How to Build a DIY Outdoor Sink

Well I'm at it again... building the outdoor furniture I need by myself. Today, it's a cute little outdoor sink I needed by the garden so I built my own and I will show you how it was done. 

I built this sink using the following supplies:

• pressure treated 2"x4" boards
• a reclaimed bathroom sink
• a hose splitter
• washing machine hose
• galvanized watering can

I had this project planned in the back of my head when we were building our new garden table. 

These were the Spring projects that never ended... the garden table lead to the outdoor coffee table, which lead to this outdoor sink. 

I found an old bathroom sink then began from there. 

I am lucky enough to have a contractor son-in-law who finds what I need with just a text. 

I measured the dimensions of the sink then built a square using the pressure treated wood. 

I attached the 2x4 legs using decking screws. 

Hindsight is 20-20, I would use longer screws than standard decking screws for this project. I did have to secure some parts with longer screws. 

I added the old bathroom sink to the top, it dropped right into the frame. 

I used construction adhesive to attach the sink to the frame. 

I added cross braces to the side of the legs that not only squared them but held a shelf. 

I used 3 more 2x4's for the bottom shelf.

        

Now for the water source. 

I am choosing not to add "real" plumbing. 

I had these items at home and they worked. 

First I put a hose splitter on the outdoor faucet.

One direction went to our garden hose and the other went to the sink. 

By the way if you are in the market for a garden hose, the one on the right in the photo was one I purchased from Amazon. 

My old hose was big, heavy, and hard to move around the yard but this one is amazing! The new one is light weight and expands up to 75 feet. (it comes in different sizes) When you are finished with it, the hose contracts easily to put it back onto the stand. I love it and you can see it by visiting the bold affiliate link above.

Next, I used an old washing machine hose (because I had it on hand) you could cut a piece of garden hose for this part. 

I cut off one of the connection ends off the washing machine hose and added a male hose repair connection so I could attach a sprayer at the top.  

At the top of the sink I attached the sprayer that sits in the center hole. 

This will be a temporary solution until I think of something better. 

The length of hose I used allows you to pull the hose out to rinse your hands. 

The sprayer works fine, however I will be on the lookout for something that will work even better for a good price. 

Update: Please see below, the sprayer was changed out soon after my grandsons discovered it and used it to squirt each other! 

For drainage I used an old metal watering can. 

I drilled a hole in the bottom and added about 3" of rocks inside.

The watering can sits just under the sink pipe so the water can drain into the watering can and out the hole in the back. 

It keeps the water from splashing all over the shelf. 

On the front of the sink I added a towel rack.

 

This outdoor sink is just what I need out by the garden to rinse off my hands or the garden tools. 

This was an easy build and is just perfect for my gardening needs. 

READ MORE: OUTDOOR PROJECTS

After living with the sink for a few weeks, I've made a change and found the faucet I was looking for.