Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
Words by Emma Hughes
April 02, 2025
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6m
No matter if it’s the end of spring or the height of summer, no one wants to be trapped inside slaving over a hot stove when the sun is shining – we’d all far rather be relaxing on our patios with a glass of wine in one hand and an exciting book in the other as we soak up the summer rays.
Of course, if cooking and outdoor dining are something you love, then one modern garden feature that’s an absolute must is a personalised and multi-functional outdoor kitchen area.
Perfect for elevating your garden dining experience, a well-thought-out and bespoke outdoor kitchen is a superb way to combine your culinary passions with an excuse for welcoming guests over to enjoy good food, good weather, and most importantly, good company!
But where to start with your outdoor kitchen designs? Should you combine your alfresco cooking space with your current patio? And what will you need to prepare and cook your signature dishes?
If these questions and others have you stumped, then don’t worry. We’ve shared our top 10 favourite outdoor kitchen designs and ideas below to help spark your inspiration! From spacing suggestions and the best garden furniture material to adding shade and evening illumination, we’ve covered everything you might want to consider.
What is an outdoor kitchen?
When it comes to the purpose of an outdoor kitchen, the clue is in the name. A smaller version of your indoor cooking setup, an outdoor kitchen offers you a flexible and simple way to cook and prepare food outside while also acting as a dedicated social and dining space – think of it as a kitchen, patio, and bar, all rolled into one.
Naturally, this means that every outdoor kitchen will be different. Space constraints and budget will play a huge role in how big your outdoor kitchen might be, and the sorts of added extras you might be able to invest in. But with the right planning and forethought, you’ll have no problem styling an outdoor kitchen to suit your garden’s unique quirks.
Our top 10 outdoor kitchen ideas
Excited to begin planning your outdoor kitchen? Here are our top outdoor kitchen designs and suggestions to get you started:
1. Start with the essentials
Whether you’ve a sizable patio space to work with or a cosy nook shaded in the corner of your garden, the first thing to consider when styling an outdoor kitchen is your essential cooking appliances.
For simple outdoor kitchen ideas, this could take the form of a moveable grill, foldable counters, and a storage trolley that you can wheel out alongside your garden furniture once the cold weather passes.
Alternatively, for larger garden kitchen ideas, you could go all out with a permanent built-in grill, granite or slate worktops for food preparation, an under-counter fridge for drinks, and even a sink if you’re willing to accommodate the plumbing costs.
2. Build a solid foundation
Alongside outdoor kitchen appliances, any large or small outdoor kitchen ideas should put plenty of thought into the foundations of a new social cooking space – after all, a true outdoor kitchen is much more than a BBQ and some chairs set out on your lawn.
As we’ve already hinted at, one of the best ways to incorporate an outdoor kitchen into your current garden layout is to work with your present patio setup, using matching stonework and tiles to build a cooking zone that seamlessly blends in with your home’s garden aesthetic.
Here, natural stone tiling, concrete, and brickwork make for the best outdoor kitchen foundations thanks to their durable and weather-resistant properties. However, if you love weatherworn wood décor, then there’s absolutely no harm in incorporating such material into the construction of your worktops and storage.
3. Find furniture that matches your aesthetic
Once you’ve settled on your go-to appliances and outdoor kitchen foundations, the next step is to consider what sort of garden furniture to include in and around your new cooking space.
For a traditional look, we’d definitely recommend going with a classic set of rustic wooden furniture, including a dining table and chairs, as well as a benched seating area or loungers for guests to sit back and chat from while you get on with food prep.
On the other hand, if modern décor is more to your tastes, then an outdoor dining bar topped with a granite finish can make for a fantastic conversational space – doubling up as both a dining area and bar space for guests and family to use.
4. Invest in suitable lighting
Although the vast majority of your outdoor kitchen time will be spent with the sun shining overhead, should you and your guests want to make the most of the warmer nights, then investing in good outdoor lighting is essential.
From fairy lights worked into an overhead trellis to hanging lanterns and strategically placed candles and open torches, get creative with illumination options to form a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere that readily captures the essence of those lazy summer evenings.
5. Think about privacy
When it comes to simple outdoor kitchen ideas, one area that is often neglected is that of privacy, particularly if you have a garden with neighbours on either side of your own. Fortunately, if garden privacy is something that’s very important to you, then you’ll be thrilled to hear that making a private outdoor kitchen space is very straightforward.
Whether through a tall yet stylish fence or well-maintained hedge that runs the entirety of your garden’s border, or picking a secluded garden corner to position your grill in before shielding it with a wooden pagoda or gazebo, there’s plenty you can do to keep prying eyes to a minimum.
6. Stay shaded
And speaking of shaded privacy, if your garden and patio space allows for it, then you should absolutely look to set up a shaded area as part of your new outdoor kitchen area – both for protection from the sun and to shield your food preparation area.
Knotted with climbing plants or equipped with modern slats that you can open and close at the push of a button, a pergola like this can make for the perfect sheltered space for you and your guests to enjoy a drink or two beneath when the sun is at its highest.
A parasol is another stylish shade option, allowing you to cook and dine with ease. They’re portable too, so you can move them around as you see fit. Available in different shapes, sizes, and materials, you’ll have no problem finding one which complements the aesthetic of your outdoor space.
7. Stay warm in the evenings
A common sight in large and small outdoor kitchen ideas, a firepit in the centre of your outdoor kitchen’s social area is a brilliant option for providing evening light and additional warmth once the sun fully sets.
After all, even summer evenings can get a bit chilly, so a log-burning fire or a set of coals is a brilliant way to take the cool edge off while also creating a focal point for guests to sit around with drinks in hand.
8. Don’t neglect the bar
As much as your outdoor kitchen space is for cooking, no outdoor social area would truly be complete without the quintessential garden bar to store all your favourite drinks and cocktail ingredients.
Be it an extension of your cooking area itself, a standalone garden bar that mimics that of a traditional pub, or simply a cocktail-making station that you can place within easy reach for guests, have a think about what sort of garden bar ideas you like the sound of and how they might fit with your overall garden décor.
9. Indulge in a pizza oven
Nowadays, no outdoor kitchen is truly complete without the addition of a permanent or movable pizza oven. Whether a brickwork kiln in the traditional style or a top-of-the-line brand, this sort of bougie appliance can make for a popular kitchen extra.
And if you want to go all in on this appliance, then why not consider making a dedicated pizza-making space? That way, your guest can get involved with the culinary side of things by making their own pizzas personally.
10. Open your home to your garden
Finally, if you really want to make your outdoor kitchen a seamless extension of your home, then you should absolutely look to install a set of bi-folding or sliding doors to open up your indoor kitchen or lounge area.
By going with matching your worktops and outdoor-indoor tiling, you can transform your indoor and outdoor kitchens into one continuous space that maximises their cooking potential!
What else to consider when building an outdoor kitchen
Hopefully, you now have plenty of ideas to help you get started with your new outdoor kitchen setup. But before we go, we wanted to share our insights into a few other things to consider before you start installing your new outdoor kitchen:
Interested in discovering more interior and garden décor insights to transform your home? Why not take a look at our blog for more inspirational guides like this one, such as our piece looking at garden rooms or small patio ideas?