Can You Use Kitchen Cabinets Outdoors? Top Six Do’s and Don’ts

Can you use kitchen cabinets outdoors? The short answer is yes, but the more helpful answer is whether or not you should.

Generally, using indoor furniture for outdoor purposes isn’t a good idea. Manufacturers build indoor cabinets to hold up to minor issues like spilled drinks or food crumbs. Outdoor cabinets have far more to withstand like weather changes, extreme temperatures, and exposure to insects…among other things! However, it’s understandable to want to reuse kitchen cabinets that aren’t getting much mileage in the house.

We want you to make the best possible decision for your outdoor set-up. Below are three reasons to use your kitchen cabinets outdoors and three reasons not to.

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Three Reasons to Use Your Kitchen Cabinets Outdoors

While we don’t recommend using indoor furniture for outdoor purposes, there are exceptions! Using your kitchen cabinets outdoors can still be a worthwhile venture if you check off the boxes below. 

Your Kitchen Cabinets are Made Out of Suitable Material

Kitchen cabinets can be used outdoors if they have suitable material that can hold up to the elements. Double-check to see if your cabinets are made out of HDPE, a popular marine-grade thermoplastic.

HDPE is one of the best materials for outdoor set-ups because it eliminates maintenance and stress. It’s incredibly resistant to corrosion, so you won’t have to constantly buff out scratches and scuffs. Its inherent resistance to moisture means it won’t develop any mold or rust, either. If you have one of these tough cabinets languishing away in your kitchen, you’re good to go.

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You’re Willing to Put in the Work to Prepare Your Cabinets

Switching indoor kitchen cabinets to outdoors can be a fun home project as long as you’re willing to put in the work. Several common materials for indoor cabinets need extra protection to hold fast against sun exposure or moisture.

Wooden cabinets need thick coats of primer to prepare for a varnish layer. Varnish keeps your wood protected from moisture while also creating a lovely sheen. You’ll need to reapply this varnish every several years since wind, sunlight, and corrosion wears it off.

If you’re good with your hands and enjoy pouring yourself into an outdoor project, you’ll have nothing to worry about. 

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You Love the Appearance of Your Indoor Kitchen Cabinets

Last but not least, it may be a good idea to transfer indoor kitchen cabinets outdoors if you love their style. It can be hard to find a suitable replacement for antique or original designs!

However, it’s not impossible to find suitable outdoor kitchen cabinets to match your set-up. HDPE cabinets are a flexible material that can flawlessly recreate the look of modern or old-fashioned furniture.

Now let’s take a look at three major reasons not to use your kitchen cabinets outdoors.

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Three Reasons Not to Use Your Kitchen Cabinets Outdoors

When you buy outdoor cabinets, you need materials that won’t degrade under the force of sun, wind, and rain. Unfortunately, reusing indoor kitchen cabinets is often a better idea than reality.

Your Kitchen Cabinets Aren’t Built for the Elements

Kitchen cabinets are poorly suited for the demands of the outdoors. Since many are made out of wood, PVC, and stainless steel, they’ll run into issues the second the weather starts changing.

If your cabinets are made out of the following materials, we don’t recommend putting them outside:

• Wood
• PVC
• Stainless steel

Wood’s porous surface is a breeding ground for mold, humidity build-up, or insect infestations. If it has a painted surface, it’ll fade and peel from enough sun exposure. 

PVC is slightly better thanks to its mold and insect-resistant surface, but not by much. It still doesn’t like sunlight and is prone to getting scuffed easily.

Stainless steel is more sensitive to water exposure than you may realize. In fact, let’s take a look at all the steps you’ll have to take to transfer certain kitchen cabinets outdoors…

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You Don’t Want to Prep Your Indoor Kitchen Cabinets

Since kitchen cabinets often have incompatible materials for the outdoors, you’ll have to spend time and money making up the difference. This means lots of prep and ongoing maintenance.

For starters, wood is a highly porous material that constantly attracts moisture. Humidity build-up in cold weather can cause your wooden cabinets to expand from the inside, cracking and warping your purchase. You’ll have a hard time setting heavy objects on your cabinet and may have to contend with mold or insects appearing in neglected cracks. 

Applying varnish can protect your wood, but you have to reapply it every several years to maintain its strength. It’s also a complex process that requires you to measure out your varnish properly so your layer isn’t too thick or too thin.

PVC cabinets will warp and degrade under repeated sunlight exposure, which isn’t a great quality for outdoor furniture!

Stainless steel cabinets can also grow rust if exposed to water over a period of time. If you have a lot of rain or snow in your area, you’ll have to wipe down your cabinets constantly or keep them covered up.

The function of your indoor kitchen cabinets will also determine how compatible they are with your outdoor set-up.

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Your Kitchen Cabinets Aren’t Compatible With an Outdoor Kitchen

Kitchen cabinets designed for indoor furnishings may not be compatible with outdoor kitchens. Rarely do outdoor cabinets stand alone, often supplemented with grills and tables.

Wooden kitchen cabinets may catch fire if you’re not careful with housing your grills. Other kitchen cabinets may also be too small to hold the right amount of kitchen supplies or food. Even a PVC outdoor cabinet may warp when exposed to acidic liquids like lemon juice or vinegar. 

Instead of playing guessing games with your outdoor kitchen cabinets, consider tried-and-tested materials like HDPE or high-quality stone. 

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The Best Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets are Made From 100% HDPE

When wood is too sensitive to moisture and PVC too sensitive to the sun, all signs point to HDPE outdoor cabinets. This material is simply the most dependable no matter what’s thrown at it.

HDPE cabinets save you the headache by being suitable for all outdoor situations. They’re resistant to corrosion, so they won’t dent, scuff, or crack when handled roughly. Their marine-grade material keeps them resistant to extreme temperature changes and mold growth. Even better, there’s no need for exhaustive prep – they’re ready to be enjoyed immediately.

Our 100% HDPE outdoor cabinets have a lifetime warranty so you can spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying yourself. Get a quote today so you can build an outdoor kitchen that lasts.