Barbecue arbor

[Wayne]

This decorative arbor turns the humble barbecue into a feature of the backyard and includes planter boxes on each side. 

• The project
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The project

I had limited space to find a home for my new barbecue so I decided to build a decorative arbor for it.

After searching the internet for design ideas and working out the required dimensions, I got started on the base.

I glued three 140mm x 35mm pine boards together with cut-outs in the centre board that would act as a mortise for the upright ends of the arbor.

I cut angles on the front and back for decoration, rounded over the edges and sanded to a smooth finish starting with 80-grit, 120 Grit, 180-grit and then finally 240-grit.

I built a frame using 70mm x 35mm framing timber screwed and glued with a rabbet cut along the lengths at the top to nail down some salvaged Pine decking offcuts as the floor.

I stained the base with a golden Cedar stain.

I made the end panels with mortise and tenon joints. I calculated the appropriate size then used scrap timber to make a sample of the joint.

I set up the fence and a stop block on the mortiser and drilled out the mortise joints on the four uprights.

I set up the tenon jig and made the vertical cuts for the tenons in the side runners.

Then used the miter gauge on the table saw to finish off the tenons.

Finished tenons.

Then assembled the end frames with glue and clamps.

I constructed the top section of the arbor using 140mm x 35mm fascia board with an angled cut on the ends. I made an internal frame that screwed to the end frames and to the fascias. Then made five cross members with matching angled cuts for the top, which are glued and screwed in position.

I finished staining the arbor.

Cut up some treated Pine batten that I had lying around to 19mm square and rounded over the ends. Then glued and bradded to make a decorative trellis on each side panel.

Next I cut up some scrap boards to make brackets. I also made planter boxes for the ends.

I glued a couple of boards together for each bracket.

Then drew a pattern that I liked and cut them out on the band saw and sanded them.

I made it as a shelf and the planter box just sits on top without any fastening.

All done with the barbecue in place.

More barbecue projects

Check out more incredible barbecue projects shared by Bunnings Workshop members in our Outdoor kitchen ideas for your home.