8 Things Pros Recommend for an Outdoor Kitchen
Landscape design experts share their advice on what to include in an outdoor kitchen
An outdoor kitchen is more than just a spot for a grill. It draws people into a yard and becomes a space for family dinners and entertaining friends throughout the year. Read on to see what landscape experts prioritize in their designs.
TCP Custom Outdoor Living
2. Gorgeous Countertops
Counters help define an outdoor kitchen’s style. “Choose a stone [or other material] that ties the whole look together or provides a fun accent,” says Kara Gorski of Landed in Alexandria, Virginia.
Practical considerations. Add plenty of countertop area around the grill. “No matter how small an outdoor kitchen is, it needs to have adequate counter space,” says landscape designer Deborah Gliksman of Urban Oasis Landscape Design in Los Angeles. Douglass recommends leaving enough room for utensils as well as cooked and uncooked food.
New York-based landscape designer Todd Haiman says you’ll probably need to seal the countertop when it’s installed and then reseal it every few years. “Fats from cooking as well as staining from metals left on top of it can stain it, and the elements can take their toll,” he says.
Finally, make good use of the cabinetry the counters sit on. It’s a prime space for storage as well as other amenities, such as an undercounter refrigerator.
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2. Gorgeous Countertops
Counters help define an outdoor kitchen’s style. “Choose a stone [or other material] that ties the whole look together or provides a fun accent,” says Kara Gorski of Landed in Alexandria, Virginia.
Practical considerations. Add plenty of countertop area around the grill. “No matter how small an outdoor kitchen is, it needs to have adequate counter space,” says landscape designer Deborah Gliksman of Urban Oasis Landscape Design in Los Angeles. Douglass recommends leaving enough room for utensils as well as cooked and uncooked food.
New York-based landscape designer Todd Haiman says you’ll probably need to seal the countertop when it’s installed and then reseal it every few years. “Fats from cooking as well as staining from metals left on top of it can stain it, and the elements can take their toll,” he says.
Finally, make good use of the cabinetry the counters sit on. It’s a prime space for storage as well as other amenities, such as an undercounter refrigerator.
Houzz Pro software has tools that make it easy to share your design ideas with clients. You can add inspiration photos, files, proposals and mood boards to the client dashboard and send messages through the app.
Learn about Houzz Pro software
GDL Property
3. Smoker
Many of the pros we spoke with are seeing smokers being added to outdoor kitchens. “A smoker is extremely popular and should be considered if you enjoy smoked meats,” Arnold says. It also serves as a secondary grill spot for larger gatherings.
3. Smoker
Many of the pros we spoke with are seeing smokers being added to outdoor kitchens. “A smoker is extremely popular and should be considered if you enjoy smoked meats,” Arnold says. It also serves as a secondary grill spot for larger gatherings.
Moazami Homes
4. Outdoor Refrigerator
Looking for a space to store drinks or a way to keep food chilled before grilling or serving? Haiman says an outdoor refrigerator can be a great addition to an outdoor kitchen. Douglass adds that you can take it a step further by including an ice machine.
4. Outdoor Refrigerator
Looking for a space to store drinks or a way to keep food chilled before grilling or serving? Haiman says an outdoor refrigerator can be a great addition to an outdoor kitchen. Douglass adds that you can take it a step further by including an ice machine.
Seventh Street Interiors
5. Splashy Backsplash
“Once the utilitarian needs are taken care of, spice up an outdoor kitchen with an eye-catching backsplash,” Gliksman says. Along with providing a bright accent, a standout backsplash adds a finishing touch while keeping utensils and food from falling off the back of the counter.
5. Splashy Backsplash
“Once the utilitarian needs are taken care of, spice up an outdoor kitchen with an eye-catching backsplash,” Gliksman says. Along with providing a bright accent, a standout backsplash adds a finishing touch while keeping utensils and food from falling off the back of the counter.
David Charlez Designs
6. Sink
A nearby water source can be convenient during food prep and cleanup. That’s why Haiman recommends a small sink for any outdoor kitchen. Just be aware that adding a sink requires tapping into the existing plumbing and sewer lines, which can be complicated. The sink, along with any refrigeration unit, will also need to be winterized in cold climates.
6. Sink
A nearby water source can be convenient during food prep and cleanup. That’s why Haiman recommends a small sink for any outdoor kitchen. Just be aware that adding a sink requires tapping into the existing plumbing and sewer lines, which can be complicated. The sink, along with any refrigeration unit, will also need to be winterized in cold climates.
Landed
7. Pizza Oven
When it comes to adding fun features to an outdoor kitchen, most of the pros we spoke with put a pizza oven near the top of their list. The ovens aren’t just for pizzas — you can roast or bake anything from appetizers to desserts. Just leave enough room on either side of the oven for workspace. “You’ll want at least 18 inches on one side and 24 inches on the other, for a total of 36 inches of clear counter space,” Gliksman says.
7. Pizza Oven
When it comes to adding fun features to an outdoor kitchen, most of the pros we spoke with put a pizza oven near the top of their list. The ovens aren’t just for pizzas — you can roast or bake anything from appetizers to desserts. Just leave enough room on either side of the oven for workspace. “You’ll want at least 18 inches on one side and 24 inches on the other, for a total of 36 inches of clear counter space,” Gliksman says.
Urban Oasis Landscape Design
8. Edible Garden
Easily add fresh herbs and vegetables to outdoor meals by siting an edible garden near the grill and prep areas. “A nearby planter with herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley, is a nice culinary complement for the outdoor chef,” Haiman says. If you have more room, add greens and summer favorites such as tomatoes and peppers.
8. Edible Garden
Easily add fresh herbs and vegetables to outdoor meals by siting an edible garden near the grill and prep areas. “A nearby planter with herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley, is a nice culinary complement for the outdoor chef,” Haiman says. If you have more room, add greens and summer favorites such as tomatoes and peppers.
Arnold Masonry & Landscape
Other Considerations for an Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor lighting. Every outdoor kitchen has different needs, but great lighting is high on everyone’s list. Task lighting over the grill and work areas, along with ambient light for both atmosphere and safety, should always be incorporated into your design.
Seating. A nearby table and chairs makes serving up what you’ve created a cinch. You can also add a lounge area or a countertop with seating so the cook can partake in the conversations (and maybe get some help with prep work).
Your turn: What do you like to include in your outdoor kitchen projects? Share them in the Comments.
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Other Considerations for an Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor lighting. Every outdoor kitchen has different needs, but great lighting is high on everyone’s list. Task lighting over the grill and work areas, along with ambient light for both atmosphere and safety, should always be incorporated into your design.
Seating. A nearby table and chairs makes serving up what you’ve created a cinch. You can also add a lounge area or a countertop with seating so the cook can partake in the conversations (and maybe get some help with prep work).
Your turn: What do you like to include in your outdoor kitchen projects? Share them in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
1. The Right Grill
Landscape architect Bob Hursthouse, an avid griller himself, tells homeowners to consider how they plan to use the grill before making a final choice on the size, style and other features. “Will you be doing basic grilling, smoking food [or] something else?” the Bolingbrook, Illinois, professional asks.
This is also the item you should prioritize in terms of cost. “A good-quality grill with a lifetime warranty is the most important thing,” Katherine Douglass of TCP Custom Outdoor Living in Houston says.
“Being able to cook your meals outside always adds some type of indescribable flavor and is great fun,” says Atlanta-based building and masonry expert Scott Arnold.
10 Must-Have Landscape Features Pros Recommend