With summer coming up, there's no better time to prep the garden ready for the kids to play – and one genius Instagrammer has created a dream mud kitchen for her little one to get messy in.
Claire Air of @our_home_on_sandridge enlisted her husband Paul to assemble a space for their daughter Wren to play last summer, and the creation has proved invaluable over the months since. Fancy taking on the project yourself? Here's how they did it.
- See more garden ideas in our gallery
The before
When lockdown hit the UK, Claire was keen to give Wren a space to play in the garden – and a mud kitchen was the perfect solution. 'We spotted a sink that had been dumped, and while it didn't spark the idea – we already knew we wanted to do it – it was one of those things that came around at the right time!' says Claire.
The process
First, Paul built the frame for the kitchen using 3x2 CLS timber, reinforcing the area where the sink was to go. With the sink in place, he then built a frame for the splashback, before boarding the back, sides and bench top with fence panels. In total, the materials for the build cost just £40.
The couple also added an 'oven', cutting the door to the right size using OSB board and fixing using standard hinges and a gate latch from Screwfix. They then sanded the structure down and painted it. 'We used Cuprinol fence paint in "Silver Copse" and a clear varnish for the rest of the wood,' says Claire.
- Keep reading: How to build a trellis with planter boxes
The after
Of course, no mud kitchen is complete without accessories and finishing touches. The couple added a hob above the oven using circles of fence panel, and used spare door handles for the oven knobs. 'To accessorise it, we used old pans we already had, and bought new plastic utensils from Asda,' says Claire. 'We nailed some letters up that we got from Matalan ages ago to spell out "Cub" – Wren's nickname is "Bear Cub".'
To finish off, Claire and Paul added a shelf above the work surface to display plants and patterned canisters. The result? A perfect little kitchen for kids to play in. Check out Claire's Instagram for the full tutorial as well as more brilliant ideas, including a DIY bed and office desk.
Join our newsletter
Get the best home decor ideas, DIY advice and project inspiration straight to your inbox!
Formerly deputy editor of Real Homes magazine, Ellen has been lucky enough to spend most of her working life speaking to real people and writing about real homes, from extended Victorian terraces to modest apartments. She's recently bought her own home and has a special interest in sustainable living and clever storage.
-
A DIY concrete table for $186 - here's how one creative homeowner pulled it off
A Facebook Marketplace find became an outdoor statement piece with a high-end look, and it's all thanks to an inexpensive concrete DIY.
By Brooke Waite Published
-
Instagram star Mik Zazon’s backyard renovation: From muddy mess to enclosed sanctuary
Instagram star Mik Zazon transformed the bleak backyard of her Columbus, Ohio home into a modern sanctuary for year-round outdoor living
By Grace Stetson Published
-
DIY scaffolding board decking: How to tackle this budget-friendly project for a high-end look
Scaffolding board decking is a stylish and inexpensive alternative to traditional or composite boards. Here's how to DIY at home.
By Jo Lemos Published
-
Real home: explore an 18th-century converted coach house
Theresa and Joseph Mankelow have breathed new life into an 18th-century coach house, creating a colourful and classic country-style home and garden
By Janet McMeekin Last updated