Before and after: DIY fan transforms dead space in garden into compact outdoor kitchen
This patio has received a huge upgrade with this functional and compact outdoor kitchen space


An outdoor kitchen is a highly coveted garden feature that makes alfresco dining a breeze. Adding a small kitchen space to your garden is certainly no mean feat, but one DIY enthusiast has made it look easy.
There are loads of outdoor kitchen ideas out there to suit your space, and the good news is some of it can be made with some supplies from your local DIY store. Georgina and her husband have transformed a dead space in their garden into a stylish kitchen with a barbecue, plenty of worktop space and wood strip panelling.
Before
Fed up with a small BBQ looking lost and simply leaning up against the wall, Georgina and her husband got to work making their own outdoor kitchen. 'I have a huge love for interior design and found some inspiring photos on Instagram that I wanted to re-create, but in my own style,' Georgina tells us.
'To save money, my husband ordered some breeze blocks from B&Q to create the base himself, ensuring the BBQ (which was originally built on a stand from Asda) would fit in the middle.'
The pair then had the breeze blocks rendered, and the cupboards built out of cedarwood by local carpenter FK Carpentry. 'I wanted a sturdy worktop, so contacted a local stonemason Duncan Nuttell to create the gorgeous concrete worktop finish.'
They added their best BBQ and filled underneath with wood blocks to create a beautiful rustic finish. Overall the project cost around £1,500 (around $2,000).
It's a real luxury to have a kitchen outdoors for the warmer months, providing a space to welcome friends and entertain. There are plenty of outdoor heating ideas to keep you toasty as the temperature drops come evening too.
Such a functional outdoor area totally changes how you use your home, drawing you out into the garden and freeing up space inside. Plus, it's surprising how little space it really takes up.
After
Outdoor kitchens have long been popular in Australia and the US, and as the outdoor living trend gathers pace, we expect to see a lot more outdoor kitchens appearing across the UK too. This compact and no-frills example ticks all our boxes.
Want to take your outdoor kitchen to the next level and team it with a bar for the ultimate outdoor entertaining space? There's plenty of inspiration in our outdoor bar ideas.
Add a BBQ to your outdoor kitchen
Looking for a new BBQ for your outdoor kitchen? You'll find the best gas BBQ in our buying guide, or check out today's top deals below.
Our best-rated BBQs at their best prices:
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Millie joined Gardeningetc in early 2021. She loves creating a vibrant display of containers in her small urban garden and is always picking up new plants at the local garden center. She's never without some fresh flowers at home and her favorite houseplant is her variegated pothos that's currently climbing its way over her bookshelves.
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