A Complete Guide to Designing an Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen Design Guide

It's easier than you think to add a functional outdoor kitchen to your home. Outdoor kitchens make for easy and comfortable summer cooking and entertaining, and they can be a stylish feature of a well-landscaped modern backyard. There are so many design options that you may be wondering where to start or which elements you must include. Here is your comprehensive guide to outdoor kitchen design.



Why Should You Include an Outdoor Kitchen in Your Landscaping Plans?

Outdoor kitchens are achievable home improvement projects with a huge array of possible styles and budgets. You can go all-out and create a functional copy of your indoor kitchen, or you can do a scaled-back grill setup. Both can integrate well with a comprehensive backyard landscaping plan.

A well-designed outdoor kitchen also has the potential to pay for itself in home equity. Homes whose listings mentioned an outdoor kitchen sold for 4.5% more according to Zillow.

Where Should You Place an Outdoor Kitchen?

The first step in designing an outdoor kitchen is choosing a location. Choose a location close to your home to minimize carrying distance from your indoor kitchen.

Elaborate outdoor kitchens with plumbing and electrical needs should be attached to the house on at least one side. Rustic and lower-budget outdoor kitchens, such as a grill setup with counter islands, can be slightly farther from the back door.

Make sure your outdoor kitchen is far out of the way of other landscaping design features such as a pool, pond or decorative garden. Design a separate seating area nearby for easy entertaining.

What 5 Elements Does Every Outdoor Kitchen Need?

After selecting a location, plan to include the five elements crucial to any outdoor kitchen.

1. Cooking Tools

The cooking implement is probably the first thing you daydreamed about when planning an outdoor kitchen. A grill is the classic choice, and there are dozens of styles, from expensive gas ranges to budget-friendly charcoal kettle grills.

If your budget is high, look beyond the grill for inspiration. Pizza ovens are a trendy and useful addition to an outdoor cooking space that can attract a buyer's attention. These extremely high-heat ovens are more practical outside a home than inside, and they can roast meats and side dishes as well as cook pizza.

2. Prep Space

Prep space is a constant concern in outdoor kitchen design. It's better to include too much counter space than not enough. Since the counters will be outdoors, make sure to select easy-to-clean materials that resist dirt and moisture damage.

Flank your grill or cooking station with countertop islands. Then, consider creating a galley or L-shaped outdoor kitchen layout for even more room. A galley layout includes a strip of islands running parallel to the grill station, while an L-shaped setup places them perpendicular to the cooking station.

Incorporating a sink into an outdoor kitchen is a big help with both prep and cleanup. Attach your outdoor kitchen to your house to add this useful feature to an adjoining wall.

3. Serving Space

Make sure friends and family don't crowd your cooking area when it's time to serve. Add a designated serving space to your kitchen layout where you can plate food and allow for easy pickup. This serving space can be either the outermost stretch of your kitchen counter or a specialized island or table next to the cooking station.

4. Minibar

Consider adding a station for drinks and appetizers that won't interfere with your cooking station or your precious counter space. In a low-budget setup, a minibar station can consist of a few coolers set apart from the kitchen. A high-budget outdoor kitchen can include a small bar top, bar stools and a small fridge underneath.

5. Light and Sound

Add lighting to your kitchen for easier food prep and cleanup as the sun sets. Ample outdoor lighting also creates a more welcoming entertaining space for your entire backyard. Installing a sound system is an optional easy upgrade that transforms the atmosphere of an outdoor kitchen.

Where Can You Find Landscaping Help To Transform Your Yard Into an Outdoor Entertaining Space?

An outdoor kitchen can be the jewel of a well-designed backyard. Create the best environment for outdoor entertaining with professional help from a landscaping contractor. At Canepa Landscaping, we design functional and beautiful custom outdoor spaces. For more information on transforming your yard into a haven, contact us through our easy online form.