Build A Garden Scullery

Convert a neglected corner of your courtyard into a prep and wash up area, or scullery. As long as you have a solid wall, a water supply and somewhere for the water to drain away, this DIY project is for you!

Materials for your Scullery

2.2 kg Builders Pride dual crack filler
5 litres Builders Pride white undercoat
5 litres Fired Earth ‘Severe Weather Blizzard’ white
1 plastic wash trough and bracket
1 stainless steel shower hose 1.8 m
1 x Plumbpride plug and chain
1 PVC waste bend 40 mm
2 m PVC pipe 40 mm
2 m2 vinyl tiles in quartz
1 litres contact adhesive
30 full threaded screws
12 Hilti screws, size 6 x 60 mm
4 Rawl bolts, size m6

Laminated pine board, as follows
1 @ 572 x 460 mm (short shelf )*
1 @ 955 x 380 mm (longer shelf )
5 @ 900 x 600 mm (‘legs’)
1 @ 2400 x 600 mm (countertop)
4 @ 50 x 20 mm (cleats)
*Shelves can be the same length if preferred

Tools for your Scullery

Spirit level, pencil, hammer, paint scraper, sandpaper, skill saw, wood glue, handsaw, Builders Pride paintbrush 50 mm, electric drill plus 6 mm masonry drill bit and Ruwag 14 x 400 mm drill bit.

Steps

Step 1: Prepare the walls where the trough is to be installed by removing damaged plaster and patching with crack filler. Use sandpaper to smooth filler, remove old damaged paintwork and roughen remaining painted surfaces. Ensure walls are clean and dust free and then paint with the undercoat.

Step 2: Using wood glue and screws, join the uprights and shelves to form two free-standing units.

Step 3: Determine the ultimate position of the trough on the counter top, lay the trough upside down in this position and mark where you will cut through the counter top to accommodate the trough. Use the saw to cut out and remove the marked section. Next, place the counter top in position on the two units and secure it in place with screws and glue.

Step 4: Four cleats are required to ensure the unit attaches securely to the wall; they are particularly useful if the floor is not completely level. Place the unit in position against the wall and make rough marks underneath the counter top and both shelves. Move the unit and use a long spirit level to draw straight lines on the wall where the cleats are to be secured. Attach the cleats to the wall, place the unit in position and secure it to the cleats with screws.
NOTE: In woodwork, a cleat is a strip of wood or iron fastened on transversely to something in order to give strength, prevent warping and hold position.

Step 5: Place the trough bracket in position, make the necessary marks to attach the bracket to the wall, drill the holes and secure the bracket. Rest the trough in place on the bracket.

Step 6: The scullery trough is to be used for washing vegetables from the garden so instead of taps we chose to install a hose and shower head. To do this, start by drilling a hole through the counter top for the shower hose. Thread the hose through the hole, connect the shower head above the counter and connect the other end to the water supply.

Step 7: Working underneath the trough, connect the PVC waste bend and drainage pipe. Using screws attach the fifth ‘ leg’ to the centre front of the unit to hide the pipes under the trough.

Step 8: Apply contact adhesive to the counter top and glue the tiles in place. Cut 20 mm strips of tile for the edges and glue them in place.

Step 9: Paint the rest of the unit and the walls with Fired Earth ‘Severe Weather Blizzard’. Make sure to cover all exposed wood, to protect it from water damage.