20 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas That’ll Make Backyard Cooking Even More Fun
With these cool setups, you’ll want to eat dinner outside every night!
There's so much to consider when setting up an idyllic backyard. You might want to put in a patio where you can soak up the sun and sip on an ice-cold glass of lemonade with family or friends. Or maybe you've always dreamed of growing a garden that overflows with colorful flowers. But if you love to cook (like Ree Drummond), you may want to add the ultimate culinary feature: an outdoor kitchen!
These backyard spaces have become popular in recent years, and for good reason: Cooking, gathering, and eating are a lot more fun in the great outdoors! Whether you're hosting a summer cookout or preparing a casual family dinner, outdoor kitchens give you the ability to whip up tasty recipes while breathing in the fresh air and spending time with your loved ones. But the benefits don't stop there: "It expands your living space, boosts your property value, reduces indoor energy use, and creates a gathering space for entertaining while keeping cooking odors and heat outside," says Jesse Terzi, co-founder of New Eco Landscapes, an eco-friendly landscape design, build, and maintenance company based in New York City.
Before building a backyard kitchen, the first step is figuring out the layout. Terzi recommends scoping out a spot that's accessible but not near anything flammable. "My best advice would be to keep it a safe distance away from the house, but the closer it is to the house, the more you will use it," he says. Amber Freda, a landscape designer of her eponymous Amber Freda Garden Designs, explains that the location should be logical, such as positioning it near your outdoor dining furniture and indoor kitchen to reduce the number of back-and-forth trips you take. Then, stock your outdoor kitchen with all the appliances, such as a grill, countertops, cabinets, a fridge, and even a smoker or pizza oven. Just make sure you use outdoor-friendly materials that can withstand all kinds of weather!
There are so many ways to go about this home improvement project, whether you're building it yourself or hiring a pro to do the honors. Ahead, you'll find DIY tutorials, design inspiration, and so many other outdoor kitchen ideas you're sure to love!
Once your space is ready to use, chef it up with these recipes:
Find Funky Tiles
Make your outdoor kitchen one of a kind with custom tiles! A big, colorful patio is perfect for entertaining guests or eating dinner with the family, especially if it's topped with a dining table and chairs. In addition to coordinating your colors, make sure to use weather-resistant materials!
Learn more at Lovely Indeed.
Decorate with Flora and Fauna
An easy outdoor kitchen idea that'll instantly freshen up your space is adding potted plants. Consider decorating your countertops with ceramic pots in various shapes and sizes filled with flowers and greenery. Together, they'll add visual interest and life to your setup.
Learn more at Lovely Indeed.
Pull Up Some Barstools
If you plan to use your outdoor kitchen to host family and friends, you'll definitely want to complete your setup with a bar and barstools. That way, your loved ones can pull up a seat and loop you into the conversation as you flip burgers and toss the salad.
Learn more at Living Gardens Landscape Design.
Display a Waterfall Countertop
A waterfall countertop isn’t just reserved for indoor kitchens! By incorporating this stylish accent into your outdoor kitchen area, you'll immediately beautify your space in a clean, modern way.
Get the tutorial at Nest Out West.
Showcase Brick
Since brick is a durable material that can withstand the elements, it's a great option for outdoor kitchens. And if you choose faded brick, you'll give your backyard a farmhouse-inspired flair that'll feel especially homey!
Learn more at Revival Construction.
Keep Things Fresh in White
Outdoor spaces should always look easy and breezy, and one way to do just that in your outdoor kitchen is to go with a white palette, from the walls to the barstools.
Learn more at Oyster Creek Studios.
Include a Burner
Most people tend to center on a grill for their outdoor kitchen, which is great! But we’re always for those extra little bonuses that will make the experience even better, like a burner so you can keep food simmering while you grill.
Learn more at Our Emerald Home.
Opt for Black and White
While an outdoor kitchen certainly serves a practical purpose, it should also fit in with your overall aesthetic. If you lean toward shades of black and white and love modern, fresh looks, consider weaving the hues into your outdoor cook space.
Get the tutorial at Just Destiny Home.
Set the Stage with a Pizza Oven
Perhaps your only wish is to grill pizza in your outdoor kitchen! In this case, you definitely need a pizza oven, and this tutorial will show you how to build it.
Get the tutorial at Tikkido.
Have Tools within Arm's Reach
To make your outdoor kitchen a whole lot more functional, set aside spots for your must-have tools. For instance, you can hang a tray, cutting board, and grilling tools on the wall.
Learn more at Addison’s Wonderland.
Transform Your Deck
Did you know that you can place an outdoor kitchen on your deck? If you have the space, follow this tutorial, and even keep a bonfire spot nearby, too.
Get the tutorial at At Home with the Barkers.
Make It Mobile
If you’d prefer that your outdoor kitchen not be a permanent fixture of your backyard, you can make it mobile! Follow these steps to put your kitchen on wheels.
Get the tutorial at Houseful of Handmade.
Craft a Concrete Countertop
Concrete is a hardy material that can easily live outside (considering it makes up driveways and sidewalks!), so it’s a natural choice for an outdoor kitchen.
Get the tutorial at Honey Built Home.
Design a Farmhouse Look
Even an outdoor kitchen can benefit from some decor and a design scheme. If farmhouse is your thing, outfit your space in bygone aesthetics, like timeworn barstools, galvanized metal planters, and a neutral color palette.
Learn more at My 100 Year Old Home.
Tuck It Alongside a Hedge
If you’re scratching your head, wondering where you could possibly put an outdoor kitchen in your yard, consider tucking it in right next to your landscaping. An island and a grill, on a surface like gravel, could be ideal.
Learn more at City Farmhouse.
Simplify with a Serving Station
Not ready to commit to a full-on outdoor kitchen just yet? Instead, you can create an outdoor serving station that’ll act like a mini version of a kitchen, providing a work surface and cubbies where you can stash items you’ll need.
Get the tutorial at Live Laugh Rowe.
Set Up an Outdoor Table
An outdoor kitchen is only good if you have a table to eat at! This one brings the indoors out with its stylish design and table setting.
Embrace Luxe Details
Make your outdoor kitchen just as special as your indoor kitchen with the help of stunning hanging lanterns, a stone countertop, and some beautifully-placed tiles to act as flooring.
Learn more at Chris Loves Julia.
Put It Under Cover
To have the option to cook in the rain or other inclement types of weather, place your outdoor kitchen under cover. Here, a galvanized metal roof does the trick.
Learn more at Savvy Apron.
Consider a Marble Countertop
Yes, marble really can be used outside, as long as it’s sealed correctly. It’ll add a touch of elegance to your outdoor kitchen.
Learn more at SKG Designs.
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