Outdoor cabinets provide extra storage and organization for items used in yards, patios, and outdoor living spaces. With some planning and basic woodworking skills, you can design and build customized outdoor cabinets to suit your needs. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to successfully take on an outdoor cabinet project.
Choosing Materials for Outdoor Cabinets
When selecting materials for outdoor cabinetry, durability and weather resistance are key. The most common material options include:
Wood
Teak, cedar, and pressure-treated pine are good wood choices for outdoor use. Opt for higher grades that limit knots and imperfections. Use marine-grade outdoor wood glue for joints. Apply a protectant finish like polyurethane or marine varnish.
Plastics
PVC, polyethylene, and polypropylene plastics stand up well outdoors. Look for UV-inhibiting additives. Plastic laminates can provide a wood-like look. Use adhesives formulated for plastics.
Metals
Powder-coated aluminum and stainless steel won’t rot or rust. Look for thicker gauges. Use exterior-rated metal screws. Pay attention to finish warranty.
Concrete
Concrete is very durable but heavy. Use a GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) mix for lighter weight. Seal the concrete after curing.
Composites
Exterior medium-density fiberboard (MDF) contains resins that repel moisture. Polymer-coated wood composites like Trex are mold and mildew resistant.
Design Considerations for Outdoor Storage
Keep these factors in mind when planning your outdoor cabinet design:
- Intended use – Tailor the layout and storage options to the specific items you want to store. This could include pool supplies, gardening tools, grill accessories, patio cushions, or firewood.
- Size and proportions – Scale the cabinet size to the space available and your storage needs. Include any desired countertops or work surfaces.
- Weather protection – Overhangs, sloped tops, and seamless edges keep the interior dry. Ventilation also helps. Face doors away from prevailing winds.
- Access and circulation – Place frequently used items in easy reach. Allow adequate room to open doors and remove contents. Have storage flow logically.
- Security – Add locking doors and latching handles to secure hazardous or valuable items. Anchor cabinets to a wall or the ground.
- Aesthetics – Choose finishes and decorative details to coordinate with your home’s architecture and outdoor style.
Constructing the Cabinet Box
Follow these steps to build a sturdy cabinet framework:
1. Cut pieces to size
Refer to your plans to measure and mark all wood component pieces. Cut the panels to size with a circular saw or miter saw.
2. Assemble the frame
Attach the top and bottom panels to the side panels using exterior wood screws and waterproof wood glue. Check for square.
3. Install fixed shelving
Cut shelf boards to length. Position and attach with finish nails and glue. Place interior vertical supports as needed.
4. Add the back panel
Measure the interior back panel space. Cut plywood to fit, allowing a 1/4″ gap on sides for expansion. Attach with screws.
5. Attach face frame
Cut 2x lumber for the face frame. Miter corners at 45°. Attach the frame to cabinet front using finish nails or screws.
6. Caulk and protect
Seal all seams with exterior caulk. Prime and paint, or apply protective finish like spar urethane.
Building Cabinet Doors
Cabinet doors keep contents protected from the elements. Here are some door construction techniques:
Solid Wood Doors
Use exterior grade 3/4″ plywood with solid wood edge banding. Attach banding with waterproof glue and clamps.
Frame and Panel Doors
Construct a perimeter frame from 1×2 or 1×3 boards with a plywood panel set into the frame opening.
Louvered Doors
Assemble a frame and cut horizontal slots to insert angled slats. Allow 1/4″ gaps between slats for drainage.
Glass Doors
Use tempered glass cut to size and attached with rubber U-channels and stainless steel screws.
Plastic Laminate Doors
Adhere Formica or a similar laminate over plywood. Use exterior glue and trim the edges.
Metal Doors
Look for ready-made stainless steel or powder-coated aluminum doors sized for your cabinets.
Installing Outdoor Cabinet Hardware
Choose hardware designed to withstand weather:
- Hinges – Use exterior grade stainless steel hinges. Go with hidden hinges for a cleaner look.
- Pulls and knobs – Opt for brushed stainless steel or chrome. Recessed handles also work well.
- Locks – Install stainless padlocks, combination locks, or locksets rated for exterior use.
- Shelf standards – Metal standards with slots allow adjustable shelving. Use plastic clips or metal pins.
- Catches and supports – Friction catches, hydraulic supports, and magnetic catches securely hold doors shut.
Customizing and Decorating Cabinet Interiors
- Add interior lighting with battery-powered puck lights or low voltage systems. Use a switch or motion sensor.
- Paint the interior a light color for visibility. Use high gloss enamel for easy cleaning and moisture resistance.
- Install galvanized sheet metal on the back panel to organize tools and supplies with hooks and magnetic strips.
- Maximize vertical space with racks for spray bottles or sliding trays on shelves. Label for organization.
- Line bottom shelves with outdoor-safe liners or mats to corral loose items and provide cushioning.
Setting and Securing Outdoor Cabinets
Proper placement and anchoring keeps cabinets stable:
- Position on a flat surface of pavers, concrete, or compacted gravel. Level the area if needed.
- Secure to wall studs with lag screws through the back panel. Use plenty of anchors.
- Bolt cabinets together if creating a larger unit. Shim under cabinets to level.
- Attach cabinets to concrete with concrete expansion anchors and bolts through the bottom panel.
- Weigh down floorless cabinets by anchoring to poured footings or patio paver bases under the units.
Protecting Contents from Outdoor Elements
Utilize these tips to keep stored items protected:
- Keep doors and hardware tightly closed and lubricated to prevent water intrusion.
- Line interior bottom with peel and stick rubber matting to prevent moisture wicking.
- Use plastic bins or corrosion resistant containers to store metal tools and small loose items.
- Hang absorbent shower pouf inside door to collect moisture. Replace pouf regularly to avoid mold.
- Place moisture absorbing silica gel packs in cabinets to reduce humidity.
- Avoid storing fabrics, paper, or cardboard that can become damaged. Utilize exterior storage boxes.
- In cold climates, remove any items that could freeze and crack expanding water inside.
Maintaining Outdoor Cabinets
- Inspect cabinets regularly for leaks, cracks, and damage. Seal any openings or gaps as soon as possible.
- Routinely lubricate hinges and locks with silicone or Teflon spray made for outdoor use.
- Wash exteriors with mild detergent and soft brush. Avoid pressure washing.
- Apply fresh protective finish like polyurethane annually or as needed to renew water resistance.
- Replace deteriorated caulk, gaskets, or weatherstripping to keep the elements out.
- Make repairs promptly to prevent further damage. Sand and repaint any problem areas.
Outdoor Cabinet Ideas and Inspiration
Here are some creative ways to incorporate customized outdoor cabinetry:
Grilling Station
Build a cabinet base for your barbecue with doors to store tools and shelves to hold platters and supplies. Add a countertop and fuel storage drawer.
Poolside Storage
Keep pool toys, cleaning tools, and spare parts organized in a moisture-resistant cabinet near the pool. Use solid shelves to allow drainage.
Gardening Center
Design a potting bench with cabinets to keep soils, fertilizers, and garden tools handy but out of the elements. Add pegboard for hanging tools.
Firewood Bin
Construct an enclosed wood box with one side open to neatly store and season firewood. Use a metal mesh screen back panel for air circulation.
Trash and Recycling
Hide away unsightly garbage and recycling bins in cabinets designed to hold cans and bags. Use surfaces that are easy to wipe clean.
Mudroom Lockers
Give busy family members individual outdoor storage cubbies for shoes, gloves, and sports equipment that can be customized with their name or favorite color.
Final Tips
Building your own outdoor cabinets allows you to create storage customized to your needs and style. Ensure lasting results by:
- Selecting weather-resistant materials suitable for outdoor use
- Incorporating design features that protect contents from moisture
- Using durable exterior-rated hardware and construction methods
- Properly installing and securing cabinets in place
- Maintaining cabinets to prevent deterioration
With proper planning and construction, DIY outdoor cabinets can provide years of function and enjoyment while adding beauty to your outdoor living space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best materials to use for outdoor cabinets?
The best materials for outdoor cabinets are weather-resistant woods like teak, cedar, and treated pine, plastics such as PVC and polyethylene, metals including aluminum and stainless steel, exterior grade composites, and concrete.
How do you make cabinet doors for outdoor use?
Good options for outdoor cabinet doors include solid wood with weatherproof edge banding, frame and panel designs, louvered doors for ventilation, tempered glass, and plastic laminates adhered to plywood. Metal doors are also very durable. Use exterior rated adhesives, hardware, and finishes.
What kind of hardware should be used for outdoor cabinets?
Use hardware designed for exterior exposure including stainless steel hinges, pulls, shelf standards, and locks along with supports and catches made from stainless, chrome, aluminum, or durable plastics that won’t rust or corrode.
How can you customize the interior of outdoor cabinets?
Add lighting, paint the interior a light color, install tool organization and storage accessories, use wipeable liners or mats in bottom of cabinets, and incorporate racks, trays and bins for specialized storage needs.
What is the best way to mount an outdoor cabinet?
Secure cabinets by attaching directly to wall studs with lag screws, anchoring to a concrete slab with concrete expansion anchors, or bolting together multiple cabinets. Weigh down floorless cabinets by anchoring to poured footings or paver bases.
How do you protect cabinet contents from the elements?
Keep doors closed tightly, use interior liners and moisture absorbing products, store items in plastic bins or corrosion resistant containers, hang pouches to collect moisture, keep vulnerable items like fabric and paper in exterior boxes, and remove anything that could freeze and crack in cold weather.
What kind of routine maintenance is required for outdoor cabinets?
Regular maintenance involves inspecting for damage, leaks, cracks, and deterioration, resealing openings, lubricating hardware, washing exteriors, reapplying protective finishes, replacing weatherstripping, and making any needed repairs promptly.