7 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas to Inspire You

Few things bring people together like food - or the comfort of your own home. So why not combine both? With an outdoor kitchen, you can both feed and entertain family and friends.

Outdoor kitchens can not only be gorgeous, but they can also expand your living space and save you money on eating out. And if you ever decide to sell your house, an outdoor kitchen can provide a 71% return on investment.

Maybe you have an underused outdoor space. Or maybe it has fallen into disrepair and you want to spruce it up. Either way, you need some great ideas for outdoor kitchens - and we can help!

Here are 7 outdoor kitchen ideas to inspire you to transform your outdoor space.

1. Outdoor Bar

An outdoor kitchen with a bar is just plain fun. If you have the space, you can make your outdoor bar into a wet bar. As the name implies, a wet bar has a sink, while a dry bar requires no plumbing.

A wet bar may be more complicated to implement, but you will be able to easily rinse out glasses and clean up dishes without having to shuffle back and forth from outdoors to indoors.

If space is at a premium, why not put your bar on wheels and make a bar cart? You can easily wheel it out of the way when you’re not using it.

2. Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

Few outdoor features are as unique as a wood-fired pizza oven. Not only are they great for homemade pizza, but they are also great centerpieces for an outdoor kitchen.

Even though it’s called a pizza oven, you can use it for so much more. Steaks, bread, veggies - there are tons of foods you can cook in your wood-fired oven. Even desserts like pies and cakes can be made in an outdoor oven.

Few kitchen set pieces will get people talking as much as a well-designed pizza oven. They’re great for family nights or for having people over.

3. Chalkboard Backsplash

Regardless of what your kitchen space looks like, a backsplash can add a pop of color or style. Even better, a chalkboard backsplash allows for even greater flexibility.

You can create your own designs with colored chalk. Or simply let your guests know what’s on the dinner menu by advertising your menu on your chalkboard backsplash. Either way, a combination of a chalkboard sign and a backsplash makes for a fun presentation.

4. Freestanding Patio

If you have ample yard space and want to separate your outdoor kitchen from the rest of the house, you should consider a freestanding patio design. A freestanding patio can be covered or uncovered and can incorporate any other outdoor kitchen features you desire: grill, pizza oven, bar - you name it, it can be included in your dedicated patio space.

By separating it from the rest of the house and making it freestanding, you’re helping to create a backyard escape. You can further create an escape by adding in a television and lounge furniture.

5. L-Shaped Kitchen Space

If you don’t have a large yard, you can still maximize space with an L-shaped kitchen space. For smaller yards, you will want it placed at the perimeter of your patio space. This will ensure there is enough clearance for both your cook and your guests to navigate around the space.

Depending on the size of the space, and what you desire, you have a few different options for your L-shaped kitchen.

A short grill along with a longer bar island can be a good compromise. You can opt for a mini-fridge beneath one section, or implement an additional storage cabinet.

If you want your L-shaped kitchen to also be a place for entertaining, you can add a bar countertop around the space, along with some bar stools. This will ensure your small space is also an intimate space for family and friends, and allow for socializing when you’re cooking.

6. Fire Pit

A fire pit is a great addition to any outdoor kitchen space. Unless your yard is very tiny, you can fit a fire pit in almost any space.

Wood fire pits are common, but in more recent years propane and gel fire pits have become popular too. The latter burns gel fuel, which does not produce smoke or soot. However, they also don’t give off a lot of heat.

Many people see fire pits as focal points for socializing. While that’s true, they can also be used for barbecues, provided you have a suitable grill gate. A night of lounging around the fire pit can turn into an impromptu night of grilling.

This is a great option if you want to save the rest of your outdoor kitchen space for other features, like a pizza oven or fridge. Or maybe you just want the extra space for food prep.

Adding a fire pit to your kitchen space will provide additional bonuses too. They make for an easy source of warmth on chilly nights and provide an additional source of ambient lighting. So not only are fire pits great for your kitchen, they help change your outdoor living space.

7. Double Grill

When it comes to buying a grill, you may be torn between choosing charcoal or natural gas. But what if you didn’t have to choose?

With a double grill setup, you don’t have to compromise. You can have the convenience of natural gas and the flavor of charcoal.

Each type of grill has its own pros and cons. Charcoal can take longer to heat up and clean up, but it provides a smoky flavor to meat and veggies. Gas will give you better temperature control while cooking, but additional safety precautions need to be taken when cooking with gas.

What Are Your Outdoor Kitchen Ideas?

Are you ready to begin building an outdoor kitchen? At Outdoor Escapes, outdoor kitchen design is our specialty. Whether you’re considering small outdoor kitchens ideas, or want a large outdoor kitchen space, we can help.

Contact us with your outdoor kitchen ideas and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours. Or stop by our St. Cloud office.

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