Building an Outdoor Kitchen Island: 5 Steps For Success

Step 1 – Plan Your Design

An outdoor kitchen is a great investment in your yard and home. With a little planning and the right materials, you can have a convenient, functional, and stylish cooking area in your own backyard.

It is important that the design of your outdoor kitchen fits well with the space you have available. If you have a small patio, you’ll want to make sure the design is compact and doesn’t take up too much space. Conversely, if you have a large backyard, you can go for a bigger, more elaborate design. DIY projects can be great for building an outdoor kitchen because you can tailor the project to your specific needs and style.

How do you make sure that the design of your outdoor kitchen island fits well with the space you have available?

Start by measuring the areas where you plan to build your outdoor kitchen island. This will help you determine the size and layout of your project. You should also consider the shape and elevation of your yard, as well as any existing structures or features like trees or slopes that can affect the placement and orientation of your island.

• What are the dimensions of your patio or deck?
• What is the shape?
• Is it level?
• What is the maximum weight that the deck or patio can safely support?

In my backyard, I have a large, level patio that has space to rearrange grills and patio furniture to fit the design I created.

Do I want my outdoor kitchen to be built-in or movable?

There are pros and cons to both built-in and movable outdoor kitchens. Some factors to consider when making your decision include:

1. Cost: Built-in islands are typically more expensive than movable islands.
2. Weight: Built-in islands are usually heavier.
3. Size: Built-in islands are typically larger and can provide more counter space and storage.
4. Functionality: Built-in islands are often more permanent and can be customized to your specific cooking and entertaining needs. Movable islands, on the other hand, offer more flexibility and can be easily moved around your outdoor space, as needed.
5. Maintenance: Built-in islands may require more maintenance than movable islands, as they are more exposed to the elements and can accumulate dirt and grime over time.

The best way to decide whether a built-in or movable outdoor kitchen island is right for you, is to evaluate your needs, budget, and available space. Once you’ve taken all of these factors into consideration, you can make a more informed decision about which option is best for your backyard.

My Outdoor Kitchen Island Design Process

For my backyard, I decided I wanted a movable kitchen island that had plenty of cooking space and storage for our BBQ items and outdoor pizza oven. I found a design that I liked from Pottery Barn, and I knew I could make something similar for much less.

When you’re planning a DIY project, it’s important to have a clear vision of what you want the end result to look like. This can be difficult to achieve if you’re starting from scratch, with no idea of what kind of design you want or what kind of features you need. In this case, looking at similar products online can be a helpful way to jumpstart the design process.

By browsing through kitchen design photos and product descriptions, you can get a better sense of what’s available and what might work in your own space. You can also get ideas for dimensions and layouts. I always do a lot of research before I start any project. The dimensions of the Pottery Barn piece I wanted helped to give me a baseline for height, depth, and width of my island.

Step 2 – Build the Base

What type of wood should I use?

Whenever you use wood for an outdoor DIY project, it is important to use weather-resistant wood. I chose to use redwood. Redwood is known for its strength and durability, and is often used for outdoor construction projects like decks, fences, and pergolas. It is also naturally resistant to weathering and decay, making it a low maintenance option for this project.

Base – Supplies Needed:

• 2 x 4 x 10 redwood (x8)
• 2 x 6 x 8 redwood (x2)
• 2 1/2” outdoor pocket hole screws
• Wood glue
• Brad nails
• 2 x 4 sheet of 1/4” sanded plywood
• 4” locking casters
• 5/16 x 1 1/2” lag bolts

Rip down 2x4s and 2x6s by removing 1/4” off each side. 2x4s will end up being 3” wide and 2x6s will be 5” wide.

Base – Cut List:

Free design plan below with parts labeled (A), (B), and (C).

• 2 x 4 – (A)
  • 52” (x 4)
  • 29” (x 4) – legs
  • 22” (x 22)
  • 7” (x 1)
• 2 x 6 – (B)
  • 52” (x 2)

Base Assembly:

• Drill 2 pocket holes into every board except the 4 legs. I used to use this pocket hole jig, but then my husband surprised me with this one – it is so fast and I love it!
• Using 2 1/2” outdoor pocket hole screws and wood glue, build the base using the free plan below.
• Space slats along the bottom approximately 3/4” apart.

Line inside of cabinet with 1/4” plywood secured with brad nails and wood glue.

Attach 4” locking casters to bottom of each leg. I add a block of wood to ensure all 4 bolts were securely fastened.

Add the 7” vertical face frame piece to prepare for building drawers.

Center drawer support– (A) 22”

Side drawer supports– (A) 22”

Important: Double-check all of your measurements before cutting wood. This plan is according to my cuts, and unless you have the exact same measurements, you pieces might be a little longer or shorter.

Step 3 – Build Drawers

The drawers need to be build according to your own measurements. For the drawer sides, I used 1/2” plywood cut in strips 6 3/4” wide. I will be doing a future blog post on building drawers and cabinet doors. Secure sides using pocket holes and wood glue.

For the drawer base, I used 1/2” plywood and attached it with wood glue and brad nails.

Drawer fronts- (C) When measuring for drawer fronts, measure the length and width of opening and subtract 1/4” from both measurements- This will be the size of your drawer front.

Drawer Slides – I used these 20” drawer slides

Step 4 – Concrete Countertop

Build the mold

Supplies needed:

• 4 x 8 sheet melamine
• 100% silicone (for all inside joints)
• 1 5/8” drywall screws

My finished concrete countertop is 60” long x 27” wide x 1 1/2” thick.

For a video tutorial on this mold, check out my Instagram highlights.

Pour the concrete

Supplies needed:

• 80 lb. bags of countertop concrete mix (x 3)
• 3.5’ x 7’ steel remesh (concrete support)
• Cement trowel
• Concrete mixing tub
• Rake
• Water

For a tutorial on pouring the countertop, check out my Instagram highlights.

After mixing concrete according to instructions, pour into mold.

Tips:

• This is a two person job– I tried to do it myself, but quickly summoned my husband to come help. Three people would be even better.
• I used a rake for mixing, and that worked really well.
• Mix 1 bag at a time
• Make sure wire mesh is completely covered
• This is a messy process, so dress accordingly.
• Place a plastic liner underneath to contain the mess.
• Use a hammer to tap out air bubbles around edges
• Shake form to release air bubbles
• Use 2 x 4 to remove excess concrete using a sawing motion
• Smooth with trowel
• Let cure for 3-4 days

Remove mold

I used this grinder to polish the top and sides. I started with a grinding wheel (that is done while concrete is completely dry). I then used these polishing pads to create a smooth, shiny surface that enhances the natural beauty of the concrete. It can also bring out the colors and patterns in the concrete that may be hidden under a rough or uneven surface. Additionally, polishing can make the surface more resistant to stains and scratches.

Since I am not a pro, I had some air bubbles in my countertop. I used this to fill the larger holes and them lightly sanded to smooth.

Step 5 – Finishing Touches

Paint– Valspar Defense in Satin tinted to Dark Kettle Black

I added a stainless steel paper towel holder to one side.

I added stainless steel hooks to the other side to hang BBQ utensils.

I added these stainless steel drawer pulls to the drawer fronts.

Here is the free building plan! Check out my Instagram for other DIY projects, ideas, and tutorials!