5 Things To Consider When Designing An Outdoor Kitchen

Gone are the days where you’re cooking away in the kitchen while all your friends and family sit outside gathering in your backyard. Nowadays, you can create your dream outdoor kitchen in your backyard, allowing you to be a part of the action while making a mouthwatering meal.

Instead of relying on a standard grill to do the heavy lifting this year, you can create a fully customized outdoor kitchen featuring a grill, oven, bar area, and more — ideal for entertaining! Before launching into your outdoor kitchen renovation project, consider these five factors that will help you design a dream outdoor living space that meets (and exceeds) all your needs.

1. Climate and Environment

No matter where you live, there are going to be plenty of evenings that you want to spend outside with your family. However, each part of the country experiences varying temperatures. This means that certain parts of the country will have more time to spend outdoors because of their warm temperatures, where other states may benefit from an outdoor kitchen that is protected under a cover or partial roof to protect you from inclement weather.

2. Outdoor Kitchen Functionality

Although outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular, no two outdoor kitchens are exactly alike. This is because your outdoor kitchen needs to align with your specific budget, lifestyle, and landscape. Depending on your family’s needs, you might be able to get away with installing a grill and additional prep space. But you may have additional needs and want a fully functional kitchen in your backyard with everything from a sink, fridge, and ice maker to a pizza oven, grill, and standard oven. Determine the needs of your family and what you plan to use the outdoor kitchen for so you can customize your space to meet your needs.

As a bonus tip, you should also consider how many family members and guests you will need to accommodate for. Do you host neighborhood gatherings where you’re cooking a lot of food at once? Or are most of your meals for your immediate family? Depending on the number of people you plan to regularly cook for, you may need to account for additional prep space or larger appliances.

3. Your Kitchen Layout

While the layout of your outdoor kitchen might not seem as important since you aren’t confined by four walls, it’s just as important! While you don’t need to focus on fitting everything within the constraints on four walls, you need to make sure it complements your landscape. How close do you want the outdoor kitchen to your house? Will the outdoor kitchen be right outside the back door or will it be further into your backyard near the pool? Are there areas in your yard that get more shade, allowing the refrigerator to avoid being directly in the sun’s heat? Take your existing backyard layout into consideration and find a way to seamlessly integrate your new outdoor kitchen into the space.

4. Durable Materials

Because your outdoor kitchen is exposed to whatever Mother Nature decides to throw its way, it’s important to select high-quality, durable materials that are built to last. As you design the layout of your outdoor kitchen, you’ll also want to consider the different materials that can be used for the structure of the kitchen, as well as the countertops and appliances. For durability, natural stone, concrete, or tile are an optimal choice for countertops because of their ability to withstand high winds, heavy rains, snowstorms, and extreme heat.

5. Task Lighting

While the sun will often provide ample lighting while you cook, there will likely be times that you find yourself cooking or cleaning up after the sun has gone down. Without proper lighting, this can make these tasks not only difficult but dangerous as well! Install light fixtures near your food prep areas, overhead if the space allows, or on an exterior wall nearby the kitchen. While the additional lighting will make it easier to work in the kitchen, it will have the added benefit of providing mood lighting in the area while you entertain friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good size for an outdoor kitchen?

For a full-size outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to account for at least 48 inches of counter space, a sink, grill, burner, and fridge. If you want to accommodate larger groups of people, you can extend the counter space to 156 inches, add an island, and other features like an outdoor dishwasher or a second sink. Much like your indoor kitchen, the ideal size of your outdoor kitchen will depend on your personal needs, preferences, and space.

What is the best countertop material for an outdoor kitchen?

Not all countertops are created equal, which is why you need to install counters that are resilient enough to handle all outdoor conditions. A few of the best countertop material choices for outdoor kitchens include stone, wood, concrete, metal, and manufactured materials.

Where should the outdoor kitchen be located?

While you can design your outdoor kitchen to be anywhere within your backyard, the recommended location is near your home — on your patio. The closer you are to your kitchen and backdoor, the easier it will be for you to transport food out to the food preparation area and clean up at the end of the night.

What appliances should be included in an outdoor kitchen?

Before building out your outdoor kitchen, you need to decide what appliances should be installed. Ask yourself what you plan on cooking outdoors versus what you plan to continue cooking inside. In most cases, you will want to include a grill and oven. But depending on how you host your parties, you may also old to add a refrigerator, ice maker, and sink. Consider your needs and make sure you have them covered so you don’t need to run back and forth between your indoor kitchen.