According to the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), more homeowners than ever before are incorporating outdoor kitchen designs into their backyard landscaping plans.
Considered as much more than simply a place to cook, these spaces are now designated as extensions of the home, with a focus on both fun and functionality.
Are you planning to create a patio space that allows you to saute, bake and grill under the stars? If so, it pays to do a little research beforehand. Today, you can find plenty of inspirational ideas to help you transform your outdoor kitchen into the ideal entertaining and eating spot.
If you’re on the fence about the kind of design you want, read on. We’re sharing 12 amazing design ideas to help spark your creativity!
1. Outdoor Covered Pavilion
You want the experience of dining al fresco. You love the idea of sitting under soft evening breezes and watching the fireflies dance in the summertime. Yet, you also want to be near modern amenities, including ceiling fans and outdoor heaters!
This is where a covered pavilion is perfect. You can design yours to any scale you prefer, using a variety of materials including natural stone, corrugated metal or vinyl. A 500-square-foot one is large enough to host big family gathering but still feels intimate for a dinner date.
If you have space, you can even turn a portion of your pavilion into storage space. Install double doors behind the eating area and use that room to hold off-season holiday decorations, outdoor tools, and more!
2. Silo-Style Kitchen
There’s no denying the universal appeal of modern farmhouse style. Today, the Joanna Gaines-inspired aesthetic is everywhere you look, from pots and pans to patios.
You can even find manufacturers that create outdoor kitchens designed to look like repurposed grain siloes! Of course, if you live on a farm and have access to an actual silo, that will work, too! Renovating it will just require access to the right power tools and lumber.
Most siloes come equipped with a window that makes the perfect drink bar! Make a bar using reclaimed wood and add some metal stools and you’ve got the best cocktail spot in the neighborhood.
3. Brick Pizza Oven
Love the idea of feeding your family with a rustic, beautiful homemade pizza every week? While store-bought varieties will work fine in a pinch, there’s something special about one that you create from scratch!
The good news? You don’t have to visit a fancy Italian restaurant to get those rich flavors. With the right backyard brick oven, you can have decadent, hand-tossed pizza any day you prefer!
To get started, find the perfect spot and order your kit online. There are myriad companies that can supply the materials and pre-formed parts that you need for your oven. Most of the top-tier ones come equipped with a dome and opening, along with a chimney, kiln blanket, insulation, and vapor barrier.
4. Natural Stone
One of the best parts about eating al fresco is that it connects you with nature. To that end, why not incorporate plenty of natural materials into your outdoor kitchen plans?
As you’re designing your fireplace, grill station, island and countertops, consider nixing other materials in favor of rough-hewn, natural stones and slabs in various shades of brown, gray and white? Not only does this lend a rustic and primitive look to your kitchen, but it also helps it blend in as much as possible to its background.
This way, your patio becomes part of your overall landscape design, rather than detracting from it.
5. Pallet Kitchens
Do you have any leftover wooden pallets from that one woodworking project you started but never finished? Whether the wood is natural or stained, it will make an excellent accent and accessory to your outdoor kitchen. You can also buy your pallets new if you don’t have any available.
Depending on how many pallets you have, you can use them in various ways. For instance, multi-colored pallets look great as a backsplash to your countertops. You can even hang decorative signs and prints from them with ease.
In addition, you can also use the pallets as cabinet fronts. Leave them plain or paint them as you prefer!
6. A Lounge-Worthy Space
As you’re planning the conventional parts of your outdoor kitchen, don’t forget to incorporate plenty of coziness, as well.
Along with your outdoor oven, grill and preparation space, remember to add in comfy seating! If your patio is oversized, a plush sectional is a great addition, allowing all of your guests to spread out and mingle. Or, a smaller loveseat will work in tighter spaces, as will multiple upholstered chairs.
Whichever design you choose, make sure that you use weather-resistant fabric that will hold up to rain, sun and snow with ease!
7. Gardenside Dining
Do you love to cook with fresh herbs plucked straight from your vegetable garden? From cilantro and rosemary to parsley and basil, there are many plants that pack a ton of flavor in their tiny leaves!
This is why it makes total sense to position your outdoor kitchen as close to your garden as possible! If your budget allows, consider building both an open-air kitchen and enclosed dining space can help you enjoy the best of all worlds. Outfit both areas with electricity and water and you’ll never want to move indoors!
On the back of one of your structures, attach a few sheets of pegboard for easy storage and retrieval of your favorite garden tools, including your clippers. This makes it easier than ever to add a little greenery to your pasta or pizza dish!
8. Chalkboard Menus
Have you ever heard of chalkboard paint? This handy hardware store staple helps you turn almost any surface into a makeshift chalkboard!
For an interactive twist to your outdoor kitchen, consider eschewing the traditional tile backsplash. Instead, cover that surface with chalkboard paint and keep a few pieces of pastel-colored chalk nearby! You can use this space to write the menu for the night, make a grocery list, or simply allow your guests to leave notes before they leave.
Easy to maintain and a cinch to clean, this is one touch that you’ll never regret adding!
9. The Perfect Pergola
Backyard enthusiasts can’t stop raving about pergolas, and for good reason. These outdoor garden features give an open-air feel to your patio, but with a twist.
Though their sides are open, most pergolas are at least somewhat covered on top. Some might block the sun fully, with a roof of sheet metal or shingles. Most of the time, however, they feature a sturdy wooden lattice. In any case, all are supported by vertical posts or pillars anchored into the ground.
If you opt for a latticed pergola, you can add plenty of character and color by training a vine to trail in and out of the slats. Not only does this make the feature more attractive, but the plant also helps to block the sun! These are ideal fixtures when you want to enjoy all of the perks of outdoor dining without any of the usual drawbacks.
10. Invest in Lighting
When planning your outdoor kitchen, don’t forget to think about your landscape lighting design. While you naturally want soft, welcoming lights all around that area, it’s important to remember that safety comes first.
This means that all of your walkways should be well-lit, as well as any entrances and exits. Invest in extra lights around the areas where you’ll be cooking, too. Then, you can use softer uplights to illuminate conversation spots, drink bars and other social spaces.
11. Add a Water Feature
Science shows that simply looking at moving water does something spectacular to our brains. It actually serves as mental “white noise”, relaxing our tensions and soothing our anxieties.
If you have the space, consider building or buying a small water fountain to add ambience to your outdoor kitchen. You can make this feature as elaborate or simple as you choose, using materials that flow well with your landscape. Set a few chairs around this spot to encourage late-night socialization as the water splashes, bubbles and flows.
12. Incorporate Technology
From automatic awnings to overhead televisions, there are quite a few technological touches that can take your outdoor kitchen to the next level. Work with a qualified electrician to install all of these features and only choose the ones that are most important to you.
Remember: The main reason you’re building this spot in the first place is to enjoy the beauty of the natural world around you while you spend time with your friends and family. Small doses of screens and smart devices can be welcome, but resist the urge to overload this space with digital tools.
Create Your Own Outdoor Kitchen Designs
Ultimately, the way you design your open-air kitchen is entirely up to you. While this list can help you gather ideas and get started, you’re the one who will spend time out here the most.
As you browse outdoor kitchen designs, take note of the ones that appeal to you the most. Then, find a local builder who can help you bring your ideas to life! If you have the right tools, you may even be able to tackle the project yourself.
Along the way, be sure to check back here often for advice and recommendations on the right equipment, furniture and accessories to buy for your patio! Thinking of beautifying your patio with Tiki Torches? Check out our reviews on the best ones for your buck!