Crafting Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen: From Start to Finish

Creating a sleek, inviting, and practical outdoor entertaining space is sought-after by many homeowners. Specifically, most American homeowners aged 35–44 report that an outdoor kitchen is important when designing their outdoor space.

So, if you’re looking to embrace this growing interest in outdoor kitchens, this article has plenty of ideas and a complete guide to crafting your dream cooking space.

Whether you’re interested in exploring essential additions, aesthetic considerations, or safety tips, we’re here to provide you with the most up-to-date information to help you create a modern outdoor kitchen.

You don’t have to be a seasoned kitchen designer or expert to plan your outdoor kitchen — so let’s start now!

TL;DR

• Your outdoor kitchen's location depends on your goal for this space. If you’re looking to entertain, having the kitchen on a sunlit patio or aesthetically pleasing backyard area may be ideal.

However, if it will be your primary spot for cooking, consider a spot that’s both accessible and user-friendly.

• The layout of an outdoor kitchen should balance workflow and functionality. As long as there are areas for prep, cooking, storage, and seating, you’ll be good to go.

• Proper ventilation is key for optimal safety. Ventilation measures like a range hood make removing smoke, grease, and odour from your outdoor cooking space easier.

• If you’ll be cooking or entertaining in the evenings, consider how to incorporate lighting into your design.

• Durable countertops, a sink, a grill or smoker, a refrigerator, and cooking utensils are essential components of an outdoor kitchen.

• Lastly, check with local regulations to determine if permits are required for your outdoor kitchen. Complying with zoning laws and safety standards is essential.

Where is the Best Place to Put an Outdoor Kitchen?

The best place to put an outdoor kitchen is where you feel it will thrive!

If you plan to host gatherings and use the kitchen as a social meeting point, putting it around your pool or other outdoor activities can create a lively atmosphere.

Similarly, whether your outdoor kitchen is a solo project or a way to live out your grilling fantasy, it's important to make it accessible and functional!

Let’s look at some more places to put your kitchen below:

Near the main house or entertaining area

As mentioned above, combining your entertaining and cooking areas is a recipe for successful dinners and outdoor socializing.

Plus, outdoor kitchens often look good when strategically placed in an area many people gravitate toward.

In a shaded area

If you live in a sweltering climate, consider putting your outdoor kitchen in a shaded area. Whether you invest in some umbrellas or place them under an awning on the side of your house, grilling will be more comfortable!

Close to utilities such as water and electricity

You’ll need water and electricity if you have one or more appliances attached to your outdoor kitchen configuration.

Keeping utilities close by makes connecting your fridge, grill, smoker, pizza oven, and other appliances simple.

Away from strong winds

There are many benefits to placing your outdoor kitchen away from the wind — fire safety, temperature control, equipment maintenance, and overall comfort for chef and guests alike.

If possible, avoid very windy parts of your backyard space!

Accessible to the indoor kitchens

You may need to grab bigger ingredients or tools from the inside or bring hot dishes indoors, so keeping a clear path between the inside and outside of your home is crucial.

Consideration of privacy

If you plan to use your outdoor space frequently, you’ll also want to consider how to protect your privacy.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by building a physical barrier like a wall or fence, but it’s far better to include greenery in the plan.

Planting shrubs, trees, and flowering plants near and around the outdoor kitchen is smart. These will add shaded places during daytime events, attract guests (especially when the flowers bloom), and help relax the area. It’s hard not to relax when you have a piece of nature in your backyard.

Choose local and native plants rather than invasive ones as much as possible. You’ll be helping with biodiversity efforts, and the area near your kitchen can even become the home of local wildlife.

Integration with landscaping and outdoor living spaces

To keep your outdoor space aesthetically pleasing, picture your outdoor kitchen in the context of your landscaping features or other outdoor living spaces.

This way, the dimensions and placement of your kitchen encompass your entire space!

How Should You Lay Out Your Outdoor Kitchen?

Designing your outdoor kitchen can be exciting but requires skillfully combining many key elements, such as functionality, aesthetics, and workflow.

First, you may want to divide your outdoor kitchen into zones where you’ll assign a function to each area (such as cooking, serving, etc.).

Once your space is organized, you’ll want to determine where to place your cooking appliance so that it is well-ventilated. A built in grill requires or pizza oven requires more planning, so consider your options.

Next, designate prep and storage areas and any other appliances you include. Lastly, look toward seating and dining options to create a comfortable space for your guests to relax while eating and chatting.

Pro tip: Measure twice, cut once. One thing that can help is to map out the layout using boxes or tape. This allows you to see the layout in more specific terms. Giving you a chance to live in the space before you buy anything.

Do You Need to Ventilate Your Outdoor Kitchen?

Ventilating your outdoor kitchen is critical for a safe and healthy cooking environment. Proper ventilation reduces the risk of fires, gas inhalation, and general heat dissipation.

In particularly humid climates, ventilation measures can limit mould and mildew growth in and around your kitchen.

How Important is Lighting for Your Outdoor Kitchen?

Lighting is extremely important for outdoor kitchens. In addition to functionality, planned lighting can make your outdoor kitchen a soothing and inviting environment.

Start with task lighting and then consider string lights for ambiance. If you have a structure, consider including built in lighting to help define your space.

What Should Go in Your Outdoor Kitchen?

There are no items that need to be in your outdoor kitchen other than those that promote proper ventilation. But you can get creative with your design. In addition to classic grills and fridges, consider adding a beer fridge, pizza oven, or dish warmer.

Tips for Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen

If you’re ready to hit the ground running, here are some tips for planning and executing your outdoor kitchen ideas:

Determine your budget

Outdoor kitchens can become costly as you add items and fit them into your space.

So, before you fall in love with one of the many fun appliances you can add to an outdoor kitchen, draw up a realistic budget by yourself or with a professional.

Assess available space and layout

You can always have a few measurements when deciding how to fit an outdoor kitchen into your living space,

With these measurements, you can make an approximate drawing of your kitchen and plan where to put all the cabinetry and appliances.

Consider your cooking needs and preferences

What meals do you plan to cook in your kitchen? How do you prefer to work in the kitchen?

If you like to cook with another person, investing in more counter space for cutting and prepping food may be worth it. However, investing in a bigger outdoor refrigerator may be ideal if you plan to cook large portions of food.

Choose durable and weather-resistant materials

Stainless steel appliances and natural stone (granite, slate, etc.) are durable and appealing materials for outdoor kitchen space. They resist damage from the elements, and each has its perks. Natural stone is resistant to heat and UV rays, but stainless steel is easier to clean and doesn’t corrode.

Plan for utilities such as water, gas, and electricity

Plan for utility hookup and use as you choose a spot for your outdoor kitchen. You may need access to gas, electricity, and water for your appliances to work.

Design functional storage solutions

When purchasing tools and other items for your outdoor kitchen, it’s a great idea to store them close by. Designate a few cabinets within your outdoor kitchen design to accommodate your storage needs.

Incorporate adequate lighting

Patio and backyard lighting bring an outdoor kitchen to life. If the space is well-lit, your guests will feel welcome to dine into the night. However, excessive lighting can be distracting, so try experimenting with different light types and placement and see what works best for your outdoor space.

Think about seating and dining table options

Are you looking to host parties, or is your outdoor kitchen set up for a couple of people only? Based on your needs, choose the dining option that accommodates your diners in comfort and functionality.

Add personal touches and decorative elements

Finally, add plants, a fire pit, a water feature, or other decorative touches to your outdoor kitchen to tie the space together. You can even add fun cushions to your chairs or get colourful place settings for your outdoor dining area.

Will You Need a Building Permit from Your City or Town?

Whether you need a building permit depends on your local government, so check in with the proper authorities before beginning construction on your outdoor property.

Can you do it yourself, or need qualified professionals to help?

DIY is possible, but having qualified professionals assess the build and provide insights would elevate your kitchen in a way that only an experienced professional can. Professionals likely know how to create the safest and most user-friendly kitchen, so consulting one is an excellent idea.

FAQs

What's the best material for outdoor kitchen countertops?

The best material for outdoor kitchen countertops is stainless steel or natural stone.

How can I weatherproof my outdoor kitchen?

You can choose a durable material, like the ones mentioned above. Additionally, installing covers in inclement weather can further protect your kitchen.

Is it worth investing in high-end appliances for my outdoor kitchen?

High-end appliances are worth it, especially if you plan to use them frequently.

How do I protect my outdoor kitchen from wildlife and pests?

While local wildlife is always a sight (especially if you have plenty of greenery), you’ll still want to take precautions.

Seal all entry points (gaps) and secure food storage. Also, regularly clean food crumbs and debris, as this can attract pests. You can also create a vegetable garden and plant herbs like mint and basil to deter pests. These can be grown in a garden and help spruce up your cooking.

Can an outdoor kitchen increase my property value?

Absolutely! Outdoor kitchens provide another space for cooking or entertaining that is within the house's boundaries.

What’s next?

Do you have an outdoor kitchen design in mind? Contact our design team at Home Billiards today to start the kitchen crafting process. We’ll bring your kitchen aspirations to life as we walk you through our design protocol.