DIY Outdoor Kitchen – Incredible Before & After Transformation

Welcome to our DIY Outdoor Kitchen Tour – Before and After. It’s so exciting to be sharing our Outdoor Kitchen with you today. You will see how a dilapidated cabin was transformed into an incredible alfresco entertaining area for friends and family.

How To Make An Old Cabin Into An Outdoor Kitchen?

So, let’s get this tour started! In order for you to truly appreciate what this area was like before, some before photos would help.

This property, known as The Ponds, has a long history, and my husband and I have been working to restore it to its former glory for over 12 years. Therefore, the first DIY project transformed this dilapidated cabin into an entertaining outdoor area.

Before –
The cabin was very dilapidated, as you can see. The only salvageable item was the screen door.

The cabin was originally a cinder block structure that my dad built in the mid-1950s. You can easily see why it was thought to be beyond repair. The above photo shows the cabin’s condition from 12 years ago. Just ignore that photographer in the mirror! LOL

Fortunately, the idea for an outdoor kitchen took form before the structure was torn down.

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DIY Outdoor Kitchen – Before & After

Here is a photo of the DIY outdoor kitchen just after the original renovations were first completed.

Demolishing the front of the building was the first order of business.

Next, the treated 6×6 posts were added to support the pergola-style roof. At this point, the Ponds property was just being used as a weekend getaway. However, we still entertained in this rustic setting.

Notice the screen door now hangs on the wall of the outdoor kitchen.

Unfortunately, the pergola-style roof provided no shelter. So a metal roof was added to the rafters a few years later.

As a result, the DIY Outdoor Kitchen can now be used without worry of inclement weather. In addition, a couple of sets of string lights were added to create subdued lighting for evening entertaining.

The Interior View – DIY Outdoor Kitchen

As we continued to re-purposed the old cabin as an outdoor kitchen, a search began for a vintage refrigerator. As luck would have it, a 70-year-old Hot Point Refrigerator was gifted to us; believe it or not, it still runs perfectly.

Stainless Steel Cabinets and a DIY concrete counter top create a perfect serving area when we entertain.

Also, in keeping with the vintage theme, a cast iron sink was rescued from a antique shops back yard and refurbished to add to the outdoor kitchen.

We added this DIY Vintage Inspired Sign, and I shared this full tutorial.

The Patio Outdoor Entertaining Area

Because we love to entertain, a concrete pad was added to expand the seating area and include a fire pit.

Therefore, more tables and chairs were added, which are all interchangeable.

This allows the seating arrangement to be adjusted according to the number in attendance.

Since the expansion, the casual entertaining area has been used to host an engagement party, a wedding, birthday celebrations, and much more.

Today’s theme is a refreshing summertime afternoon.

Watermelon served on terra cotta saucers with sparkling water served in fun Bee Glasses.

The Refreshment Bar – Before & After

Also adjacent to the patio area is a refreshment bar built using rock gathered from the property and cedar posts pulled from the pond.

The posts were the base of the original pier, and because they were perfectly preserved due to being underwater, we added them to the front of the bar.

The refreshment bar was originally a small boat dock that was no longer in use. Therefore, the stone was laid for a foundation.

Next, an awning and fun string lights were added to update the original structure cover. Also, the bar area allows for more seating when entertaining in an alfresco style.

We recently updated the awning with old slate roofing tiles and a concrete countertop.

Before – Boat Dock

Can you locate the refreshment bar in the photo below?

As you can tell, this area was completely overgrown before the outdoor kitchen and entertainment area was completed.

The Tablescape

Today’s tablescape is a fun mix: a jute table runner, bamboo plates, and terra cotta saucers,and napkins, and sparkling water served from fun Bee Glasses.

We are serving watermelon with Sea Salt on Terra Cotta Saucers just for fun.

In addition, the interior tables and chairs are nestled together and styled with a macrame table runner and fresh herbs today.

My aunt’s original vintage Victor Junior Wood Cook Stove is a great serving area and is also great for storage.

You may also notice the boiling pot, which gets a workout annually at our Low Country Boil Party! Check out this chippy addition to the outdoor kitchen from a recent thrifting trip.

My husband loves to cook for our guests. As a result, he has a multitude of cooking tools in the homemade outdoor kitchen, which include the boiling pot, a DIY wood-fired smoker (he built from an old grill), an electric smoker, a grill, and a pizza oven.

We recently added string lights to this outdoor entertaining area and the tutorial can be found here.

Evening View

Once the sun starts to sink behind the mountain, the patio entertaining area becomes even more enjoyable!

As you can imagine, the fire pit becomes a favorite spot once a fire is started and marshmallows and roasting sticks magically appear.

Many fun gatherings have ended, sitting around the fire, eating sticky sweets, and laughing with friends.

In conclusion, this is the perfect spot to end the day.

It is hard to believe how much has changed here at The Ponds over the past 15 years. It was fun to reminisce and see the old photo’s again. We are constantly in project mode, so take a look at some additional outdoor inspiration.

Resources

More Outdoor Projects and Outdoor Kitchen Projects

• 7 Vintage Outdoor Kitchen Decor Ideas
• Outdoor Kitchen Easy 4th of July Table
• DIY Greenhouse/She-Shed Tutorial
• Amazing Outdoor Kitchen DIY Metal Utensil Holder
• Best Outdoor BBQ Setup
• How to Host A Low Country Low Party
• DIY Vintage Inspired Sign for outdoor kitchen

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the DIY Outdoor Kitchen Entertaining Area—Before & After as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Please feel free to leave your comments and questions below.

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