Our DIY Outdoor Kitchen: From an Empty Patio Corner to a Finished Space
When we built our home, we made a lot of decisions about how we wanted each space to work. But finishing the house didn’t mean every corner was finished forever. Some projects take a little more time, and our outdoor kitchen was one of them!
We had a spot on the patio that could be doing so much more. We wanted to turn it into a useful outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, a beverage refrigerator, storage, and countertop space—all with a look that felt like it belonged with our home.
Start With the Space—and the Appliances
Before buying framing materials or cutting anything, measure the space you have to work with. Think about the finished depth, the countertop overhang, nearby doors, and how you’ll move around the kitchen when it’s in use.
We sketched the layout and researched appliance sizes first. The grill and refrigerator affect the cabinet openings, so those decisions need to happen early. Plan your storage doors at the same time instead of treating them as an afterthought.
For the refrigerator, we wanted an appliance designed for outdoor use. Having a covered patio didn’t change that priority—we wanted appliances suited to the environment where we were putting them.
Use the installation instructions for your exact appliances when planning the openings. The width listed on a product page doesn’t tell you everything about its required cutout, ventilation, or clearances.
Plan Gas and Utilities During Construction
One thing we’re especially glad we planned ahead was the gas line. When we were building our home, we roughed in the gas line during the framing stage, before the walls and finishes were in place. It took us three years to finally complete the outdoor kitchen, but having that line ready made the final installation much easier.
If you’re building or remodeling, think about future outdoor kitchen locations while the framing and utility work are still underway. Roughing in a gas line during construction can save you money compared with adding one later, when finished walls, patios, or landscaping may need to be opened up. Have the work planned and completed by a qualified plumber or gas professional, and follow all local codes and permit requirements.
Tape Out the Layout Before Building
Once we had a plan, we used painter’s tape to lay it out on the ground. We marked the overall footprint and the locations of the appliances and cabinets.
This is such a useful step because a drawing can look great on paper, but tape helps you picture the space at its actual size. Walk around it, think about opening the refrigerator and cabinet doors, and make any changes before you start building.
Our Outdoor Kitchen Materials List
These are the quantities from our project. Your list may change depending on the size of your kitchen, your appliances, and the installation requirements for your materials.
Adhesives and Prep
Painter’s blue tape: 1 roll
Liquid Nails glue: 2 tubes
Exterior-grade caulk: 1 tube; latex, acrylic, or polyurethane, rather than silicone, for the paintable joints
Silicone caulk: 1 tube
Wood putty: 1 small container
Sanding sponge: 1
Lumber and Panels
2×2 pine, 8-foot lengths: 8 pieces
Sanded plywood, 4×8 feet, approximately 3/8 inch thick: 2 sheets
Cement board, 3×5 feet, 1/2 inch thick: 2 sheets
James Hardie smooth fiber cement exterior sheathing, 4×8 feet, approximately 1/4 inch thick: 2 sheets
Metal Framing
Metal studs, 8 feet long × 2-1/2 inches wide: 2 pieces
Metal track, 8 feet long × 2-1/2 inches wide: 1 piece
Fasteners and Trim
16-gauge brad nails in assorted lengths: as needed
Drywall screws: an alternative recorded in our original materials notes
James Hardie fiber cement 1-by trim in assorted widths for the base and trim: as needed
Choose exterior-rated, manufacturer-approved fasteners for each material and connection. The fasteners recorded in our list aren’t a substitute for the panel or framing manufacturer’s requirements.
Finishes, Door, and Vent
Exterior paint primer: 1 gallon
Exterior finish paint: 1 gallon
Double stainless steel cabinet door: 1
Stainless steel island grill vent, 4×15 inches: 1 recorded in our materials list
The vent quantity above reflects our list. Determine the required vent area, number, and placement from your grill’s installation instructions.
Appliances and Countertop
Grill approved for built-in installation
Outdoor-rated beverage refrigerator
Granite countertop
Gas connection parts selected by a qualified plumber or gas professional
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How We Built the Outdoor Kitchen
1. Build the Cabinet Frames
We started with plywood and 2×2s to build the cabinet sections. Using the layout as our guide, we planned the openings for the refrigerator and storage, then assembled the frames.
Check for square and level as you work. Allow for the thickness of the exterior panels and trim so the finished openings will still fit your appliances and doors.
2. Build the Grill Section
The grill area needed a different approach from the wood cabinet sections. Our project used metal framing and cement board in this area.
Follow your grill’s requirements for the enclosure, support, clearances, and ventilation.
3. Add Support and Recheck the Openings
We added stiffeners where needed for support and fastening. Before closing up the base, check the appliance and door openings again and make sure you have the support required for the countertop.
Keep access to gas connections and appliance service areas in mind, too. You want the finished kitchen to be practical to maintain as well as pretty to look at.
4. Install the Exterior Panels
Next came the fiber cement exterior panels. Cut them to fit the cabinet sections and attach them using the manufacturer’s approved fasteners and spacing.
Keep the appliance, cabinet door, and vent openings clear as you work. This is where the individual frames start to look like one finished kitchen.
5. Add Trim, Cabinet Doors, and Vents
The trim helped give the base that built-in look. We used fiber cement trim around the base and exterior, along with stainless steel cabinet doors for storage access.
Fit the doors so they open freely, and install the enclosure ventilation required for your grill. Make sure neither the framing nor anything stored inside blocks the vents.
6. Prep, Caulk, Prime, and Paint
This part takes patience, but it makes such a difference in the finished result!
Fill the appropriate nail holes, smooth the filled areas, and clean away dust. Use compatible exterior caulk at the joints that need sealing, while keeping required drainage and ventilation openings clear.
Then apply exterior primer and finish paint according to the product directions, allowing the recommended drying time between coats.
7. Install Countertop
With the base ready, it was time for the granite countertop. Confirm the measurements, cutouts, overhangs, and support requirements before installation.
The countertop was one of the pieces that really brought the project together. Suddenly, the framed and painted base looked like an outdoor kitchen!
Money saving tip: buy a remnant for the countertop.
8. Install the Refrigerator
Place the outdoor-rated beverage refrigerator in its opening and follow its instructions for leveling and airflow. Keep any required ventilation space clear and leave access for servicing.
9. Connect the Grill
Because we had roughed in the natural gas line during the framing stage, the gas supply was already stubbed in at the grill location. Even though it took us three years to finish the outdoor kitchen, having that rough-in completed ahead of time helped us avoid the added cost and disruption of running a new line later.
Have a qualified plumber or gas professional make the final connection and perform the required leak test. The grill must be configured for the gas type being supplied. Coordinate its final placement with the installer so the connection isn’t strained when the appliance is moved into position.
10. Check Everything and Enjoy the Finished Space
Before putting the kitchen to use, check the appliances, cabinet doors, vents, and service access. Clean the countertop and surrounding area, then add your finishing touches.
After seeing it through all those building stages, getting to stand back and look at the finished space is the best part. There’s something so satisfying about knowing what went into it—and knowing we’ll get to enjoy it together.
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