Outdoor kitchens are on the rise, as more and more of us look to enjoy the benefits of alfresco dining as soon as the sun starts to shine. And you don't have to have a huge outside space to enjoy one, as this mini outdoor kitchen idea shows.
With the popularity of the best pizza ovens growing each year too, even if you have a particularly small garden, there is always a spot to squeeze in an outdoor kitchen set up.
So if you have a spare afternoon, just a little bit of DIY knowledge and the enthusiasm to enjoy your next meal outside, give this mini outdoor kitchen idea a try.
How to create a mini outdoor kitchen
While you might be wondering exactly how to build an outdoor kitchen, for most designs, you will need a bit of space, so those of us with balcony gardens or small patios might worry we are missing out.
But with this mini outdoor kitchen idea, it has such a small footprint (around 80cm wide by 35cm deep) that it can be slotted into even the teeniest of outdoor spaces, to take dining outside from a dream to a reality.
What you'll need
- Single trellis fence panel like the slatted trellis panel, £22.50, Wickes
- 4 wooden crates like the natural wooden crates, £9 each, Hobbycraft
- An exterior wood paint of your choice
- Dust sheets or plastic sheeting
- A quality paintbrush
- A handheld or electric screwdriver
- Screws
- A couple of S hooks
Step-by-step
1. Protect the area
First things first, lay down your dust sheets or plastic sheeting to protect the ground and any nearby plants from getting splattered with paint. You'll need a dry day to take on the painting but not one that is too hot and sunny as the paint could turn sticky. Most DIY outdoor kitchen ideas lend themselves to a clear, dry but not too sunny day- luckily the UK provides plenty of days like that!
2. Paint your panel
Next, paint your wooden panel and crates in the same colour of your choice. If you're not sure what shade to go for, looking at garden paint ideas should give you some inspiration, but think whether you want your mini outdoor kitchen to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, or be bold and make a statement in it's space.
If it's the former, shades of green, grey and black will make it less imposing, but if the latter is more your bag, choose a bright pink, yellow or aqua.
3. Attach your crates
Once your panel and crates are dry, turn the crates onto their side and stack together to make a 2 by 2 formation and screw securely together. Next place the stack at the bottom of the panel and screw this together too.
4. Position in place
Once the crates and panel are securely attached to each other, position against a wall, side of a shed or against a balcony railing. You might want to use a couple of cable ties if positioning against railings, to ensure it doesn't get blown over in any heavy winds.
5. Add S hooks to hang cooking essentials
Now that your mini outdoor kitchen is in place, you can fill each of the crate cubbies with all your dining and eating essentials, such as crockery, glasses and condiments. Hang a couple of S hooks from the trellis panel to hang kitchen utensils, bread and serving boards, placemats and even barbecue tools, so everything is at hand.
Then set up your best barbecue or pizza oven nearby and enjoy many a meal time in the sunshine.
Here are some of our favourite buys for cooking up summer meals in a small-space.
Versatile and portable, this compact BBQ is fuss-free but still packs a punch when it comes to cooking. It has a footprint of H55 x W38 x D60cm
This dual-fuel and compact pizza oven has collapsible legs for portability and ease of storage, meaning it's ideal for small outdoor spaces
This bijou, electric BBQ can be used both inside and out, has a built-in Air Fryer function and a footprint of just H34 x W46 x D46cm
FAQS
What is the cheapest way to build an outdoor kitchen?
While you might think that building an outdoor kitchen is a costly endeavour, this mini outdoor kitchen could cost you as little as £60, especially if you have some paint left over from a previous project.
You'll just to need to purchase a trellis panel and some wooden crates, but even these could be picked up on the cheap from second-hand sites or free local schemes.
What is the minimum size for an outdoor kitchen?
If you have a particularly wee outdoor space, you might be thinking that an outdoor kitchen isn't for you. But this clever mini outdoor kitchen idea, has a super-small footprint of just 80cm wide by 120cm tall by less that 35cm deep!
Obviously you'll need to factor in space for a small piece of best garden furniture to actually enjoy the alfresco dining experience, but even an outdoor space with such small dimensions can enjoy a meal in the sunshine.
