6 Outdoor Kitchen Design Ideas on a Budget

An outdoor kitchen spruces up your curb appeal and eases your work when hosting an outdoor event in your compound. However, many homeowners shy away from this home upgrade due to the cost involved and limited space.

The best thing is that you can create a stunning outdoor kitchen according to your budget and space. Here are remarkable designs for an outdoor kitchen on a budget.

Build an Outdoor Kitchen Next to the House

Putting up an outdoor kitchen close to your main house is cheaper than constructing one far away. It can be attached to the main house wall or right next. The aim is to make it easier to hook up utilities like plumbing and electrical, especially if you have a nearby hose and outlet.

Proximity to your house also saves you on additions, such as a full-size fridge and a sink. You can forgo them and use them at home or reduce installation costs. Also, if you build a kitchen far from the house, you must add more storage space. If your kitchen is near the house, you can solve that by sharing an indoor store.

Consider Low-Cost Utility Lines

Installing gas lines, plumbing, and electrical work can be costly. While you can reduce utility costs by building an outdoor kitchen near the house, there are more viable ways to avoid these expenses entirely. One of the best solutions is choosing lower-cost alternatives.

For example, you can opt for charcoal grills or gas barbecues to avoid gas lines. It can save you money on hiring installation experts and permits. Similarly, you can keep drinks in a drop-in cooler or ice chest instead of installing a wireline in the fridge.

Consider Portable Things

You can create a portable kitchen using an idle steel cart. In this case, you can move it for easy cleanup or wheel it away when not in use to create space. You can also choose an outdoor kitchen design according to your taste but consider portable components instead of built-in ones. Portable kitchens mean no construction costs.

Mark all the necessary spots, such as a grill station, storage space, food preparation, and cooking areas. Choose portable options rather than permanent ones. For example, you can create preparation tables and storage cabinets with wooden crates.

Place the crate on a flat surface, with the shorter part on the ground. Place a piece of plywood in the middle to create two cabinets. Then, you can use another piece of plywood or waterproof material to create a tabletop on the crate.

Go DIY Style with Your Outdoor Kitchen

If you have DIY skills and the necessary materials, you can design a custom outdoor kitchen instead of hiring people or buying a prefab one. The best thing about DIY is that it uses readily available materials like reclaimed wood, recycled stone, and other salvaged materials. Moreover, you can use free online tutorials to build your kitchen DIY.

An outdoor kitchen is a convenient home improvement that eases your life when hosting outdoor events and boosts your property's value. It is easy to install since you can DIY and save on hiring experts. Apply these low-budget designs to maximize the space.

Consider a Covered Outdoor Kitchen

If you build your outdoor kitchen in your backyard or patio, it would be best to protect it from harsh elements such as sun rays. An exposed kitchen depreciates fast, increasing maintenance costs. Some parts and appliances spoil faster from the alternating weather elements, requiring costly repairs or replacement.

Attaching the kitchen to your house is the most convenient and cheapest solution since the roof and walls offer protection without extra costs. Alternatively, you can opt for a gazebo, an awning, or a simple and stylish barbecue gazebo. This will protect your kitchen from snow, rain, and sun.

Consider an L-shaped Kitchen

The L-shape is a perfect outdoor kitchen design for a small budget and limited space. It is an excellent idea for idle space at the corner of a patio, deck, or small yard. You can apply DIY skills and salvaged materials to create your kitchen, including all the essentials, such as a cooking area and storage spaces.

Furthermore, to ensure the kitchen survives harsh weather, durable materials such as concrete for the countertop and cedar wood for the structure would help. The L layout accommodates a barbecue grill, pizza oven, and small fridge.

You can include storage cabinets in the structure and partition them with plywood. Most importantly, cover your kitchen to increase its lifespan. If it is away from the house, you can build a small shade to protect the area.