How To Create an Outdoor Kitchen On a Budget

Utility Carts

Putting in countertops and an island can be expensive, but having prep space is super important. So, save on the island and use a kitchen utility cart instead. The Unity XL Kitchen Cart has a stainless steel top and the rest is made from a durable resin. It includes two sidebars for paper towels, a holder with four hook hangers, a spice rack, as well as a bottle opener. So, you won’t have to bring as many tools in and out of your house; they’ll all be right at your fingertips. It also has 54 gallons of sealed storage as well as 24 gallons of open storage. So, you’ll have space to prepare, present and even eat if you’d like.  

If you’re looking to keep your drinks cool on a hot summer day, you can get the Patio Cooler and Beverage Cart. It has a perfect place to store ice, cans, and bottles–as well as a pop-out shelf if you need a little more room to make cocktails. The cart is also on wheels so it can be easily moved around as needed. When you’re done using it, it also has a drainage system that will make cleaning up a breeze. It’s a must-have for any outdoor kitchen that is used for entertaining.

In addition, all of Keter’s carts are durable and weather-resistant. So, they won’t fade, rot, rust, or peel–even when they’re left out in the elements. This means no maintenance to take care of–you just need to worry about cooking your favorite foods and enjoying time with friends. Most importantly, though, it’ll save you money to use one of these carts instead of installing permanent and pricy fixtures.



Grilling It Up

There are so many types of grills on the market, it can be hard to know what to get. Grills can be pretty expensive too if you’re not careful. While a good quality grill is an important part of an outdoor kitchen, avoid falling into the trap of spending too much. Research the best grills and ask your friends what grills they have and love. Compare everything and find 3-5 grills you like that have good reviews, fit in your space, and are within budget. If you shop carefully and can figure out when the grills might be on sale (we’re looking at you, Father’s Day), you might be able to pick up a nice grill for a bargain.



Find Multiple Uses for Your Furniture Pieces

One thing that can make a big impact on your budget is using pieces of furniture in your outdoor kitchen for multiple purposes. For example, you could use the Unity XL Cart for prep. However, you could also simply clean it off when you’re done cooking, and have your guests use the cart as a table. Another example of this might be utilizing a storage bench for outdoor kitchen seating and storage for your supplies. The less you have to buy, the less money you’ll need to spend to have a great outdoor kitchen space. Plus, if you do this, you might be able to splurge on a few additional items that might have otherwise been outside your budget.



Use Solar-Powered Lighting

There are many outdoor lighting options on the market that would look amazing in an outdoor kitchen space. You probably don’t want to scrimp too much on the lighting since you need to be able to see what you’re doing (even in the evenings). You can also save a bit on electricity and lighting by simply installing solar-powered lights. It might cost a little more to get the lights up front, but since they’re solar-powered, they’ll save you money. In addition, if your power ever goes out, you’ll still be able to make dinner from your outdoor kitchen.



Grow Your Own

Another great way to make a great outdoor kitchen on a budget is to create your own herb garden. By growing your own herbs, you won’t need to buy them and your food will taste so much fresher. If you need a space to grow all of your favorite herbs and spices, consider growing them in the Easy Grow Planter. It’s easy to assemble and small enough that it won’t take up too much real estate in your new outdoor kitchen. The planter also features a watering and drainage system and can be moved indoors in the colder months. This means fresher herbs and spending less money.

Did you know you can also easily grow your own vegetables to cook in your new outdoor kitchen? That’s right. Pick a few of your favorites and study the growing cycles for those types of vegetables. Once you know what you’d like to do, get some raised garden beds to plant the veggies in. The garden beds are sturdy and also have a beautiful look. So, they’ll look amazing while helping you cultivate the freshest produce for your new outdoor kitchen space.

There really are some things you shouldn’t scrimp on when it comes to your outdoor kitchen. However, all of the pieces mentioned above would make great budget-friendly options compared to having a contractor come out and build you an outdoor kitchen from scratch. All of Keter’s pieces are also durable and weather resistant so you won’t have to replace them as much as you might have to replace other pieces after they’ve been exposed to the elements for a while.