An outdoor kitchen is great for hosting parties and cozy dinners during the warmer months. It expands your living space and gives you an entertainment space outside.
The outrageous labor and material costs, however, hinder some homeowners from building one. Must be stressful for those who enjoy having a few friends around and being outdoors.
Hiring a professional builder to install your own outdoor kitchen can also be very expensive. Prices can further jump depending on the customization options.
But the truth is, building an outdoor kitchen doesn’t have to be an expensive investment.
In this post, we’ll give you some of the most functional yet low-budget DIY outdoor kitchen ideas that you can start on your own!
Advantages of DIY an Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchens aren’t a passing trend; they’re an investment of time and resources in pursuit of greater living space and convenience. And yes, the expense of installing an outdoor kitchen can be prohibitive.
But there’s no need to shell out to have a lovely, efficient outdoor kitchen. Going the DIY route will save you money. They may not be as luxurious as those you see in Architectural Digest, but they will do.
Here are good reasons why doing DIY outdoor kitchen building is the way to go.
Extends your entertainment and living space
We’ve all wanted to cater to a larger crowd for birthdays and holidays. But the problem is that we don’t always have the indoor space to do it. An outdoor kitchen will provide you with a place to socialize with your guests.
If you install a spacious bar counter, you become both the cook and the host, allowing you to engage with your guests while you prepare meals. It also encourages you to opt for the healthier choice of cooking at home rather than ordering takeout from a restaurant.
Keeps odor out
To make your neighbors drool, to keep the odor away, or both. While we all love the aroma of smoked brisket, you should leave it out in the open. And, as we all know, not all food smells are pleasant—think of notions and fresh seafood!
Caution for bear countries: this may attract wild animals!
Aside from the smell, outdoor kitchens will also keep your indoors clean. This is especially true when you’re grilling burgers, hotdogs, and pizzas. Plus, who wants to clean the soots indoors, anyways?
Enhanced food flavor
Most restaurants and fast food chains add a large amount of sodium, butter, and oils to enhance the flavor of their food. So, dining out in restaurants means consuming excessive amounts of those ingredients that can potentially risk your health.
Cooking and dining in your outdoor space allow you to be healthier. That is, you’ll know what’s in your food and you can add the freshest ingredients to your dishes. Sizzling steaks over your gas grill, out in the backyard with your pets and family is the way to go.
Easier cooking
Even with the most basic setup like a grill, sink, and tap combo, an outdoor kitchen will make cooking easier. This is because it shortens the distance between where you cook your food and where you eat. This way, you won’t have to dash back and forth between your gathering and your grill, and neither will your guests.
Keeps your indoor kitchen cool
Besides keeping your indoor kitchen clean and odor-free, one of the biggest advantages of an outdoor kitchen is that it keeps the indoors cool.
Cooking outdoors allows you to fire up your grill, and enjoy the open space and fresh air while preparing dinner. This means no more sweltering inside your house. And you’ll come back inside a cool, clean home.
Relaxing and comfortable cooking
It goes without saying that cooking alfresco is always relaxing. Enjoying more time out in nature is beneficial to one’s mental health. Blending in with nature along with sunshine and fresh air has been shown in studies to increase mood and reduce anxiety. Outdoor cooking can be a calming and fun hobby.
Less power consumption
When you cook indoors, you’ll need a range hood to keep the air in your kitchen clean. This also means that your AC won’t need to consume a lot of energy since you won’t be using it often.
If it’s a covered patio, consider installing solar panels or double-glazing your windows. Yes, there is an upfront cost, but it will save you money on your utility bills in the long run.
Adds value to your home
Outdoor kitchens are becoming popular, particularly in locations where it is possible to eat outside. Installing an outdoor kitchen may increase the value of your home, allowing you to fetch a better selling price should you decide to put it up for sale.
And not only does it make your home more marketable, but it also helps your property stand out. Especially if it’s a fixture that is not seen in most homes in your area.
Beautiful & Easy DIY Outdoor Kitchens
Stunning outdoor kitchens on a budget? That’s not impossible!
Check out the most beautiful and efficient kitchens we love below!
Outdoor bar made of corrugated metal
If you’re the type who loves hearing the rain hit a metal roof, this outdoor kitchen is a great soundscape during inclement weather. It takes that serene mood and uses corrugated metal. This creates a casual outdoor workspace with aesthetic intrigue. The oak-toned wood details make this installment so simple.
Hawaiian bar counter
Using only tin and wood details, this creative and simple bar counter conjures an island vibe. It offers all the basic amenities you need, but the adorable bar counter gives it the wow factor.
Wood bar on old barrels
Another creative and clever design on our list, this cool-looking wood bar counter finds a sturdy platform from two barrels. It’s a great installment for afternoon cocktail parties during summer days. And you can tuck it away at any time.
Outdoor tiki bar
Tropical bars are enjoyable to build and decorate. The ethereal place is packed with high-quality arts and crafts that entice you to surrender your woes at the door. Go for a windowless tiki bar to create an exciting and relaxing atmosphere.
Refreshing refreshment zone
From the colorful drinks to the potted plants underneath, this wooden bar cart screams refreshment. It’s a worry-free stand that lets you become a mixologist in the comfort of your backyard.
DIY portable outdoor kitchen bar cart
This portable bar cart is way too lovely to use beside a grill. It comes with a compartment designed to hold a 30-quart foam cooler, plenty of space, and stylish copper towel bars and hooks. Use copper-colored screws for a more cohesive look.
Foldable bar
Adorable, snazzy, and space-saving. This foldable outdoor bar is great for intimate catch-ups and chitchats.
FAQs
How do I make an outdoor kitchen on a budget?
If you want to build a functional outdoor kitchen on a budget, you can work with salvaged materials such as reclaimed wood or repurposed stone and bricks. Working with these materials reduces the cost of the construction. Plus, they have a lower environmental impact.
What is the average cost to build an outdoor kitchen?
Building your own outdoor kitchen from scratch may cost around $1,200 to $2,000 per linear foot. This figure takes into account the bbq island, the finish, the counters, the grilling area, and other appliances. You should also factor in the labor cost.
It’s a serious investment, which is why, if you have the necessary skills, going the DIY route is preferable.
What material should you use to build an outdoor kitchen?
It depends on your budget and preferences. If you want easy-to-clean and maintain surfaces, go for sleek worktops like stainless steel. For a more visually appealing outdoor kitchen, you may go for stone surfaces.
For a more budget-friendly approach, go for concrete countertops. Decorative concrete panels, stucco, and tile are also viable surface materials for a concrete countertop. In addition, using concrete blocks allows for total customization.
Is it worth it to build an outdoor kitchen?
Yes, if you have the space and budget. Outdoor kitchen building in your patio or backyard extends your living space and increases the value of your home. If you install an outdoor kitchen from high-quality materials, you will get years of fun and convenience from it.
Conclusion
An outdoor kitchen’s practicality to the residence outweighs its aesthetic appeal. It offers a retreat spot for family get-togethers and cookouts, as well as a favorite hangout for your guests.
Building one may be expensive, but if you have the skills and can find supplies and repurposed items, you’ll have a nice, functional, and DIY outdoor kitchen.
We hope you’ve found your design inspirations from our DIY outdoor kitchen ideas above.
Good luck!
