The great outdoors and food just kinda go together, don’t they? Think camping, picnics, and of course, BBQ’s! So instead of schlepping all your food, dishes and cooking prep through the house over and over, how about making yourself an amazing outdoor kitchen or grilling station? The cook in your life will be out where the people are, and those who are helping with the prep won’t be stuck indoors. Ok, there is also that cool feeling of cooking outside. Don’t know what it is, it’s kind of a primal, survival deal. It just tastes better and feels oh so satisfying! So let’s do it! Tackle one of these DIY projects this weekend, and wait for the jealous ooo’s and ahhh’s from your guests!

Our feature project above, is a DIY outdoor serving center from ‘Build Something’. The tutorial has complete plans and cutting instructions. We love that this is made of cedar, and also the sliding top that can still be used as a counter when it’s open. And it’s a pretty piece of furniture too!

Wanna have everything you need to grill at your fingertips? AND have room to set things while you are at the BBQ? This DIY rolling outdoor island has complete building plans and instructions, from Elisha at ‘Pneumatic Addict’. This one has it all, and it rolls out of the way when not in use too!

 

This DIY grill station from Angela at ‘Unexpected Elegance’ is ah-mazing! Why? She not only made it practical, it’s pretty! She used stone veneer over a sheet metal frame that she created herself. A lot of value for a weekend project! Easy instructions with photos.

 

This patio cooler stand from ‘Eddie and Steph‘ is a great idea, with a short little tutorial. A DIY’er with some projects under their belt could take this idea and make it amazing! There is nothing worse than having to go inside every 5 minutes for more drinks!

 

Here is another idea straight from a Pinterest user… Using a dorm fridge to make an outdoor refrigerator in a really pretty box! (See similar project with plans at the end!)

 

These DIY outdoor concrete countertops are kind of a two parter… The actual concrete counter how-to is from ‘Kara Paslay’, but you will find a general tutorial on making a countertop for outdoors at ‘HomeDit‘. This is a more permanent outdoor kitchen design that can add value to your home.

 

From ‘Old World Garden Farms’ via ‘Hometalk’, this rustic outdoor summer kitchen is the perfect look for a farm style home. (Or one where you just want to add some rustic charm!) Photos and instructions. We are loving’ on that corrugated metal!

 

Our last two are from one of our favorite woodworker sites, ‘Ana White’. This BBQ built in was uploaded by one of her readers, and unfortunately they did not share which of Ana’s free plans they used! (You can search on the site though!)

 

This last one is a wooden cooler stand from ‘Ana White‘ done by ‘Birds and Soap, and this time, we found the tutorial to make this outdoor cooler project. Be sure to scroll down to find the drawings and plans. Which version would you make?