Outdoor kitchens make entertaining convenient, allowing you to spend more time outdoors cooking, relaxing, and gathering with loved ones. A quality outdoor kitchen can also make your home more appealing, potentially boosting property value.
Here are our best tips for designing a functional, inviting, stylish outdoor kitchen or BBQ to enjoy.
8 Tips and Ideas for Designing an Outdoor Kitchen
- Determine the Best Location for an Outdoor Kitchen
- Get the Right Mix of Sun, Shade, and Protection from the Elements
- Consider Privacy
- Include a Variety of Comfortable Seating Options
- Choose Functional Cooking Appliances
- Add Character with Unique Design Elements
- Bring the Comforts of Home Outside
- Lighting and Ambience
1. Determine the Best Location for an Outdoor Kitchen
The first step in designing an outdoor kitchen is choosing the ideal location. Of course, you need an area with ample space. But you’ll also want to consider how the location will affect your cooking experience, how you interact with guests, and how easy the area is to access.
Here are some aspects to consider when choosing the best outdoor kitchen location:
- Social Interactions: How will your guests interact with you when you are cooking? Is the kitchen area cohesive with the dining area? Make sure your set up ensures you can easily mingle with friends or family members.
- Access to the Indoor Kitchen: Consider how far you’ll have to go to get back in the house if you want to carry in dirty dishes or grab something from inside. Ideally, your outdoor kitchen will have quick, easy access to indoor dining/kitchen areas.
- Flow: How will guests access the patio kitchen? Do they need to trek through the entire house to get to the outdoor kitchen? Aim to create a path from your indoor dining area that flows to the outdoor kitchen.
- Utilities: This isn’t as fun as planning what colour palette you want, but it is a vital planning step. Where are your gas lines and water connections? Easy access to gas and water connections means an easier setup and cheaper installation costs.
2. Get the Right Mix of Sun, Shade, and Protection from the Elements
Imagine an outdoor kitchen equipped with state-of-the-art appliances, the most expensive grill, and plush outdoor furniture. But there’s zero shade and privacy, and cooking outside means getting scorched in the Perth sun. Or, imagine the opposite scenario with an outdoor kitchen that is fully shaded.
Even the best outdoor kitchen will be useless if you don’t consider how the sun and elements will affect your space. Consider your yard’s sun exposure, including what direction it faces and how the sun hits your yard throughout the day.
With an average of over 100 sunny days per year, it’s safe to say your outdoor kitchen will need shade options.
Add an umbrella or awnings for a quick, easy shade solution. Strategically planted trees or trellises with vines can also provide some shade and privacy all-in-one.
For a reliable, sturdy, aesthetically pleasing solution, a custom patio can help you enjoy your outdoor kitchen regardless of weather.
3. Consider Privacy
An outdoor kitchen should be a relaxing, peaceful area for you to entertain, cook, and dine. For most people, this means having privacy from neighbors or blocking out unwanted views.
There are many ways to add privacy to your outdoor kitchen, such as:
- Outdoor blinds
- A fence
- A trellis with vines
- Tall shrubs or plants
- Privacy screens
- Faux hedge walls
4. Include a Variety of Comfortable Seating Options
When choosing outdoor furniture, make sure to consider the layout. Ensure there is room to walk around all the furniture so the space doesn’t get crowded. An outdoor kitchen should appear well-planned, with room for people to get around and easily converse with one another.
Choose a mix of seating options to add visual interest and appeal to a variety of situations.
Here are some seating options to keep in mind:
- Loungers: Perfect for relaxing with a good book, a quick afternoon nap, or hanging out poolside
- Dining Tables and Chairs: A must-have for outdoor dining and gatherings
- Benches: Great option for accommodating extra people at larger gatherings
- Plush Chairs: Great for movie nights and for creating an atmosphere that brings the indoors out
- Sofa: Curl up with a good book or just relax
- Bar Stools: Good addition to casual outdoor bar area
5. Choose Functional Cooking Appliances
To decide on appliances for an outdoor kitchen, first consider your intentions. Do you plan to cook meals outside frequently? Or just on occasion? Do you plan to host large gatherings or just cook for a few family members?
Deciding how you plan to use your outdoor kitchen will help you choose the most convenient appliances for your needs. You’ll also want to consider the different types of grills to find one that matches your preferences. For instance, if convenience is a must, a gas grill may be your best option. For more flavour, opt for a charcoal grill.
6. Add Character with Unique Design Elements
Creating an outdoor kitchen that feels like an extension of your home’s interior starts with your design style. Consider the colour palette of your home’s interior, your decorating style, and your home’s architecture.
Integrating these elements into your outdoor kitchen area can create a seamless extension of your home.
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7. Bring the Comforts of Home Outside
To further extend your living space, incorporate decorations and items you’d find inside your living room, such as:
- Wall-mounted outdoor TV
- Blankets
- Plush throw pillows
- Greenery, such as floral centerpieces or potted plants
- Lamps, floor lights, solar lanterns, or table side lights
- Ceiling fans
- Wall decor, such as a decorative mirror or piece of art
- Outdoor fireplace
For more patio and outdoor kitchen decorating ideas, browse our gallery of Perth patio projects for some inspiration: Patio Examples Patio Gallery.
8. Lighting and Ambience
Lighting is vital for a good outdoor kitchen. Not only is it important for function if you plan to cook or entertain in the evening, it is also important for ambiance.
The right lighting will be functional while also invoking a warm, inviting feel to your space. Incorporating a mix of lighting options can create an atmosphere that combines the perfect mix of function and ambiance.
To accomplish a blend of task lighting and ambient lighting, try combining:
- String lights
- Lanterns
- Ceiling mounted light fixtures if you have a roof over your outdoor kitchen
- Spotlights
- Solar lights
- Lighting for pathways
- Lighting over dining or food prep areas
Key Elements for a Good Outdoor Kitchen
The exact additions to your outdoor kitchen or BBQ area will depend on how you plan to use it. For instance, occasional cooking or small gatherings may only need a grill, dining table and chairs, and small countertop space. Cooking full meals and frequent gatherings necessitate a fully equipped kitchen with plenty of seating.
General elements for a good outdoor kitchen include:
- A dining table and dining chairs
- Additional seating options, such as bar stools or lounge chairs
- Food prep space, such as durable, weatherproof countertops
- Outdoor kitchen appliances, such as a mini fridge or sink
- Wood-fired pizza oven
- Gas or charcoal powered grill
- Smoker
- A rolling bar cart
- Ample storage, such as cabinets, pull out shelves, built-in trash cans, or drawers to store cooking accessories, utensils, and dishes
- A covered area that is protected from the elements, such as UV rays or rain
- Proper lighting
Why an Outdoor Kitchen Is a Great Addition to Your Home and Patio
An outdoor kitchen is a wonderful way to spend more time outside enjoying Perth’s sunny, lovely climate. Outdoor kitchens are also part of the growing trend of bringing the outdoors in. By adding function and beauty to your backyard, a quality outdoor kitchen can be a great way to add value to your property.
If these outdoor kitchen ideas have you dreaming up a plan for your backyard, we’d love to help. Our patio experts have designed and installed hundreds of custom patios across WA. Contact us to discuss your dream backyard setup and get a free quote.
