Outdoor Kitchen Ideas – How To Make An Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen With Bar-B-Que
kitchen
(Image credit: aoldman)

Cooking outdoors is a fun way to enjoy your garden with family and friends. The endeavor may be as simple as having a patio and BBQ, or as complex as a wine bar and pizza oven. Looking at outdoor kitchen ideas is enough to make you salivate. Plan the kitchen that fits into your budget and fulfills your dreams.

How to Make an Outdoor Kitchen

If you live in a warm region, you probably spend as much time outdoors as possible. Cooking outside avoids heating up the home interior. Even northern cooks like to spend spring and summer outside. With heaters, fireplaces, and misters for hot zones, any outdoor space can be comfortable enough to entertain and have guests for dinner. First, you must build the perfect backyard kitchen.

Dream of an outdoor kitchen? You can hire to get the job done but it will be expensive. However, there are some fairly easy backyard kitchen ideas that you can tackle yourself. Designing a kitchen in the garden starts with deciding how much space you need and what purpose it will fulfill. You may also need to lay a patio or foundation and run electricity, gas, or other heating as well as lighting. Then the fun part starts.

Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

A kitchen island will tie the whole affair together and is the heart of the cooking site. You can use repurposed materials to build your own or find a pre-built island that includes everything you need. Materials will range from wood to brick, and even stone. Everyone will have a different idea on how to make an outdoor kitchen, but most parts will be the same.

You need a heat source. This can be a gas range, fir fueled pit, BBQ, or whatever else you like to cook upon. Next, consider if you need a sink, refrigeration, storage, or other requirements. Again, these can be repurposed items or brand new.

Finishing a Kitchen in the Garden

Seating is a must. You may like countertop casual, sit down formal, or intimately cozy. Keep the seating area in close proximity to the kitchen so the cook doesn't miss all the conversations and laughs while preparing the meal. Use cushions and garden features to set off the seating area. Leave room for items like a mini bar, cooler, or other specialty items.

Using an outdoor rug will really warm up the space, as does the use of heaters or a fireplace. To really bring the garden in, place planters and hanging baskets of flowers and plants around.

With a little planning and effort, you could soon be cooking and eating all your meals outdoors.

Discover More Ideas for Outdoor Living

Bonnie L. Grant
Writer

Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.