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Merbau feature wall with vertical garden

I just finished off a spring project, getting ready for the warmer weather in the coming months.

We have a water tank at the end of our back deck where we put our BBQ, I didn't find it unsightly, however I thought we could do something more with this space.

I was keen to have some extra storage, bench space for barbecuing and ideally a sink to wash hands etc.

I made the frame slightly higher than the water tank so that we wouldn't see it when finished. I also left a spot to include a vertical garden in the middle of the wall.

With merbau decking installed, it started to take shape, and just a ply backing where the garden will go as you won't see it.

And here's the final product...

I considered building an outdoor kitchen cabinetry, however I saw some IKEA outdoor cupboards and thought for the price they weren't bad and would save me a lot of time. I opted for the ones with the stainless steel top, and then did a hack by cutting a hole for the sink and tap (also from IKEA).

I also added some deck lighting to the Un-real Boston Fern vertical garden which I was pretty impressed at how easy it was to work with, cutting it to size for the recess in the wall.

Getting Bunnings to cut the merbau to size for me saved a lot of time and gave me cleaner cuts than I would have been able to achieve.

I'm planning on getting a new Family Weber Q (3200) with a new stand to replace our Weber Baby Q and rickety stand which has seen better days. (The Baby Q will then be used as our portable / picnic BBQ).

Hopefully this helps with some inspiration for a quick and easy outdoor kitchen area. I built this over a weekend, so it's pretty achievable, even for a newbie DIYer like me. Feel free to ask any questions.

Find more posts tagged with

Decking and Paving

Building and Construction

Barbecue

Landscaping

Fencing and Screening

Comments

Jason

Wow @weekenddiyer, what a brilliant result. I'm sure you will be spending loads of time entertaining friends and family using your outdoor kitchen now that the warmer weather has arrived. Many thanks for sharing your project. There will be many Workshop members who are inspired by your fantastic work.

Welcome to the Workshop community. We're really pleased to have you join us and trust that you'll get plenty of ideas and advice from other members. Feel free to post anytime you need assistance with a project or have something new to share. We have loads of clever and creative members sharing fantastic projects and helpful advice everyday, so you'll find plenty of like-minded people and will certainly fit right in!

Feel free to let me know if you have any feedback about how we can make Workshop even more useful to you.

Jason

MartyH

Awesome result. 👏

redracer01

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6493#Comment_6493

This is an amazing creation!

Kermit

Well done @weekenddiyer. I really like how you have mixed D.I.Y. with some cheap cabinetry. Sometimes it is cheaper and easier to buy something off the shelf and incorporate it into a design.

When it comes to replacing your BBQ, consider a Weber Genesis rather than a Family Q. They are worth every cent and would look great.

weekenddiyer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6516#Comment_6516

Thanks for the tip @Kermit - will take a look into these!

Bundaboy

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65408#Comment_65408

Very nicely done, and thanks very much for adding the links, that is really helpful. Cheers.

Bundaboy

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6516#Comment_6516

Hi @Kermit , If you don't mind my asking, which particular version of the Genesis range do you have?

Kermit

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65429#Comment_65429

No worries @Bundaboy, I've got this one - https://www.weber.com/AU/en/barbecues/premium-gas-range/genesis-ii-series/66015324.html

Cooking area is as big as most 4 burner barbecues, and it's wonderful to cook on. Stays on temp, very even heat right across the grill, awesome for low and slow cooking as well as a quick steak. It's also great to have it plumbed in so you never run out of gas, but you can get the same model for LPG.

Bundaboy

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95478#Comment_95478

@Kermit Very nice, thanks for that.

I have natural gas in the house but not out in the BBQ area, but I am thinking very seriously about having it plumbed out there - I have to look into what's involved, costs, etc. The one thing I have learned since buying this house is that absolutely NOTHING is straight forward LOL.

Thanks again.

ProjectPete

Great work @weekenddiyer and I like how you opted for the IKEA cabinetry/hacks. Sometimes the times/cost/effort just isn't worth building from scratch (as rewarding as it always is). Keep it up!

christo1

Hey mate have you got any sort of plans for these i would love to build this at my new apartment .. kind regards .. and what costs would I be looking at .. maybe a materials list if you have the time

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6747#Comment_6747

Welcome to Workshop @christo1. We're pleased you could join us and trust that you'll get loads of inspiration from our clever and creative community members, as well as plenty of helpful info and advice.

Let me tag @weekenddiyer so he is alerted to your question about whether he has any plans he could share and an idea of cost. Otherwise, if you'd like to create a new discussion and share some photos of your area, I'm sure members would be happy to assist with creating some plans of your own.

Thanks,

Jason

weekenddiyer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6747#Comment_6747

Hey @christo1. Happy to share the chicken scratch plans I did if you can make sense of them. To be honest the photos in the post would be more helpful. It's a simple frame made out of 35x70 treated pine (for outdoor use). I used marine grade plywood for the backing of the recess and gave me something to secure the artificial garden wall to. Then covered the frame in 140mm Merbau decking. The deck lights I linked in the post, I also used an outdoor weatherproof box by ARLEC to store the smart switch and powerboard in out of the weather.

The cost of the wall (including framing, decking, artificial garden, lighting, plumbing for sink) was $950. But this also included about $40 of bits I needed like countersink bit for the drill, blade for the jigsaw to cut-through stainless steel, you might be able to save here if you have these things.

The stuff from IKEA (2x cabinets, sink, tap) was about $600.

So all in around $1500 for the set up.

Best of luck with your project!

Itai

Hey @weekenddiyer

Great looking feature piece. I'm looking to do something similar in future (incl. Building a deck and patio).

Is that window on the left the main entrance of light into the living area? If so, how does the patio affect it?

What are the dimensions of your patio / deck. And what's the distance from the end of your deck to the wall on the right.

Also, do you know the height of the patio roof at the house, and then at the other end of the upward slope?

Thanks

Itai

weekenddiyer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6787#Comment_6787

Hi @Itai

Thanks for your feedback.

The window on the left is actually a large 6-stacker sliding doors that is about 6m long that runs the width of the deck. It's one of the main sources of light, however there is also a set of windows above it that are positioned above the roof of the deck area, so the living room still receives full light without the deck roof being an issue. Building the merbau wall didn't affect light coming in really as there was a water tank behind the wall already which would have blocked any late afternoon light coming in from that side.

The deck area is about 7m wide by 3m deep. The wall sits right on one end of the deck.

The height of the roof is about 2.1m at the house end and 2.5m at the end furthest from the house.

Best of luck with your project.

Itai

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65568#Comment_65568

Thanks for the response @weekenddiyer

Sounds like a pretty awesome Setup!

On my side, we will have a 1.8m door ... probably sliding, not sure it's worth putting bifold in a 1.8m space. Maybe?

We also have another 1.8m window right next to that which we want to convert to a serving window.

My concern is the door and window are the main entrance of light and sun to the Kitchen / Dining area, and are North facing. We have a fence around 3.5m from the window, and looking to put in a 3 x 6m deck with a 3x4m or 3x6m patio, with a 2.4m height. And the boundary fence is 1.9m high. I'm just worried that if I put a roof over, there won't be enough light. We could go clear corrugated plastic, but that's usually an eyesore 😋

Was actually think of using this semi-permanent gazebo structure from bunnings, which has a louvre roof built in so we can allow light through ... if only it was electric!

https://www.bunnings.com.au/mimosa-3-x-4m-white-portsea-louvre-semi-permanent-gazebo_p0124008

We will install that to the floor, so that it is 2.4m high (the overhang of the roof is only 2.45m). And then build the deck around it, but that means we'll probably lose a good 20-30cm under it from a standing height perspective. So need to look into that!

Regards

Itai

weekenddiyer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95552#Comment_95552

Sounds great @Itai ! If you could go bi-fold with the space it will make it feel more open I guess. Not sure how they compare with stackers in price.

yeah I hear what you’re saying. I guess also you might want to extra shade from the north facing sun when you’re out there in summer too, saves letting even more heat into your living room / kitchen. I reckon you’re into something with the louvres. Electric would be amazing but i reckon would add a lot to the cost also. Just think about how often you’ll use it and whether it’s worth it (it might be, or might not). I put electric roller blinds along the 6m back window (3 of them that all sync up on one remote). My wife said it was a waste of money at the time and then said to me last week she’s so glad I talked her into getting them, she couldn’t imagine pulling the cords up and down twice a day for each of the 3 blinds. It was well worth the $400 or something difference.

Itai

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114366#Comment_114366

Interesting about the roller blinds. The house actually has external aluminimum roller shutters throughout ... though upgrading the 1.8m window to a door and the other 1.8m to serving means I will need to remove the roller shutters. Good point about the heat of the sun though, never thought of that!

Jay8

Hi, love the merbau wall but also love the cabinetry. We have a single fridge which we would love to encase or put next to something like what you have there. Can you buy that anywhere?

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6800#Comment_6800

Thanks for joining in the discussion @Jay8. Let me tag @weekenddiyer so he is alerted to your question.

A very warm welcome to the Workshop community. We're really pleased you could join us and look forward to reading more about your projects and plans. We have members sharing helpful advice and inspiring projects every day, so please feel free to post anytime you need a hand or have something to share.

Jason

weekenddiyer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6800#Comment_6800

@Jay8 not that I’ve seen. But some bar fridges like the ones from come with a benchtop integrated into them.

SthCoastBuilder

You can't hook a sink waste to storm water. It has to run to sewer. Storm water runs into creeks and rivers that eventually lead to the ocean therefore your polluting the waterways. Your council would love to know your illegally running a sink into the stormwater. fines apply

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/7167#Comment_7167

Thanks for joining in the discussion @SthCoastBuilder and sharing your knowledge and experience. We look forward to reading more of your posts soon and appreciate the information provided, but would also like to give a friendly reminder of our Workshop rules of participation which remind members to always show respect to all.

Welcome to the community and thanks again,

Jason

weekenddiyer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/7167#Comment_7167

Hi @SthCoastBuilder - you're quite right... excuse the typo, I meant to say sewerage. The plans were approved by our local council, so there won't be any surprises there.

Senator

Well done looks awesome!!

TerryN

That looks great.What an improvement to the area.Terrific job.Regards Terry.

Jocando

What a great prodgect looks great well done. Hopefully we can do as well with ours thanks for sharing.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/10795#Comment_10795

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Jocando. It's fantastic to have you join us and many thanks for jumping into the conversation.

Let me mention @weekenddiyer so they are alerted to your kind feedback. This Merbau feature wall with vertical garden continues to be one of our most popular projects within the community. I trust our members will be more than happy to provide assistance and advice with your own version. Did you have any plans which you could share with us?

We look forward to hearing more about your project and would encourage you to let us know if you need any assistance or would like to share it with us. I'm sure you'll find loads of inspiration within the community, just like this project, as our creative members are contributing their ideas here all the time.

Mitchell

billybob

this is everything I need to cover a big fat water tank it looks amazing unfortunately I can’t do it my self so would need a handy man to make it for me .

can you please tell me how much the materials cost you

thanks .Tina

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/10866#Comment_10866

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community Tina @billybob. It's great to have you join us and many thanks for your question.

Let me mention @weekenddiyer to see if they kept a record of the cost for this project.

We look forward to hearing more about your project and we'd encourage you to let us know if you need any assistance or would like to share it with us. I trust you'll find loads of inspiration within the community as our creative members are contributing their projects here all the time.

Mitchell

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