Tips for Your Kitchen’s Outdoor Design
You are undoubtedly already aware of the huge rise in popularity of outdoor kitchens in recent years if you enjoy lounging outdoors with loved ones. An ideal outdoor kitchen design can be a year-round haven for foodies and those who love hosting outside, giving homeowners the ideal chance to enjoy the benefits of outdoor living.
However, even if you only use your outdoor kitchen in the summer, you still need to give careful thought to its design. Your particular needs and preferences must be taken into consideration during the design process in order for your outdoor kitchen to be both functional and enjoyable, just like a regular indoor kitchen.
Is this going to require more work than you anticipated? Our team of experts is here to help you ensure that your outdoor kitchen design is done correctly the first time, so do not worry.
Simply adhere to our advice, then watch for inspiration to strike for your outdoor kitchen!
Let’s get started.
1. Maximise the space in your outdoor kitchen design.
Not everyone has the luxury of a large backyard to choose where to locate their outdoor kitchen. This is why you should always start by evaluating the space you are working with and then proceed from there.
Once you have identified an area you believe could work, we recommend:
researching the ‘kitchen work triangle’ layout.
The kitchen triangle, like an indoor kitchen layout, can serve as a good starting point when designing your outdoor kitchen space. While people frequently arrange their sink, stove, and refrigerator in a triangle-shaped layout in a regular kitchen, the same can be said for your outdoor kitchen.
The kitchen work triangle is all about ensuring that your kitchen’s layout is functional for workflow. To customise this layout for your outdoor needs, arrange your washbasin (or outdoor water source), outdoor cooking appliance/BBQ and food storage or prep area appropriately.
Prioritising what matters most to you
Nobody likes wasting space, but your outdoor kitchen should not feel crowded. It can be tempting to cram everything into a single space, especially if you live in a residential neighbourhood with a small backyard.
To avoid this, we recommend prioritising areas that you believe will be most relevant to you and giving those spaces their due.
For example, some homeowners may prefer to do their food preparation indoors, freeing up space for a larger plating area, outdoor bar, or even an additional grill. On the other hand, some hosts will want to prioritise their guests’ outdoor cooking experience and, as a result, may be willing to sacrifice storage space or luxurious features in order to maximise prep space.
Considerations for safety
Outdoor kitchens require constant attention to safety. To ensure that your space is both safe and enjoyable for everyone, you should consider fireproof materials as well as any potential hazards for children playing outside.
If your outdoor kitchen is covered, it’s also a good idea to consider ventilation and clearance. For this, an outdoor range hood (that can be tailored to your ventilation system of choice) is a great option for clearing odours or smoke from outdoor cooking.
It’s also good to remember that not all zones and surfaces are suitable for an outdoor kitchen, so be sure to evaluate the landscape you’re working with and consider features like trees, walls, and unstable patios.
You’ll also want to ensure that your outdoor kitchen setup is as flat as possible and is free from the risk of branch debris and other loose materials. When the wind picks up, you don’t want to put your guests (or your kitchen!) at risk.
2. Select the right equipment
For most homeowners going ‘all in’ on the idea of cooking outdoors, your cooking preferences are most likely to guide your equipment choices. Whether you’re a hardcore charcoal grill fan or are more of a pizza oven person, focusing on the grills and cooking appliances you like can help shape the rest of your kitchen design.
Some cooking equipment options include:
- Gas grill (often includes a side burner)
- Grill with pellets
- Charcoal Grill
- Smoker
- Electric grill
- Pizza oven
Once you’ve selected your cooking apparatus of choice, you’ll find that the rest of your outdoor kitchen design ideas fall more easily into place. Just make sure to select high-quality appliances built to withstand outdoor elements and that are easy to clean and maintain!
Tip: If you choose electric equipment or a full outdoor kitchen island with a sink and refrigerator, it is always best to hire professionals to handle your plumbing and electrical needs.
3. Strike a balance between a relaxing aesthetic and an entertaining atmosphere.
An outdoor kitchen is not just for cooking; it’s also for relaxing and socialising. This is why it’s important to consider adding a seating area where your guests can relax while you cook.
To make your dining experience more comfortable, we recommend:
- Outdoor sofas and chairs (placed close to your cooking area but a safe distance away to prevent fabrics from absorbing smoke or odours)
- A designated eating area with a dining table
- Umbrellas or pergolas — to create shade in your yard
- Outdoor rugs
- Bar stools (if you want company while you cook!)
Adding a fire pit or outdoor fireplace can also create a cosy ambiance for an evening meal or gathering. Just be sure to always select a reputable supplier to avoid any unnecessary risks.
4. Invest in appropriate lighting solutions.
Good lighting is crucial for your outdoor kitchen. In addition to its practical benefits, it is an excellent way to create a more ambient atmosphere.
Popular examples of outdoor kitchen lighting include:
- Task lighting: strategically placed lights over the cooking and preparation areas.
- Mood lighting — lights to’set the mood,’ such as string lights or lanterns.
- Accent lighting highlights the focal points of your outdoor kitchen, such as the bar area.
- Safety lighting: lights to help guests find their way back inside or to identify a change in ground level
Tip: It’s also vital that all outdoor fixtures are designed to withstand the elements before leaving them outside at night or in the rain. Fortunately, there are numerous options to choose from, so get your creative juices flowing while also taking functionality into consideration!
5. Be practical with your outdoor kitchen design
Following on from the previous point, one of the most important things to remember when designing your outdoor kitchen is to be practical. While investing in features such as a boiling water tap or an outdoor refrigerator might be tempting, it’s important to think about the logistics first.
Some questions we recommend you ask yourself include:
- Will certain features I’m installing require additional wiring, plumbing, or even structural expertise?
- What is the main purpose of my outdoor kitchen—iis it for casual dining or more elaborate barbeque entertaining?
- Am I considering the essentials first before focusing on luxurious details?
- What is my overall budget, and can it be adjusted if I source better-quality materials and equipment?
When designing an outdoor kitchen, it’s also important to be practical about the weather. A wooden outdoor kitchen is not only combustible; it’s also more likely to rot in damp weather, so our advice is to stick to durable, weather-resistant, and fire-safe materials like granite, stainless steel, and concrete for your countertops and cabinets.
Furthermore, if you have an integrated barbecue that cannot be stored indoors over the winter, we always recommend using a grill cover to protect it. Materials such as stainless steel can still rust if not cared for correctly, so always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the best results.
