DIY Hot Chocolate Stand

This project was so much fun. Want to learn more? Keep reading about our DIY hot chocolate stand build and how you can build one just like it.

Wooden beverage bar, hot chocolate stand, lemonade stand, built in backyard.  Decorated with vase, flowers, pitcher and glasses. Swimming pool and outdoor fireplace in background.
Build your own budget beverage bar project in just a few hours

Here we go again

The DIY bug hit us again here at Backyard Flare. This time we stepped outside the cinderblock and mortar world and we used a bit of wood. A few years ago we built a DIY beverage bar, and we used it primarily as a hot chocolate stand in the fall and winter months and as a lemonade stand in the spring and summer months. It was also used in craft fairs and weddings as a prop and for a decorative cool vibe. Friends and family would also borrow it all the time to use in their events and parties.

That first stand was really well built and it disassembled and broke down to a pretty small footprint for storage. Several carriage bolts held the bar together and it had a lot of structural integrity. A teacher friend ended up buying it from us to use as her desk and a focal point in her elementary school classroom, so we decided to build another one.

We Built it Again

Wooden beverage bar, hot chocolate stand, lemonade stand, built in backyard.  Decorated with vase, flowers, pitcher and glasses. Swimming pool and outdoor fireplace in background.

This time, though, we documented the entire build with tons of detailed pics and we created a very comprehensive DIY construction plan for you. The plan has diagrams and the detailed pics that show you and written instructions that explain the build process. We are so proud of how it turned out and I’m sure these photos will show how well it was built. You can build one too as you follow along the 50 pages of DIY step by step plans. Yeah, I said it right. The plan is 50 whole pages.

We started our stop watch at the beginning of the construction and we turned it off when the build was complete. The build time from start to finish was a mere 7 hours on a Saturday morning and afternoon. My wife and I used the backyard patio as the build site as we didn’t need a huge area to work in.

You Ready to Build One Too?

Wood laying in a stacked fashion on a flagstone patio next to a house patio post.  Outdoor furniture is next to the wooden fence slats.
We picked out some really nice pieces

The comprehensive DIY construction plan includes a materials list for everything needed to build this exact bar. Everything was purchased at Lowes and we confirmed that our local Home Depot had the same size pieces of wood available too. The best part is that we only spent $170 for all the materials used. Yep, all of it. Really, that’s all. Hard to believe; we know.

Tools and materials used to build a DIY lemonade stand, hot chocolate stand, beverage bar.  Tools are on a wooden table.
Here are the tools and the supplies other than wood that we used

The tools list in the DIY construction plan also shows each tool used to build the bar, so you will know exactly what you’ll need, to do it the way we did. Most of these tools can be rented or even borrowed if you don’t have them.

Wooden beverage bar, hot chocolate stand, lemonade stand, built in backyard.  Decorated with vase, flowers, pitcher and glasses. Swimming pool and outdoor fireplace in background.
You even have a shelf inside the working part of the bar

Dimensions

This beverage bar weighs over one hundred pounds so it is not a tip hazard. The width is 48″ and the height of the structure is almost 7′ as designed. The scalloped topper added a ton of character to the stand and we can’t wait to use it.

For parties, we will use it in our backyard and in the winter months, we will use it for hot chocolate while people tour the Christmas lights in our neighborhood. It’s become kind of a tradition over the years. So much fun to interact with jovial and interesting people. And there’s no better way to do it than over a cup of steaming hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and whipped cream.

So Easy to Assemble and Disassemble

Wooden beverage bar, hot chocolate stand, lemonade stand, built in backyard.  Decorated with vase, flowers, pitcher and glasses. Swimming pool and outdoor fireplace in background.
It’ll fit in most cars when broken down. Super easy to store

From the broken down storage position, the hot chocolate stand is assembled in under 7 minutes and no tools are required. It’s all held tightly together using carriage bolts and wing nuts. So easy and fun. The best part is that it only requires one person to assemble it.

Do you have an event such as a festival, wedding, craft fair, etc… that would look great with this inexpensive addition? Or do you have a business or VRBO that would benefit from this budget but elegant build? We would love to hear what you are thinking.

Wooden beverage bar, hot chocolate stand, lemonade stand, built in backyard.  Decorated with vase, flowers, pitcher and glasses. Swimming pool and outdoor fireplace in background.
So easy for any level of DIYer

Please go to www.backyardflare.com for your copy of the beverage bar construction plan and start building today. The construction plan is only $24.99. We would love to hear from you.

IT’S ALMOST CHRISTMAS

Baby It’s Cold Outside… In Some Places, Outdoor Fireplace Time

DIY outdoor fireplace snow pima trees
Gotta dig a path to enjoy a fire!

Hey all you DIYer’s, are you looking forward to Christmas and the colder temps?  We sure are down here in Arizona.  We know we’re a bit spoiled though with the highs in the 60s still.  So much of the country is getting blanketed in snow and ice already, which makes us cringe at the thought of power losses and snow shoveling.  We came from that sort of weather so we know what some of you are experiencing.  You’ll get through it though, we’re confident of that.  Enter the DIY outdoor fireplace and outdoor kitchen possibility.  These are great Christmas ideas.

Douglas DIY outdoor fireplace snow pine patio backyard
Is this snow blanket going to keep the fireplace warm?

Your Christmas Ideas Wish List?

Christmas and the season of giving always brings about the challenges of traffic, shopping, and figuring out what to tell your loved ones to buy for you.  This year, when you sit on Santa’s lap at the mall, tell him you want to build your own DIY outdoor fireplace or outdoor kitchen.  He’ll know what to do.

Pima DIY outdoor fireplace fire christmas decorate wreath vase
What a warm feeling we get from this fireplace. Crackling fire and warm toes.

Santa will go online and he’ll visit www.backyardflare.com for great outdoor fireplace and outdoor kitchen design ideas.  He’ll pick out the perfect design for your backyard and he’ll surprise you with your very own DIY construction plan.  You’ll be able to get started on your backyard renovation.

Douglas DIY outdoor fireplace fire Adirondack log wreath patio backyard
Anyone care for a blanket and a beverage?

If you are not planning on sitting on Santa’s lap, just tell that special someone in your life that you want a DIY outdoor fireplace or outdoor kitchen in your backyard.  Tell them about Backyard Flare and that they are the only place to go for DIY construction plans.  What a gift for someone you love or to yourself for that matter!  Christmas ideas are everywhere but most don’t last a lifetime like an outdoor fireplace or outdoor kitchen will.

DIY outdoor fireplace fire wreath christmas light flower vase candle
How welcoming is this fireplace? They are so pretty when they are decorated for the holidays.

Call Us

And did we say that you can always call and talk to Dan from Backyard Flare for FREE?  Yep, he loves to talk “masonry” and “backyards”.  He spends time each day talking with homeowners about design ideas for their outdoor space, and he helps them manage their masonry fears.

Thanks for making Backyard Flare the one stop shop for the best DIY outdoor fireplace and kitchen construction plans.  It’s DIYer’s like you that make us feel special.  Have a great Thanksgiving and a wonderful Christmas.

We hope to hear from you and as always… happy building.

 

DIY in 2018

Oh, it’s cold, but let’s start planning for later

Hello all you DIY enthusiasts, time to get your mind wrapped around the “DIY in 2018” mindset.  It’s time to figure out what great projects you will be building.  Something indoors is always good when Jack Frost is still hanging around, but why not get started on designing your new backyard?

#diyin2018 #outdoorfireplace #outdoorliving #fireplace #diy #outdoorcooking #masonry #outdoor #backyardflare #backyardideas #outdoorkitchen #pizzaoven
Lots of seating surround this enormous fireplace and pizza oven structure.

Bring that outdoor living space to life and build a beautiful outdoor fireplace and outdoor kitchen in your back yard.  While you’re at it, add a pizza oven and a sitting area.  Cover the whole project in faux stone veneer and stucco with a matching paint color and get to living outdoors.

 

 

 

The new year brings great deals and lots of sales on grills, grates, outdoor furniture, and even building supplies too.  Grilling out during the super cold months of January and February probably aren’t optimal, but if you get the supplies and the plan ready, you can start building right when the weather turns for the better.

#outdoorfireplace #outdoorliving #fireplace #diy #outdoorcooking #diyin2018 #masonry #outdoor #backyardflare #backyardideas #outdoorkitchen #pizzaoven
Outdoor gas fireplace and pizza oven combo with lots of seating.

We here at Backyard Flare can help you with a great design and we can certainly work with whatever structure shape you want to achieve.  Give us the dimensions and space you have to work with and we will show you some great possibilities.  We will work with you along the way and you’ll stay involved during the whole process.  It’s a fun process and you’re in charge.

Have a great beginning to your 2018 and let us help you get into the “DIY in 2018” mindset.  Happy New Year and happy building.

 

Decorate For the Season

Create Your Christmas Fireplace

Oh my…the Christmas season is in full swing and decorations are being added to everything indoors.  Why not add some spice to the outdoors too?  Add some small things or even some big things to your fireplace and make it spectacular.  Some people add great decor to their structures and turn them into a “Christmas Fireplace”.  We have seen some spectacular outdoor fireplaces this 2017 Christmas season that we just have to share.

Outdoor Fireplace Christmas
Amazing reds and greens make this outdoor fireplace pop with the Christmas spirit.

Does it get much better than a decorated outdoor structure with signs of noel and joy?  I don’t think so.  Check out the mantel covered in red berries and a green pine wreath above it. With the vases full of flowers, this fireplace makes me want a warm glass of cider or some hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.

Outdoor Fireplace
Beautiful DIY outdoor fireplace decorated for the Christmas season

It doesn’t take much to turn an already gorgeous outdoor fireplace into a seasonal masterpiece.  Another wreath makes this fireplace step right into the Christmas season and the lighting overhead adds a lot too.   By adding reds and greens, as well as lighting and images of Christmas, you will turn a nice space into an even more welcoming space.

What are some of your holiday decorating ideas?  Write a comment and let us know and even share a picture of how you designed.  Thanks and we hope you have a great holiday season.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Care to add a DIY fireplace to your backyard?  Visit us at www.backyardflare.com for great information and ideas for your next project.