31 Of The Best Outdoor Kitchen Ideas With Pictures
homedude is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, We may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
An outdoor kitchen is a perfect place to gather with friends and family for a cookout or BBQ. When the weather is beautiful, nobody wants to be cooped up in the house when they could be outside enjoying it!
Depending upon your budget and the size of the area that you’re working with, you can choose a design that will work for you. You may wish to build an extravagant and luxurious outdoor kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances and all of the comforts that money can buy, or you may want something simple with just the basics and necessities.
We’ve compiled a list of 31 outdoor kitchen ideas for a variety of budgets and personal styles. We feature ideas that have shelter and those that don’t. We also feature outdoor kitchens with various building materials and features. If you want an outdoor pizza oven, or if you want a grill, you will find ideas here that will work for you.
1. Black Brick Backsplash
For an outdoor kitchen that is both stylish and easy to keep clean, you can opt for a black brick backsplash. The black brick will help hide any smoke stains or heat marks from the grill but also makes stainless steel cabinets and grills look striking.
This outdoor kitchen by John Michael Kitchens is the perfect example of this design style. The potted plant on the counter is a nice addition that gives the kitchen color.
2. Kitchen Island on Rollers
For added convenience, include a kitchen island on rollers in your outdoor kitchen. This makes it possible to move the kitchen island around to wherever you need it most.
This Williams Sonoma Larnaca outdoor kitchen prep table is the perfect kitchen island. You can use it as a space to prepare foods but also as a place to serve food or even eat at. We like the sleek design of this gray island.
3. Wood Fire Pizza Oven
Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a freshly baked pizza with melted cheese and a crisp crust that is straight from the outdoor wood fire pizza oven? This idea would be a great addition to an outdoor kitchen, especially for anyone who loves to hold social gatherings.
The brick wood fire pizza oven shown in the photo is featured by The Green Eyed Girl, who installed it in her garden. What a great idea for a backyard!
4. Add a Pergola
A pergola helps create an inviting atmosphere for an outdoor kitchen. You can use it to hang twinkle lights for nighttime or even grow vines on it for added shade during the daytime.
The pergola in the photo is located on a ranch in Phoenix, Arizona. This is the perfect spot that includes an outdoor kitchen, a dining table, a fire pit with seating, and an inground pool. This space was featured by Kalamazoo Gourmet.
5. Big Green Egg Ceramic Grill
The Big Green EGG ceramic grill is a highly rated product with numerous features including the ability to grill, roast, smoke, sear, and bake. It retains heat and moisture so that the foods you’re cooking don’t dry out. It’s the perfect addition to your outdoor kitchen!
New Eco Landscapes features the Big Green EGG that is built into an outdoor table so that there is space to prepare foods. You can also get a traditional stand for this grill.
6. Game Day Ready
This beautiful space is game day ready! It includes always lush turf, a large TV for watching the game, stainless steel cabinets, a beverage cooler, a grill, and a table with chairs. This spot is also very private with the walls on each side and tall plants at the open end.
John Michael Kitchens created an urban oasis with this design. There are even outdoor string lights hung for nighttime ambiance.
7. Outdoor Fireplace
An outdoor fireplace is a must for any outdoor kitchen area. This is especially useful in areas where there is cooler weather in the fall. Imagine a cool evening outside by a warm fire with friends!
In this My Kindred Living outdoor kitchen, the stone fireplace is paired with stone counters with a stainless steel grill. There are bar stools and a bench for seating options. You can enjoy the warmth and light from the fire in the evenings.
8. Bright Red Cabinets
Brighten up your outdoor kitchen space with bright red cabinets like the ones featured in this John Michael Kitchens design. Outside is the perfect place to add a little style and character that you might not be brave enough to do inside the house.
We are also loving the pergola with vines growing on it, which provides plenty of shade. There are also strings of outdoor lights along the pergola that will make this space magical at night.
9. Keep it Simple
If you don’t have the budget for a full-size outdoor kitchen, just keep it simple with the basics! Create a counter area with a grill and a small fridge. You will have space to prep food, cook food, and keep some drinks cool. It’s the perfect plan!
This simple outdoor kitchen featured by My Kindred Living has everything you might need. They’ve also included a dining table with stools. A single outdoor light fixture provides just enough lighting at nighttime.
10. Pops of Color
There is something gorgeous about a space with mostly neutral colors that have pops of color throughout the space. This particular outdoor kitchen is mostly white and light blue, but there are pops of orange, including the stainless steel grill with orange features.
In this outdoor kitchen featured by Brantley Photo, they have also strategically placed oranges on the table to help bring out the color. You could also place a vase full of bright orange flowers on the table.
11. Vaulted Ceiling
If your outdoor kitchen is covered, you can use the space rain or shine! We like the idea of having tall, vaulted ceilings with fans.
Parker-Evans Custom Builders designed an outdoor kitchen that has an open-air concept with a roof. It’s built with beautiful brick with exposed wooden beams. For anyone who would prefer to sit beneath the sun, there are barstools outside of the roof area.
12. Potted Plants
We like the laid-back atmosphere of this outdoor kitchen featured by Adore Magazine. The look of the natural wood cabinetry along with the numerous potted plants is gorgeous. The minimalist style is ideal for a backyard oasis.
This space includes a stainless steel grill with plenty of space for prepping food. There is also a nice storage area for tools and other odds and ends. The door can be closed to cover up these items.
13. Outdoor Pantry
An often overlooked feature for outdoor kitchens is having an outdoor pantry. There are certain supplies and items that you will need regularly in your outdoor kitchen. As long as they’re not perishable, you can store them in your outdoor pantry. Another idea is to keep this space cooled and then you can store anything you want in it!
California Home Design shows an outdoor pantry in part of this outdoor kitchen. It has sliding barn doors and plenty of space.
14. Kitchen with Folding Windows
If you can’t decide between a complete outdoor kitchen or a somewhat enclosed kitchen, add folding windows. This way you can get the best of both worlds. You can close the folding windows during rainstorms and keep them open to let the breeze in on days with nice weather.
Digs Design Co. features a kitchen with folding windows that open up along a bar area. The bar area has a roof but is otherwise open to the elements.
15. The Perfect Nook
Even if you don’t have a large space, you can create the perfect nook for an outdoor kitchen area. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, but can still be just as beautiful.
This outdoor kitchen nook by Guta Luoro is a great example of this concept. It has all of the essentials and even a dining area. A pergola covers the dining area. This would be a perfect spot for an outdoor string of lights.
16. Blue and White
Choosing a color scheme can sometimes be a difficult decision. Blue and white are always a beautiful color combination that creates a bright and cheerful space.
House Beautiful features this outdoor kitchen that includes blue and white tiles behind the grill area. A light blue outdoor rug creates a cozy space where guests can relax in the padded wicker chairs. The chairs have blue and white cushions and pillows that tie all of it together nicely.
17. Add a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans are another essential for outdoor kitchen areas. On days when there is no breeze, you can create your own breeze with the flip of a switch. Ceiling fans will help you stay cool on the hottest of days.
In this John Michael Kitchens design, there are beautiful brick counters with a bar and barstools. There is a TV located in one corner, which makes this a great place to watch a game.
18. Plenty of Cabinet Space
If you’re able to have a large outdoor kitchen, make sure to have plenty of cabinet space. You can store pots and pans that are specifically for the outdoor kitchen so you don’t have to make trips between your in-home kitchen and the outdoor kitchen every time you need something.
We are also loving that this Danver kitchen has a ceiling fan, an open-air concept, a pizza oven, and plenty of counter space. Plus, this outdoor kitchen has a beautiful view!
19. U-Shaped Design
Having a u-shaped design will allow you to maximize seating space that allows guests to socialize better. Plus, you can cook and grill while also talking to your friends and family that are seated at the u-shaped counter area.
This Danver kitchen has plenty of lighting with an open-air concept. This space can be used rain or shine since it is covered. Don’t let a rainy day stop your plans! This is why a roof is a great idea.
20. Small Outdoor Kitchen
Here is another design concept for a smaller outdoor kitchen area. This Old House shows a stone counter area with a built-in stainless steel grill. Since the bar area is right next to the grill area, guests can still socialize with the cook.
There may be less room than the last outdoor kitchen that we featured, but for anyone who doesn’t need that much space, this one is perfect! The vines growing on the edge are beautiful too!
21. Twinkle Lights
How gorgeous is this outdoor kitchen area? There is something about twinkle lights that makes everything more magical. They look beautiful on this pergola that covers the grill and sitting area. Even the placement of the patio bricks is artistically done.
There are plenty of potted flowering plants and greenery. The large fireplace creates a comfortable atmosphere. This particular outdoor kitchen and patio area was featured by This Old House.
22. Built-In Gas Grill
We’ve seen this idea numerous times throughout this list already, but it’s worth mentioning on its own. An essential for an outdoor kitchen is to have a built-in gas grill. Even better, have a small built-in fridge next to it.
This small feature has plenty of room for preparing and serving food, cooking food, and also storing food and beverages to keep them cool. You can find this particular set up at Wayfair.
23. Outdoor Rolling Cooler
This outdoor rolling cooler is the perfect addition to an outdoor kitchen or patio area in general. Just the fact that it’s on rollers makes it extra convenient. You can easily move it from the kitchen area out to the pool area.
There is a bottle opener on one side, a towel rack on another, and plenty of storage space beneath the coolers. You can find this particular outdoor rolling cooler at The Home Depot.
24. Remember the Lighting
When you’re planning your outdoor kitchen space, don’t forget about the lighting! In this Probuilt Patio outdoor kitchen, they have three outdoor light fixtures to keep this space well-lit. We are loving the farmhouse style of these lights.
This corner outdoor kitchen is gorgeous with its stone counters and built-in stainless steel appliances. The outdoor candles and potted plants are nice additions to this space.
25. Gray Stone
For a modern look, you might consider going with gray stone and stainless steel appliances. In this Grillnetics outdoor kitchen, the space is mostly made up of different shades of gray. The flooring is dark gray, while the counters feature various shades of gray.
There are state-of-the-art appliances and all of the luxuries you might want in a modern outdoor kitchen. Just add some LED lights and you’re good to go!
26. Match the House Siding
Construction Solutions & Supply LLC. built this outdoor kitchen so that the counter area matches the siding on the house. It creates a seamless appearance with the home.
Other features we like about this kitchen are that it has an open-air concept but has a roof, has stainless steel appliances, and is simple yet luxurious. Place a patio table near this area and it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with friends and family.
27. Beverage Center
Definitely don’t forget to have a beverage center in your outdoor kitchen. Whether that be a rolling cooler like we saw earlier on in this list or if it’s a built-in feature like this one shared by Embers Outdoor.
This beverage center has plenty of space for storing bottles and even features a place to remove bottle caps. There’s a faucet and sink and room to store ice for ice-cold drinks.
28. Wood and Stone
This outdoor kitchen area is relaxed and comfortable yet has an elegant aspect to it. The large wooden privacy fences definitely make the space more intimate and private. The stone area with the built-in grill is beautiful next to the natural wood.
We are loving the style of the dining table and chairs. The blue and white tableware is perfect for an outdoor setting. This looks like a great place to spend time with the family!
29. Make it Narrow
If you don’t have the space for a roomy u-shaped outdoor kitchen bar area, you can still reap the benefits of it without the extra space. You can make the u-shape narrow so that you still have the same amount of space for guests to sit at the bar areas, but less room in the cooking area.
In this outdoor kitchen featured by Paradise Restored, the cooking area is very narrow with room for just one person to fit comfortably in one spot.
30. Sheltered
A sheltered, yet open-air concept seems to be the best idea for an outdoor kitchen. You can use it even during a rainstorm and it also provides shade from the hot sun. However, you still get the benefit of feeling the breeze through the open-air structure.
This Your Modern Cottage design features exposed wooden beams on the roof area. This outdoor kitchen has plenty of counter space and everything that you might want in such a space.
31. Plenty of Counter Space
Especially if you plan to entertain guests on your patio and outdoor kitchen space, you will want to make sure that you have plenty of counter space. This space can be used to prepare the food but also as a space to serve the food buffet style.
This Outdoor Kitchen Factory kitchen design has lots of counter space as well as state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances. We are loving the stone features as well as the numerous plants and flowers that surround this area.
Related Posts
