Functional, stylish and convenient. An outdoor kitchen is that and more. Building an outdoor kitchen doesn’t have to be a big undertaking if you have the right products. If you understand more about an outside kitchen, you’ll come up with so many ideas that you’ll want to start your project right away.
We’ve gathered the benefits of an outdoor kitchen and design considerations for you to build an entertainment oasis right outside your door. Read on to discover expert outdoor kitchen design tips to help you create your dream backyard kitchen.
Designing a backyard kitchen may seem intimidating. Learning the benefits will help you feel confident about building an outdoor kitchen. With your new space, you can:
1. Maximize entertainment and living space: The most obvious perk of adding a backyard kitchen is getting more space. You’ll have more room to entertain, especially larger groups. Maybe your indoor space isn’t open or spacious enough for large parties. An outdoor kitchen gives you patio and yard space for people to relax in while you prepare a delicious meal. Even if you don’t entertain often, you or your family will still get use out of an outdoor kitchen.
2. Add value to your home: Since the elements you use for your outdoor kitchen will be high-quality, they’ll last for a long time. The investment adds value to your home, even if you don’t sell right away. Potential buyers will love the unique addition of a kitchen outside. If you don’t plan to sell your home, expanding your outdoor living area is still a worthwhile investment.
3. Make healthy and delicious meals: Grilled meals use less oil than fried food or other meals you cook inside. When you grill, you also allow more moisture to stay in the food you cook, making it taste even better. With an outdoor kitchen, you’ll always want to prepare delicious meals outside, and with the bonus of making healthy alternatives, you can feel happy about what you eat.
4. Keep strong cooking smells outside:Cooking fish, spicy food and other meals can leave strong smells lingering inside. With an outdoor kitchen, those smells quickly dissipate in the open, fresh air.
5. Make cooking fun: You currently cook almost every meal inside. It can get repetitive and maybe even a bit boring to always cook in the same place. Building an outdoor kitchen provides a new space to work in with new kitchen appliances. Install cooking appliances in your outdoor space that you couldn’t use indoors to mix up your routine.
6. Save on utility bills: When you cook inside, your home temperature increases. Your air conditioner has to work harder to combat the heat. When you cook outside, you don’t have to worry about heating your indoor kitchen, saving your air conditioner from working overtime.
7. Save money on ordering out: An outdoor kitchen makes cooking exciting again. You’ll want to use your new appliances and the new space to create memories and delicious meals. Avoid going out to eat on the weekends or ordering takeout, and use your new outdoor kitchen instead.
8. Make outdoor cooking easier: If you currently only have a grill outside, you know the importance of having more prep space. Outdoor kitchen designs give you counter space to work on, a sink for easy cleanup and a fridge to eliminate excessive trips in and out of your home. Clean-up will be simple at the end of the night since you can wash and store your dishes and utensils outside without carrying everything back inside.
9. Spend more time outside: With an integrated kitchen and entertainment space outside your door, you’ll never want to go inside. Enjoy the fresh air with your friends and family or relish a night under the stars in your beautiful new outdoor kitchen.
Once you have your own kitchen outside, you’ll find more and more benefits. The first step to getting the perks of an outdoor kitchen is to create your design.
You have a lot to think about as you begin your outdoor kitchen design plans. Some considerations will help you get outdoor kitchen ideas that suit your lifestyle and home, such as:
1. How you will use your indoor and outdoor kitchens together: Think about the distance between your indoor kitchen and where you’d like to have your outdoor kitchen. Be sure there is an accessible path between them. You may be headed in and out of your home to get different cooking utensils or ingredients that you don’t leave outside. Ensure a clear traffic pattern between the two kitchens to avoid inconveniences.
2. What materials work best outside: Any low-porous material is suitable for an outside kitchen. Look for materials that are water-, corrosion- and grease-resistant. The easier your kitchen is to maintain, the more time you’ll want to spend using it.
3. What design choices complement your home: Reflect your home’s architecture and style in your outdoor kitchen designs. Draw inspiration from your kitchen inside if you feel it matches your home’s overall look. If you aren’t sure what your house’s style is, see if it features more modern, clean lines or ornate details. Mirror these aspects in your outdoor kitchen for a cohesive look.
4. How you want to integrate your outside kitchen with other outdoor areas: If you already have an outdoor entertainment space, don’t isolate the kitchen from it. Ensure a flow of traffic from your pool to outdoor seating to your outdoor kitchen. Integrate the new kitchen to make it feel cohesive with the rest of your outdoor entertaining areas rather than an out-of-place feature.
5. Where you need to install utilities: Remember that you’ll also have to install gas, water and electricity as you plan your outdoor kitchen design. See where you can install each utility in discreet yet functional places. Since many backyard kitchen designs don’t feature a wall to have appliances against, you may have to get creative with utility solutions.
6. How you want to incorporate other entertainment: Cooking and eating outside is entertaining in itself, but you might want more for your guests or yourself. Consider integrating music players or a television into your design. Plan for entertainment now so you don’t have to figure out where to put it later. Be sure that you choose a TV with a bright enough screen for outdoor use, and place it in a spot that doesn’t always get direct sunlight. Determine how you will protect these electronics from the elements.
7. What you will use the space for: Think about how often you entertain others or how much you want to use your outdoor space for yourself. If you plan on entertaining large groups regularly, incorporate a lot of seating. If you only plan to use the outdoor kitchen for yourself or your family, you can limit the size while still having an impressive, stylish kitchen.
8. How you choose to layout the space: Any kitchen, whether outside or inside, needs a triangular arrangement. Create a triangle with your fridge, grill and sink for an efficient setup. You won’t want to go outside and use an area with an inefficient layout, so be sure to implement this kitchen rule.
9. What time of day you plan to use the kitchen: If you’re going to entertain at night or cook dinners outside, integrate ample lighting. If you’d prefer to use your area for breakfasts or relax outside earlier in the day, be sure you have coverings that provide comfortable shade. You can combine these elements into one area, so don’t worry if you decide to use your outdoor kitchen throughout the day and evening.
10. How you will light the space: Proper lighting provides safety and ambiance everywhere, especially in a kitchen outside. You will use your entertainment space well into the night with appropriate lighting. Install useful lighting around prep and cooking spaces, and light any steps or walking paths for safety. Use soft lighting near seating areas for ambiance. Consider installing lights with dimmers so you can adjust from brighter lights for cooking to softer lights for relaxing and entertaining.
11. What appliances you need: Adventurous cooks can install an outdoor smoker or other cooking appliances you can’t have indoors. Remember that you still have access to your indoor kitchen, so you may not need a full-size fridge in your outside kitchen. Mini appliances are always an option for outdoor kitchens as it gives you more space for work surfaces and entertainment areas.
12. How much time you can devote to maintenance: If you don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to upkeep, a simple outdoor kitchen will be easier for you. A galley kitchen or other small layout creates the perfect compromise between wanting an outdoor kitchen and not having time to clean and maintain it.
Consider all of the above as you draft up outdoor kitchen design plans. Evaluating how you’ll use your space before you create it will help you make a functional outdoor kitchen. If you were unsure about any aspects of the design, thinking about these details will help you make some critical decisions.
One of the most significant decisions you’ll make for your backyard kitchen design is the layout. Your outdoor kitchen, similar to an indoor one, can come in different designs and shapes. The best interior kitchen layouts maximize the flow of food preparation, cooking and serving. Your outdoor kitchen should also be set up with your cooking preferences and available space in mind. Designers know the secret to an efficient kitchen is creating the perfect work triangle — the sink, fridge and cooktop.
Much like their indoor counterparts, outside kitchens feature three main areas with the sink, fridge and grill, along with the unique addition of a crucial fourth area — outdoor entertaining. Bring your backyard to life with one of these tried-and-true outdoor kitchen layouts:
1. Space-saving linear island: Ideal for smaller spaces, a straight-line kitchen can stand alone as a freestanding island or run along the side of your home. Homeowners with compact linear islands close to the house may decide to skip adding a sink. A classic straight-line island typically places the grill at the center point, with prep space on either side and a fridge below.
2. Double galley islands: While one kitchen island is good, two are great! A double galley kitchen runs two linear islands parallel to each other with approximately 3 feet of space between them. This layout is beneficial if multiple people zoom around preparing food and grilling at the same time. You can mirror two identical islands, or create two distinct zones — one island dedicated to food prep with a sink and fridge, and the other island a home for grills and a dedicated plate-and-serve area.
3. Classic L-shaped island: The popular L-shaped outdoor kitchen more closely resembles the classic triangulated kitchen layout for better efficiency. The versatile L shape also allows you to place the entertainment and cooking areas on opposite legs of the kitchen. An L-shaped island is an excellent choice for a larger-feeling kitchen that maintains optimal proximity between the grill, fridge and sink.
4. Cozy U-shaped layout: For cooks who prefer a more enclosed workspace, a U-shaped outdoor kitchen creates a cozy kitchen oasis. With three sides to the kitchen, a U-shape offers maximum versatility for grills, fridge, sink, storage, countertop prep space and entertaining.
5. Split level: Up the entertainment value of any of the above layouts with a heightened split-level countertop for a bar-and-dining area accessible from the back of your island. A split-level counter lets you prepare food and grill your favorite dishes while chatting with guests on the other side of your work area. Friends and family can pull up a stool to eat and converse while you cook, so no one misses out on valuable visiting time!
Give guests a fun and relaxing experience by keeping these outdoor kitchen design tips in mind:
You want to use your new outdoor space as much as possible, and careful design planning can help you do that. As you formulate a design plan, you’ll also have to think about the appliances, products and overall maintenance you need in your outdoor kitchen.
As you plan your backyard kitchen design, you should also let maintenance guide your decisions. Maintaining your outdoor kitchen will be easier if you consider how you will do it as you design the space. To care for an outdoor kitchen:
1. Use sliders on the bottom of furniture: Scratch-resistant decks are still susceptible to wear. If you have a dining area or other movable furniture, use sliders on the bottom to protect your decking.
2. Keep rubber mats inside: Many kitchens use rubber mats. They provide cushioning as you’re standing for a long time at the sink or stove. Use these mats inside because, on outdoor decking, they can trap moisture and create marks.
3. Cover what you can when you’re not using it:Use covers on your counters, grill and other cooking appliances. Protect your valuable appliances and surfaces from rain, wind, sun and other environmental concerns.
4. Keep the countertops clean: You clean your indoor kitchen’s countertops, so why not clean the ones outside? After use, be sure to wipe counters down with the appropriate kitchen surface cleaner. Cleaning the countertops keeps your outdoor kitchen sanitary and ensures that your counters will last longer.
5. Clean the grill after use: A clean grill is a safe grill. Excess grease can cause grill flare-ups, which puts you, your guests and your outdoor kitchen in danger. After every use, brush your grill down with a grill brush or scraper, and wipe off racks once they’ve cooled. Wipe down the outside after use, as well, to keep your outdoor kitchen looking spotless. As a bonus, your food will also taste better when you cook on a clean grill.
6. Winterize the space: If you live in a colder climate, you should winterize your outdoor kitchen. Put your grill and other furniture in storage if you can, so that they aren’t exposed to the cold or snow. Use protective covers on anything that you cannot move inside. Choose plumbing with the right insulation to prevent frozen pipes, and shut off the water to your outdoor kitchen once it’s cold outside.
Taking care of your outdoor kitchen will help it last. Choosing high-quality elements also ensures your space will look as good as it did on the first day, but you have to know what features you need to include in the first place.
For most of your outdoor kitchen, you can look at your indoor space for inspiration. You’ll need most of the appliances, work areas and products in your inside kitchen for a backyard one.
Any kitchen has four primary zones:
The straightforward kitchen zones make it easy to organize what elements you need to incorporate in your backyard kitchen design. Hot zones are cooking appliances, and cold zones are refrigerators and freezers. Your sink is the wet zone, and the dry zone is any prep surfaces. The only differences with an outdoor kitchen are the materials you use and a bit more flexibility with the hot zone. Create these zones using different elements and kitchen appliances in your outdoor kitchen, such as:
An outdoor kitchen needs similar features that you have indoors, but you have a bit more freedom outside. Grills, wood stoves and smokers all bring great flavor to food that you couldn’t get in your indoor kitchen. You can cook a greater variety outside without worrying about the smell, the heat or the smoke.
Some other elements you should incorporate, especially if you have ample space, include:
Your outdoor kitchen can easily become an outdoor oasis with the right elements. You don’t have to go over the top to create a dream kitchen, though. You just need the right appliances and a few other essential elements from a high-quality provider.
Wolf Home Products creates elements perfect for your outdoor kitchen space. Light up your kitchen, get the storage and workspace you need and build the floor of your deck with materials that last.
One of the first choices you’ll make for your outdoor kitchen is the type of flooring. The base of your new outdoor space, Wolf Decking comes in a range of colors. Check out the variety of porch and deck options at Wolf Home Products:
1. Wolf Perspective™ Decking: Get the look and texture of wood grain in a more durable material. We craft our Wolf Perspective Decking with up to 94% recycled materials. The strong core and composite materials create boards resistant to mold, mildew and moisture. Add durable sophistication to your backyard kitchen and other outdoor entertainment areas. Wolf Perspective Decking will last for years to come. Get flooring that resists rotting, splitting and cracking to maintain a beautiful space.
2. Wolf Serenity™ Decking: Never deal with the hassle of taking care of wood decking again. With Wolf Serenity Decking, you can get the refined look of wood boards without the maintenance. Wolf Serenity Decking has the same durable qualities of Wolf Perspective Decking, giving you a couple of long-lasting options.
3. Wolf Serenity™ Porch: If you’re looking for the same benefits as Wolf Serenity Decking but in a slimmer style, consider the Wolf Serenity Porch. The material is water-repellent and resistant to color fade. Even if your flooring is exposed to the sun, it will keep its brilliant color.
Our decking is easy to install with hidden fasteners or tongue-and-groove designs. The quicker you get your flooring installed, the quicker you can continue with the rest of your backyard kitchen design. To make your dream a reality, you’ll need other outdoor kitchen components.
After your cooking appliances, your countertops and storage are the most vital components of your outdoor kitchen. Counters and cabinets set your outdoor kitchen apart from a simple grill setup. You’ll get the storage and prep surfaces you never had in your backyard before. Our Wolf Endurance™ Cabinetry provides both of those conveniences. Many aspects of our outdoor cabinetry make it the best choice for your backyard kitchen design, such as:
The cabinets you choose will determine your layout. Select an option like Wolf Endurance Cabinetry that provides flexibility and durability.
Light up your new stylish cabinets and the rest of your outdoor kitchen with the right outdoor lighting. Wolf Outdoor Lighting provides ambiance with simple installation. You won’t need permits or an electrician to install this energy-efficient lighting. At Wolf Home Products, we offer lighting that you can use in three ways in your outdoor kitchen:
When you’re figuring out your lighting plan, you’ll need to know what railings you’ll use. Our lighting is compatible with our railing systems, making it easy to choose. We create Wolf Railing that is easy to install and made of sturdy materials. Pair our railings with our cabinetry and flooring for a cohesive, stylish and long-lasting outdoor kitchen.
High-quality products don’t need to come at incredibly high costs. Wolf Home Products wants you to be happy with your new backyard kitchen so you’ll use it for years to come. To guarantee that, we offer affordable outdoor products with premium quality.
Ready to experience the stylish convenience of an outdoor kitchen? Create your backyard kitchen design today with Wolf Home Products. Our premium products come at an affordable cost, guaranteeing almost anyone with almost any budget their dream outside kitchen. Find a Wolf Home Products dealer near you and make your outdoor kitchen ideas come to life.
