FunCycled - Interior Design, Kitchen Cabinet Painting, Furniture Repurposing in Upstate NY

Outdoor Kitchen Ideas – Shed Style

Meg Booth — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:05:00 +0000

Well, ‘outdoor kitchen ideas’ is certainly a broad topic, but definitely worth exploring! No matter the time of year, it seems likely that our minds are ever wishful for springtime. And it seems that even with the faintest glimpse of spring emerging, we begin to feel the outdoors beckoning us. But what if you don’t have the kind of space that allows you to really enjoy the outdoors? You may feel like you are missing out.

My suggestion is always to find ways to maximize what you have and use that place as a jumping point for something new! For example, if you have an existing shed (or are planning to get one), adding an outdoor kitchen or kitchenette to the design is a great way to capitalize on what you already have and enhances a simple space for relaxation and entertainment! Ready to be inspired? Let’s dive in!

The Basics: Outdoor Kitchen in a Shed

True, not all sheds are equal in size, but a common denominator among them (when given the right impetus) is that ALL have the potential to be transformed into additional living space right in your own yard! Using this additional space for a small (or even large, depending upon your shed) kitchen is a great option, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Let me answer some basic questions to get things moving!

Can I put a kitchen in a shed?

The simple answer is YES, you can add a kitchen in a shed. Depending upon the type of appliances and how involved your design plan is, you may need to get permits. Always check with your local municipality or town to ensure you are in accordance.

Can I put a stove in my shed?

Having a stove in your shed is a possibility, but if you don’t plan to really use it that often, you may want to skip this. Provided you have included a power source for your kitchen area, you may want to opt for a small electric stove top or hot plate.

Do you need ventilation in a shed?

For any shed, there will be the option of keeping the door open, of course. But, I recommend purchasing or building a shed that will accommodate at least two openings across from each other to get a breeze. You will definitely need to consider further ventilation if you plan to outfit your shed with a kitchen that includes a stove or range of any kind.

Can you hook up electricity to a shed?

Yes, you can add electricity to your shed. You can consider having solar panels installed or even using a portable generator, but if you are considering adding a kitchen or making a lot of use of your shed with power tools, the best option is to run underground wiring from the shed to a breaker box. It will take a little more planning and time, but it is well worth it.

Rustic Charm Meets Functionality in Shed Kitchens

The concept I have created is exactly this – rustic and functional. You can see in my inspiration photo that this shed design is really outfitted with a kitchenette – sink, prep space, dishes, and simple storage for the main kitchen essentials. Depending upon your own wishes, budget, and space, you could easily add a small to medium refrigerator under the counter or on an opposite wall. Additionally, if you have the space and proper ventilation, you could easily add a cooktop or even a range.

This is the kitchenette inspo I created through AI.

While your idea may be sparked by an image you see, the next step is to begin fanning that spark and flaming the idea into a plan. Here is a quick guide to get you going:

Decide what you want – are you looking to have a space for cold beverages and quick snacks? What type of surface will you need – prepping food, cutting flowers? What items will need to be stored? Are there colors that you want to use?
Make a (preliminary) design plan – now that you have a focused idea of what you want, take a few minutes to get a basic design plan together. This should include a rough layout and maybe some color ideas.
Measure your space – after assessing what you want, it’s time to gather the measurements, so you can begin compiling your plan.
Start sourcing – begin to source the materials you will need and contact any professionals who might be needed to complete the project.

My Rustic Shed Kitchenette – Below I am sharing some of the products that are part of my outdoor shed kitchen inspiration.

Brass Knobs for Cabinets

William Morris Artwork

Ceramic Rustic Pitcher

Rustic Bread Board

Next Level Shed Kitchen Design

#1 Incorporating Natural Elements into Your Shed Kitchen Design
I love incorporating natural elements into all of my designs! And even though your shed is already outdoors, here are a few ways to level up nature into this design!

Add linen or cotton cafe curtains to a window. This will add charm and echos the beauty of the natural setting!
Plant a container garden just outside the shed. Having fresh herbs, veggies, or fruits ready to go for quick snacking and prepping will save time, plus it adds a touch of color!
Using live edge shelving inside your shed mimics the organic lines of nature and doubles as storage. Love when form meets function!

Farmhouse Cafe Curtains

Container Garden

Live edge Shelves

#2 Lighting and Ambiance: Setting the Mood in Your Outdoor Shed Kitchen
The right lighting is a key ingredient to all good design, and just because a shed (with kitchen or otherwise) is outside, does not mean this should be overlooked. Actually, having the right lighting is practical and can really elevate your shed design.

Add sconces on the exterior

Farmhouse Outdoor Sconce

White Outdoor Sconce

String lights and solar powered garden lights will add a soft glow in the evening.

LED String Lights for Outdoor

Solar Garden Lights

Concluding Thoughts for Your Outdoor Kitchen

Remember, some of the best realities start with a spark of inspiration. An outdoor kitchen may have seemed out of reach to you, but I hope today’s blog has shed some light (haha!) on taking a spark and fanning it into a robust flame, or in this case, a beautiful and functional outdoor kitchen!

For additional ideas and inspiration for your outdoors, check out my blog on our own outdoor retreat, linked up below!

Need Some Help Putting Your Ideas Together? Schedule an Appointment with Us!

We are here to help. Reach out to our team at FunCycled by contacting us today, or go ahead and schedule your 1 Hour Interior Design Appointment today. It would be a pleasure making your house feel just like your home!

Schedule a 1 Hour Design Consult

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture.

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations.

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Designing My OWN Backyard Retreat: an Update on the Repurposed Ideas House!

Meg Booth — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Hi friends!

Last Spring, after completing all of the inside projects at our farmhouse (lovingly referred to as our Repurposed Ideas House), we embarked on the outside portion of the house. I love this old farmhouse which was built in 1802, and I love that our home is situated on 2+ acres of land. In January of 2019, we bought this house with a 5 year plan in mind. We were going to renovate everything top to bottom (essentially flipping it) and then sell it. Well, last spring we finished renovating everything, including a small portion of the outdoor area, but there was one problem…We fell in love with our little homestead!

Since we decided to stay put for now, we made the choice to add onto the outdoor patio and do some extra work on the exterior that we probably wouldn’t have if we were just flipping it. The land is beautiful, but we weren’t enjoying it because there was no real space to do so. It was time to create a space where our family could enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and take full advantage of the serenity that comes with our property. Well the project is NOW complete, and I can’t wait to share it with you! Here it is!

To see more about our Repurposed Ideas House and the projects we have completed over the last five years, visit here.

So we added a stamped concrete patio, gazebo, outdoor dining, and my husband, John, built an outdoor fireplace and kitchen area. He did such a fabulous job! I’m so impressed by what he can do without ever having done it before. Was it worth it?! Yes

We have already enjoyed teen worship nights, a party in the rain with over 75 guests, intimate convos with groups of friends, and Saturday morning breakfasts or mid week dinners with just our little family of 4. There’s something magical that happens around the fire! Take a look at the detail of the counters.

Oh, and our oldest chicken, Rosemary, kept getting in the pictures, so I decided to give her a little solo shot there, too! She’s a diva, and we all love her!

I don’t have a full before photo (one that was taken before we put the patio and gazebo up last Spring), but I do have a picture of phase one-last year’s outdoor patio and gazebo. Check it out below. Oh, there is our sweet June, making an appearance!!

Because we have done this project in phases and some of the items were purchased as sort of “one of a kind” items, bought at Homegoods, or have since been discontinued, I don’t have exact product links to share with you, but I have pulled together some similar items and shared them below. Note, some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Amazon Gazebo Option One

Amazon Gazebo Option Two

Amazon Modular Sectional

Amazon Dining for 6 with Rope Chairs

Amazon Tall Planter Box

Patio Rockers

I’m so happy with how this turned out, and I hope it inspires you to get outside and enjoy the outdoor space at your home!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)