick tiles are a great option!

The IKEA cabinets will make your patio feel fresh and the painted wood slats will give it life!

6. Carts Instead of Cabinets

For some, building cabinets is a pain and we get that! That’s why we’re suggesting buying two carts to make your outdoor cooking easier! They come with loads of storage and they’re transportable!

If you’d like to match them to your outdoor aesthetic, get some paint and roll up your sleeves!

7. Concrete Outdoor Kitchen

Now this one might be a bit complex, but hear us out. A concrete outdoor kitchen is extremely durable and customizable!

You can adjust the size and shape however you want! It might be tons of work, but it definitely pays off in the end!

8. DIY Brick Outdoor Kitchen with an Egg Cooker

Brick outdoor kitchens are easier to build than poured concrete ones! It will take you a few days of consistent work, but you’ll end up with a cozy and stylish outdoor kitchen!

This one features a designated space for their egg cooker, featuring a wood wall with a shelf and hanging utensils!

9. Drop-Down Countertop

If you only need a bit of counter space, the best and cheapest thing you could do is build a drop-down countertop out of wooden pallets!

You’ll need some nails, chains, and a wooden pallet and you’re all set!

10. Floating Shelf Bar

An outdoor kitchen isn’t just for cooking, you’ll need some space for your guests to hang out! A floating shelf is the easiest bar you could make!

You’ll need brackets, anchors, and wooden shelves, so get to drilling and enjoy a stunning space along with a glass of wine!

11. Wooden Crates as Storage Drawers

Usually, the drawers are the hardest part to make out of the whole kitchen cabinet, so why not skip that part and just stick some painted wooden crates in there?

They’ll be a welcome storage solution, plus they give off a natural, rustic vibe!

12. Simple Black Outdoor Kitchen

You probably impulsively bought a TV console even though you don’t have the space for it. You imagined how nice it would look behind the sofa, only to find out it doesn’t fit!

Don’t just throw away your furniture, because that breakfast buffet table could make for a stunning outdoor kitchen!

13. DIY Pallet Outdoor Kitchen

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Pallets are a great DIY material since they are so versatile! You can even make an outdoor kitchen out of a couple of pallets!

Even a small outdoor kitchen will completely change your life, because who wants to walk all the way to the house because they forgot the salt?

14. Simple Brick Outdoor Kitchen

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A small brick outdoor kitchen is an easy and durable DIY! You can always add some wood covering for extra protection, but that will only be needed by the chef!