Essie's Mud Kitchen Build

Lumber

$425

Hardware

$295

Consumables

$75

Total Est.

~$795

Build Time

3–4 days

Beginner Builder Time Estimate — 3 to 4 full weekend days Day 1 (4–6 hrs): All cutting, sanding, edge sealing lumber and plywood. This is the longest prep day.
Day 2 (5–7 hrs): Build both under-counter frames, install side panels, dividers, and cubby shelves.
Day 3 (4–5 hrs): Counter tops, sink hole, back walls, shelves, pegboard. Install carry handles.
Day 4 (3–4 hrs): Build + install drawers, plumbing hookup, finish coat (primer day). Second coat next day.
Pro tip: Home Depot will cross-cut boards for ~$0.50/cut — saves 1–2 hrs on Day 1.

Design Overview Specs

Main Unit

Length96" (8 ft)

Counter depth16"

Counter height20" — toddler elbow height

Back wall height22" above counter

Total height42"

Under-counter opening16" clear

Back wall at rear. Sink approx. 1/3 from left end.

Side Unit

Length72" (6 ft)

Counter depth16" — matches main

Counter height20" — same as main

Back wall height22" above counter

Total height42"

ConfigurationL-shape, joins right end of main

Back wall at rear. Both front faces open to shared play area.

Storage Layout

Main — drawers2 pull-out drawers, 12" wide

Main — cubbies2 open cubbies + 1 open bay

Side — cubbies2 open cubbies + 1 open bay

Back wall shelves2 on main, 1 on side

Pegboard2 × 48" strips on main

PortabilityCarry handles + rubber feet

Why These Dimensions

20" counterElbow height, avg 3-year-old

16" depthDeep enough, safe reach

22" back wallToddler eye level

ModularEach unit ≤50 lbs empty

MaterialsPT pine + BC exterior ply

FinishChild-safe exterior paint

Build Diagrams Reference

Lumber Wood

Pressure-treated 2×4 × 8 ft

Frame legs, rails, stretchers — WeatherShield or equivalent, ground contact

× 24

~$168

~$7.00 ea

Pressure-treated 2×4 × 10 ft

Long top & bottom rails

× 4

~$33

~$8.25 ea

Exterior plywood BC grade — 3/4" × 4×8

Counter tops, back walls, shelves, drawer boxes, panels

× 10

~$460

~$46 ea

Exterior plywood — 1/2" × 4×8

Drawer fronts, back panels

× 3

~$105

~$35 ea

Cedar 1×4 × 8 ft

Back wall face trim, shelf faces

× 8

~$72

~$9.00 ea

Hardware Hardware

Exterior deck screws — 3" #10 coated

Primary framing fastener

2 lbs

~$22

~$11/lb

Exterior construction screws — 1-5/8" coated

Plywood fastener

1 lb

~$9

~$9/lb

Carriage bolts + nuts + washers — 3/8" × 3-1/2"

Carry handle mounting — structural

24 sets

~$18

~$0.75 ea

Drawer slides — 12" full-extension soft-close

Everbilt or Liberty brand at HD

4 pairs

~$60

~$15/pair

Drawer pulls — stainless or galvanized bar pulls

× 4

~$20

~$5 ea

Carry handles — recessed flush pulls (heavy duty)

Pair on each end panel of each unit

× 8

~$32

~$4 ea

Stainless steel bar / prep sink — 12"×16"×6" drop-in

Glacier Bay or Koolmore single bowl — HD stock item

× 1

~$89

drop-in

Garden hose faucet / brass ball valve — 1/2" NPT

Hose thread outlet, mounts through back wall

× 1

~$18

Hose-to-1/2" NPT adapter (female hose × 1/2" FPT)

× 1

~$8

Flexible braided supply line — 12", 1/2" FPT both ends

× 1

~$12

Drain assembly — 1-1/2" basket strainer + P-trap

× 1

~$22

Pegboard strips — 1/4" × 6" × 8 ft exterior

Fasten with 3/4" spacer washers behind

× 2

~$20

~$10 ea

Pegboard hooks — assorted sizes

× 20

~$12

~$6/10-pk

Shelf brackets — 8" L-bracket, zinc or stainless

× 8

~$24

~$3 ea

Corner connector L-brackets — 3" flat zinc

× 16

~$10

~$4/4-pk

Rubber leveling feet — 1" adhesive pads

× 16

~$6

~$5/8-pk

Adhesives, Sealants & Finish Consumables

Exterior wood glue — Titebond III (16 oz)

Waterproof, weather-resistant

1 bottle

~$14

Exterior paintable caulk

Seal plywood edges, around sink

2 tubes

~$12

~$6 ea

Plumber's Teflon tape

1 roll

~$3

Exterior deck paint or stain — child-safe water-based

Covers both units; Behr or Cabot at HD

1 gal

~$38

Clear exterior sealer — quart

Counter top moisture protection

1 qt

~$18

Phase 1 — Cut All Material Build

Set up workspace — sawhorses or foam on ground, face down when cutting

30 min

Rip plywood to 16" depth (counter tops) and 22" (back wall panels)

1–1.5 hrs

Cross-cut all plywood panels to length per cut list

1.5 hrs

Cut all 2×4 framing — legs to 19-1/4", rails to length

45 min

Sand all plywood panels (120-grit → 220-grit) and seal all edges

1–2 hrs

Phase 2 — Under-Counter Frame Build

Build front and back ladder frames — glue + 3" screws, check square

1–1.5 hrs

Connect front and back frames with 13" side rails at each leg pair

45 min

Check for level and square — shim or trim legs as needed

20 min

Install side panels and internal dividers — glue and 1-5/8" screws

45 min

Install cubby bottom shelves — glue and screw, level each shelf

30 min

Phase 3 — Counter Top & Back Wall Build

Install counter top — 1" front overhang, screw up through rails, no exposed heads

45 min

Cut sink hole with jigsaw — trace sink, cut 3/4" inside outline, test fit

30 min

Attach back wall vertical supports (22") behind counter, every 24"

30 min

Attach back wall panel — screw into vertical supports every 8"

30 min

Install upper shelves on back wall with L-brackets, level each shelf

30 min

Attach pegboard strips with 3/4" spacer washers behind so hooks work

20 min

Phase 4 — Drawers Build

Build drawer boxes — glue + screw all 4 sides, capture bottom, square before glue sets

1 hr

Install drawer slides — cabinet member on divider, drawer member on box, test fit

45 min

Attach drawer faces — tape in position, drill through, screw from inside, add pulls

30 min

Phase 5 — Handles, Finish & Feet Build

Install carry handles — carriage bolt through each end panel, bolt head outside

30 min

Apply finish — sand 220-grit, prime, two coats exterior paint, clear sealer on counter

2–3 hrs + dry time

Install rubber feet on all four corners of each unit

15 min

Plumbing & Sink Build

Drill 1-1/4" hole through back wall, mount brass spigot with Teflon tape

20 min

Connect flexible supply line to spigot, attach hose-to-NPT adapter

15 min

Install sink drain — plumber's putty, basket, tighten nut from below, attach tailpiece

20 min

Set up drain path — bucket in lower cubby OR flex hose to ground soakpit

15 min

Drop in sink, apply silicone caulk perimeter, press down, wipe, cure 24 hrs

20 min + 24 hr cure

Test all connections — connect hose, turn on slowly, check for leaks

15 min

Cost Breakdown

Lumber — 2×4 framing~$168

Plywood — 3/4" exterior (10 sheets)~$460

Plywood — 1/2" (3 sheets)~$105

Cedar 1×4 trim boards~$72

Screws, bolts, fasteners~$45

Drawer slides (4 pairs)~$60

Handles, pulls, carry handles~$55

Stainless bar sink~$89

Plumbing fittings~$65

Pegboard strips + hooks~$28

Shelf brackets, L-brackets, feet~$30

Glue, caulk, Teflon tape~$25

Paint/stain + clear sealer~$52

Subtotal (before tax)~$1,254

Vermont sales tax (6%)~$75

Total with VT tax~$1,329

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