How to Build a Serving Station

Finished serving station filled with items and hanging on wall.

Last updated September 7, 2023

An outdoor serving station can make dining or lounging out easier. You can use your serving station as a bar, or keep it open to display decor and plants. This guide shows you step-by-step instructions on how to build an outdoor serving station. You'll need tools and materials such as a circular saw, nails, exterior stain, hinges and pressure treated lumber.

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Duration:

2-4 hours

Project Guide

DIY Workshops

DIY Wood Projects

Furniture

Cut the Board & Project Panels
Build the Box
Attach the Divider & Shelf
Attach the Table Top
Attach the Chain & Hook Eye
Attach Mounting Plates

Cut the Board & Project Panels

A person measuring a wood board and marking it with a pencil.

Use a circular saw to cut a 1-inch x 6-inch board into two 18 3/4-inch pieces, two 22 1/4-inch pieces, one 17 1/4-inch piece, and one 10 7/8-inch piece.
Cut the project panel into a 23 3/4-inch x 18-inch rectangle.
Paint or stain the wood pieces. Let them dry. Follow the manufacturer's directions for recommended drying time.

Build the Box

A person using a nail gun to nail the corner of a wood box.

Once all the stained wood pieces are completely dry, make the box for the back of the hanging serving station. Use the 22 1/4-inch pieces for the top and bottom. Use the 18 3/4-inch pieces for the sides.

Make sure that the top and bottom pieces fit between the side pieces.
Double check that the outer measurements are 24-inches x 18 3/4-inches.
Glue the wood together at the corners to form a box. Nail each corner for durability. Be careful to keep the box square as you work.

Attach the Divider & Shelf

Someone adding a divider shelf to the inside of the serving station.

Insert the wood board measuring 17 1/4-inches near the center of the box.
Make sure the 10 7/8-inches board fits horizontally on one side.
Glue and nail the divider in place.
Repeat the above with the 10 7/8-inch board. Position it horizontally near the 9 3/8-inch mark.
Secure both boards first with wood glue and then with nails.

Attach the Table Top

Someone attaching a hinge to the serving station's table top.

Next, attach the box to the table top panel.

Stand the box upright.
Hold the table top up against the bottom of the box.
Pull the box back about 1/8-inch back, leaving just enough of a gap to attach the two 3-inch utility hinges.

Attach the Chain & Hook Eye

Someone attaching a chain to the table top of a serving station.

With the box and table top still resting on the workbench, cut the chain in half.
Measure back 2 inches and 1 inch.
Use two of the 5/8-inch wood screws to attach the chain to the table top.
Stretch one side of the chain tautly upward and attach it to the inside of the box. Use a 5/8-inch screw. Cut off any excess chain with your pliers.
Repeat the process on the other side of the table top and the box.
Close the table top against the box.
Screw the eye into the side of the table top.
Screw the hook into the outside of the box.
Make sure the hook and eye are close enough to latch.

Attach Mounting Plates

Someone attaching mounting plates to the underside of a wood shelf.

Attach the two 3-inch corner braces to the inside of the top two corners of the box.

Hang Serving Station

Someone using a drill to screw in the back of a serving station.

Brace the finished serving station against the wall. Get help to hold it straight.
Using a screwdriver, mount the station to the wall with deck screws.

Tip: Use a stud finder to find a strong place to hang the serving station.

Stock your serving station and raise a glass to a job well done. When you're ready to build your serving station, we have the tools you need and deliver over a million items online free.