Outdoor Cabinets: What to Know

Storage space is generally at a premium in outdoor living spaces, so a cabinet system can make a lot of sense, especially if you plan to do a fair bit of entertaining and cooking on your patio or deck.

Your first task in planning an outdoor cabinet system is to determine the scale. Work within the size of your outdoor space, and remember that guests will need to be able to move through the space comfortably, accounting for tables, chairs and other furniture as well.

Once you've plotted out the size of your cabinet fixtures, you'll need to decide on style. There are endless options, but a good place to start is to determine if you want your cabinets to reflect the overall style of your home and the rest of your outdoor living space, or if you want them to be a unique design that adds visual flair. Either way, a range of finishes and styles are available at many home improvement stores, from wood to plastic to stone, and you should have no trouble finding a style that suits your design aesthetic.

Lastly, you'll just need to decide who's installing your cabinets. You can do it yourself and save money (but you'll need some expertise) or you can hire a contractor to install your outdoor cabinets—this will cost more but you'll likely end up with a sturdier and longer-lasting end product.

See also: Deck and Patio Design Ideas