Outdoor Kitchen Design: Everything You Need to Know

An outdoor kitchen transforms al fresco dining from a seasonal pleasure into a year-round lifestyle. Here is everything you need to know about designing and installing one.

Location and Layout

The first decision is where to locate your outdoor kitchen. Key considerations:

**Access to the indoor kitchen** — proximity makes catering easier

**Prevailing wind** — position the cooking area downwind of seating

**Shelter** — a pergola or overhead canopy extends the season

**Gas and electricity** — proximity to connections reduces installation cost

**Views** — position the cooking area so the cook can enjoy the garden and guests

Essential Appliances

The core of any outdoor kitchen is the cooking equipment:

**Built-in BBQ grill** — gas is most convenient; charcoal for flavour enthusiasts

**Pizza oven** — one of the most popular additions, wood or gas-fired

**Outdoor fridge** — keeps drinks cold and reduces trips to the indoor kitchen

**Sink** — a connected water supply makes prep and cleaning much easier

**Storage** — weatherproof cupboards and drawers for utensils and crockery

Materials

Outdoor kitchens must withstand UK weather. Suitable materials include:

**Marine-grade stainless steel** — the standard for built-in appliances

**Porcelain worktops** — heat and stain resistant, beautiful

**Natural stone worktops** — granite or slate with proper sealing

**Rendered blockwork** — the structure beneath, rendered with weather-resistant finishes

Lighting and Electrics

Good outdoor kitchen lighting is essential for evening entertaining:

Task lighting over the cooking area

Ambient lighting for the dining area

Power sockets for outdoor appliances

All electrics must be installed by a qualified electrician to Part P standards

Budget

A basic outdoor kitchen can be created from around £5,000, while a fully specified luxury outdoor kitchen with gas appliances, pizza oven, stone worktops and full electrics can run to £20,000+. We design to budget and can advise on where to invest for maximum impact.