We are making some updates to our outdoor space and this project was a quick refresh that we tackled in just a few days. If you’re looking for a relatively easy home project, definitely give this DIY patio grill paver pad a try. So keep reading to learn more about how we built an outdoor kitchen patio grill station with pavers to spruce up your backyard in no time!
Materials
Pavers of your choice (We used different sizes of Pavestone RumbleStone from Home Depot)
Paver base material (usually gravel or crushed stone)
Paver sand
Edging stones and edging spikes (optional)
Polymeric sand (We used EZ Sand Tan Polymeric Sand)
String and stakes
Tools
Shovel
Wheelbarrow
Level
Broom
Plan & Prep
As with any home DIY project, take some time to plan out the materials, dimensions and style of your patio grill station. We decided to install it just wide enough for our Blackstone grill only, so it was a relatively small build.
We measured out the area between the house and the walkway where we wanted to install the pavers for grill pad (you could mark it off with stakes and string if you’d like). Then we did an estimate of how many pavers we would need. It would have been easier to get pavers of the same size but to create a more visually appealing pattern, we chose large rectangle, square and brick-shaped pavers.
Prepare the Site
We started by clearing the area. There was pine straw, dirt and rocks already there, so we shoveled it into a wheelbarrow to clear out the area.
We dug out the area to a depth of about 3 inches, to account for the pavers (1.75 inches thick) and the paver base and sand. After removing more rocks with a rake and flattening out the area a bit, this would also be the time to spray or lay weed fabric to prevent weeds so they don’t grow through any gravel and pavers.
Install the Base
Speaking of gravel, we decided not to use gravel this time around and just use the clay underneath as the base. So instead we started building our grill pad by pouring a layer of paver sand and using a straight board to smooth and even it out.
Then we used the tamper to compact it down evenly and checked using a level.
Laying the Pavers
Finally it’s time to build the grill patio! Starting at one corner of the pad area, we laid the pavers snugly against each other in the pattern we liked. It’s best to use a rubber mallet to gently tap them into place and keep them level. Be sure to keep adding or removing sand underneath as needed.
We used edging stones only on one side, since our paver pad is locked around 2 sides of concrete and the house. If you wanted to give yours extra stability, you could install edging stones and spikes around the perimeter at this point.
Lock it In
Once we were satisfied with the pattern, we swept polymeric sand into the joints then wet the entire surface with water to activate the sand.
After it dried, we used a broom to sweep away any excess sand.
Once everything is dry and set, the patio grill paver pad is ready to go!
We use our Blackstone Griddle very (very!) often and so it’s great that it actually has a designated place in the backyard!
Hope this inspires you to DIY your own outdoor grill station with pavers! Let us know if you gave this project a try by tagging us on Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok @hammerandhandsaw.
And if you’re looking for more outdoor/gardening ideas, check out our DIY 2-Tier Plant Stand post that comes with a FREE woodworking plan or if you’re looking a quick weekend project, we know you’ll love our Weekend Deck Makeover!
