.png)
Guide to Designing an Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchens have gained immense popularity as a practical backyard addition among homeowners who love spending time outdoors. A well-planned and designed outdoor kitchen space adds style and functionality to a modern backyard. It elevates the outdoor living experience and provides culinary enthusiasts with a year-round haven for entertainment and relaxation.
Outdoor kitchens have varying shapes and sizes, from a basic grilling station to a fully-equipped one. Here is a simple guide for homeowners to plan and design their outdoor kitchen to ensure it meets their specific needs and tastes:
​
Choose the outdoor kitchen size and style
An outdoor kitchen's style and size depend on a few factors, including available space, individual preference, homeowner's use, and specific needs and budget. Choose a traditional, contemporary, or rustic kitchen style that matches the lifestyle and accommodates everything necessary.
​
Select the right location
Choosing an appropriate location is critical while designing an outdoor kitchen. It is best to select a location closer to the home to ensure convenience. Also, running utilities is cheaper for a kitchen located near the house. Determine the yard's square footage to ensure the outdoor kitchen plan complies with building codes. When choosing the location, homeowners should consider available space, the number of people they want to accommodate, grill size, and other features.
Create a layout
The next step is to decide on the outdoor kitchen layout. Kitchen islands, L-shaped, U-shaped, linear, and galley are popular kitchen layouts depending on the available space. Decide on factors like where to place the grill, appliances, serving space, minibar, and other features based on how a homeowner plans to use the kitchen. Outline the correct placement of various features, including electrical outlets, water lines, cabinets, countertops, appliances, and seating.
​
Materials
Choosing suitable materials is critical for an outdoor kitchen's durability and longevity. Consider the weather resistance of various materials and whether the kitchen will be used year-round or just for the summer. The suitable materials for the cabinetry, countertops, and built-ins will determine how much the kitchen can withstand.
​
Lighting
Proper lighting creates a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere to prepare and enjoy food at night. Sufficient light in the cooking and dining areas can elevate the whole experience. Lighting fixtures like tea lights, lanterns, string lights, pendant lights, wall lights, and flush mounts will boost the aesthetics and security of the outdoor kitchen.
​
Furniture
A homeowner can place the furniture or create a dining set up based on whether the space will be used for lounging or as an alternative dining area. Assess the area size and choose chairs, couches, and other furniture meant for outdoor use.​​
Consider appliances
The appliance choice while designing an outdoor kitchen will depend on budget, cooking habits, and local climate. Some common appliances that homeowners may consider include grills, side burners, outdoor refrigerators, a pizza oven, a smoker, a deep fryer, and power burners.
​
Additional features
There are many additional features to consider to make the kitchen more functional. A separate bar area, outdoor heaters, sink, towel racks, and napkin holders can make the outdoor kitchen space more valuable.
​
Get the best outdoor kitchen
A well-thought-out plan and professional guidance can help homeowners enjoy their dream outdoor kitchen. Contact a local outdoor living space designer and builder to create the perfect outdoor kitchen space.
