As summer approaches, more of us are heading outside into our garden spaces to enjoy al fresco dining. There’s nothing more relaxing than enjoying a good meal under the warmth of the sun with family and friends. There are so many beautiful outdoor kitchen designs to take inspiration from, so if you’re planning on creating your own, read on.
The idea of a patio kitchen needn’t be simply refined to a BBQ and deckchairs. Today, so many people choose to build a fully functioning kitchen at the back of their homes. Whether you’re living in a Mediterranean villa or an urban city, there are so many benefits that come with being able to cook and eat outdoors.
Considerations Choosing Outdoor Kitchens
Before we reveal our top 50 best outdoor kitchen ideas, here are some considerations to keep in mind when designing one:
Budget – Outdoor cooking kitchens can be expensive to design and construct especially if you’re incorporating fancy appliances. From pizza ovens to countertops, there is lots to think of when you allocate your budget. You should also consider the costs of running the kitchen too.
Style – There are plenty of different backyard kitchens designs to be inspired by. Whether you’re a fan of the contemporary stainless steel aesthetic or would prefer a more rustic approach, think carefully about the styling of your kitchen before building it.
Size – How much space do you have available? Even if you’re working with a smaller backyard, there are lots of opportunities to utilize the space with built-in storage. Carefully consider how you can maximize the area that you’re planning to build your kitchen.
Practicality – Practicality is possibly the most important factor of all. You need to ensure that each appliance in your kitchen functions and the outdoor patio kitchen is kitted out with all the essentials you need. It’s also useful to consider how the area will be protected during adverse weather such as rain and snow too.
Materials – The materials you choose to use in your backyard kitchen can really impact the overall aesthetic. As you’ll come to see designers get creative with terracotta, wood, and stainless steel – and these are just a small selection of the available options. Consider the overall style and aesthetic you desire before choosing materials for appliances and countertops.
50 Gorgeous Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
We’ve picked out the top 50 exterior kitchen designs to help you find the inspiration that you need. With the considerations above and images of stunning summer kitchen designs below, you should have everything you need to be confident in the construction of your own!
1. Stainless Steel Outdoor Grill Station
In this wonderful open air kitchen the designer has focused on creating a summer grilling station. Fitted with sleek stainless steel appliances, a wine rack, and wooden splashback, this space is both practical and highly stylish. Smaller details like storage, splashbacks and, what type of cooker to buy all make a difference and contribute to the overall styling of your exterior.
2. Decked Summer Kitchen Design
If you’d like to create a more rustic design, this fantastic decked BBQ area is perfect. Built upon a decked area, the appliances are kept minimal while full functionality is provided. The worktops utilize lovely terracotta for a natural finish and subtle hint of color, even outdoors.
3. Natural Garden Grill
The designer of this stunning outdoor space has taken inspiration from the natural elements surrounding. Using terracotta for the worktops and stone, the garden kitchen’s design is more traditional while still looking highly attractive. Bring natural elements into your diy outdoor kitchen wherever possible, there are lots of ways to do this.
4. Perfect Patio Kitchen
This patio kitchen incorporates stone to continue the aesthetic of the rest of the garden for a lovely finish. The countertops are finished with durable marble and appliances are kept silver for a modern look.
5. Fire Pit Outdoor Cooking Station
A favorite design of ours, nothing says rustic more than an outdoor fire. This exterior kitchen uses both stood and wood for a natural finish, while a big bench has been built next to the fire. This an ideal spot for outdoor entertaining during the summer. Fire pits can provide a lovely atmosphere for family get-togethers and occasions with friends.
6. Petite Outdoor Grill Area
This lovely green outdoor grill island uses stainless steel which is easy to clean for a lovely finish. Wooden countertops are used alongside the grill for practicality and food preparation. The designer has allowed nature to still have its place in the space. By using wooden countertops you can ensure a surface that is fully practical.
7. Indoor/Outdoor Kitchen
To ensure full protection of your kitchen and bar space, you can replicate this modern design. By fitting fully opening patio doors, the outside elements can be brought indoors and vice versa for summer dining and entertaining. Consider the type of protection you’ll put in place for your outdoor patio dining area if you plan to use it regularly.
8. Breathtaking Luxury Patio Kitchen
This absolutely breathtaking summer kitchen look uses all the modern appliances you’d expect in contemporary home. The dining set is the perfect addition to this bright and airy space which has a canopy to protect against the wind and sun.
9. Traditional Wooden Covered Kitchen
Wooden outdoor kitchens don’t get much fancier than this beautiful design. Full coverage ensures relaxed dining can be enjoyed to the max with the addition of a wicker corner seat. The designer of this space has focused on tradition perfectly.
10. Open Chic Kitchen
Sophisticated and stylish, this is one of the prettiest outdoor kitchen ideas we’ve come across. The dining table takes center stage, while the marble grey countertop and kitchen appliances ensure food preparation is a breeze.
11. Lighted Up Outdoor Cooking Area
This spacious outdoor kitchen and bar is magazine front cover worthy. Using stunning marble and wood, the designer has created a space in which cooking and dining can be enjoyed throughout summer evenings. The additional lighting adds a pretty finishing touch.
12. Traditional Curved Kitchen For Outdoors
Using stone, the designer of this countertop has created a lovely grilling area. The stone is affordable and easy to maintain making it a great material of choice for any outdoor barbecue kitchen. We love the curved style of this countertop, for a cool twist on the traditional option.
13. Country Outdoor Kitchen
This country-style outdoor summer kitchen idea is both practical and looks great, making it the perfect space for entertaining. Wooden beams are used to compliment the exterior stone wall, while practicality is ensured through steel appliances.
14. Rustic Outdoor Cooking Area
Rustic design can look impressive when done the right way, and this garden demonstrates exactly how. The outdoor kitchen design uses wooden countertops and is finished with trinkets inspired by travels for a lovely ethnic feel.
15. White Villa Exterior BBQ
This stunning villa has a perfect BBQ area to enjoy with both friends and family. The modern countertops are finished with clean stone for a refined look while the area is kept open planned and spacious.
16. Stone Benches And Grill
Stone is the main material used in this cozy small outdoor kitchen. By creating an intimate little corner, the designer can cook and eat in style using their outdoor space during the summer for ultimate relaxation. Utilize the area that you have available, even if it seems restrictive getting creative with design can help.
17. Terrace Outdoor Kitchen Design
Dining on this stunning terrace is easy thanks to a modern kitchen layout. The introduction of stainless steel amongst an otherwise stone patio works wonderfully for a balance between traditional and contemporary design. Stones work wonderfully in any patio design, however, it’s the tones that can really make the difference.
18. Steel Outdoor BBQ Kitchen
This steel outdoor BBQ area is perfectly functional, easy to clean, and weather resistant. Take inspiration from this modern design if you’re planning on regularly cooking outside for both family and friends. For a modern design of your own, incorporate stainless steel to create a refined, sleek look.
19. Stainless Steel Backyard Cooking
Cool and quirky, this curved tiled BBQ area is perfect for if you’re hosting big grill-outs in the summertime. While the area isn’t covered it’s a great step up from a regular grilling area in the garden and it can be cleaned down easily too.Think about practicality, materials like stainless steel are great!
20. Luxury Terrace Kitchen With A View
Even if you don’t have a comparable view like the one pictured here from your house, this stunning terrace is packed full of inspiration. The rustic yet contemporary aesthetic is brought about thanks to stainless steel and stone as a combination. This is a perfect example of how to use traditional and modern design at the same time.
21. Farmhouse Outdoor Dining
This outdoor country style dining area is perfect if you want more of a traditional design. The use of beams and stones brings a natural atmosphere, while candles are used for an ambient summertime dining setting. Decor is an important element to any exterior design, think about your kitchen’s decorative aspects too.
22. Stone Built-In BBQ
This stone built-in BBQ area is the perfect small space for entertaining friends during summer evenings. The rustic design is achieved through the use of natural colored stone and pretty garden decor. If you have a smaller garden, a kitchen can still work, even on a reduced scale.
23. Sitting Area With Sunken Kitchen
A stunning outdoor stone kitchen, this wonderful dining area is sure to impress friends who stop by for a summer evening dinner. The stunning archways give a perfect view of the garden while ensuring full protection in all weather conditions. Work with the architecture of your home to add interesting features to your space.
24. Oceanfront Open Air Kitchens
With pristine views across onto the ocean, this heavenly all-white open-air dining space and kitchen outdoors are the perfect addition to this home. With hints of blue and steel, this space is both sophisticated and modern. All-white can be difficult to maintain, however, as you can see it looks simply divine.
25. Brick Outdoor Grill Table
This wonderful red brick outdoor space is perfect for cooking and dining. All of the appliances are modern while the kitchen design itself is kept traditional for a rustic yet beautiful feel. The addition of a bar area can be used for eating and drinking to give extra flexibility to space. If space allows, why not use a countertop that doubles up as a bar too?
26. Summer Kitchen And Dining
A wonderful little outdoor kitchen and bar, this intimate BBQ corner has a lovely design. Using modern counters with storage and an up-to-date grilling appliance, this space is the perfect addition to any garden or patio. Storage can be an important element for many who create outdoor kitchens. Therefore, think about how best to introduce it.
27. Blue Tiled Outdoor Entertainment
This design showcases an eye-catching blue-tiled kitchen area complete with all the appliances you’d expect. For a similar splash of color in your outdoor space, consider adding colored tiles too. Tiles can be bought at all price points, so you won’t need a huge budget. Colored tiles are a simple yet effective way to add personality and a point of interest to any garden.
28. Cutting Edge Open Plan Kitchen
A breathtaking design dominating with black, this contemporary modern kitchen in a high rise is what dreams are made of. Using stone flooring and sophisticated dining furniture and lighting, this room is the perfect space for entertaining. Open planned kitchens are perfect if you’re looking to create a modern aesthetic in your garden or patio.
29. Turquoise Tiled Kitchen Patio
A smaller kitchen but still standing as one of the best outdoor kitchens we’ve seen, the stunning splash of color really adds character to this space. With a lovely mosaic backsplash and wine storage space, this idea is perfect for summer dining. If you want to add a unique edge to your garden, a splash of bright color could do just the trick.
30.Gazebo Covered Terracotta Kitchen
For those that are a fan of terracotta, this is the inspiration you need. The stunning shade of red is used continuously throughout the outdoor patio kitchen while a gazebo provides all the protection needed in every weather condition. Weather protection is crucial, so think about how best to ensure this when designing your outdoor cooking area.
31. Minimalist Kitchen With Open Dining
This wooden minimalist kitchen isn’t quite completely outdoors but still can be opened up with no interruption from the garden itself. By bringing textures of wood indoors, the designer has brought about an organic and beautiful aesthetic. Consider the tone of wood you choose, darker woods are used more in traditional design, while lighter ones add a contemporary touch.
32. White And Wood Garden Kitchen
Through the use of light wood, white, and glass, this garden allows diners to eat in the garden. The stunning modern appliances match the overall aesthetic and the touch of natural green makes for a serene atmosphere. This can be a perfect alternative to a more traditional conservatory if you want to bring the outdoors inside.
33. Wood Fire Outdoor Patio Kitchen
A wood fire has been incorporated into this outdoor patio space for a lovely rustic effect and added practicality. With this type of feature in a garden space, homemade pizzas and BBQ’d meats are easy to make. If you’re a fan of cooking, invest in a similar oven and thank yourself later.
34. Stone Countertops And Chrome Sink
As one of the prettiest outdoor cooking stations we’ve seen, the wonderful light stone adds to a natural aesthetic. For added practicality, this kitchen area has a chrome sink that can be used with ease too. Light stone can give the illusion of more space, making it a great option for smaller gardens and patios.
35. Domed Traditional Oven
This terracotta tiled outdoor design is a fantastic barbecue outdoor kitchen design for anybody who loves traditional. The Egyptian over is perfect for slow-cooked dishes and the style of this space is welcoming. We love the red natural hues that bring a sense of warmth even during the darkest seasons.
36. Traditional Countryside Kitchen
If you’re a fan of the rustic finish, this countryside kitchen may provide all the inspiration you need. Finished with grey stones stacked up to form an arc, this space is extremely welcoming for any hobbyist or professional chef. A woodburning cooker works wonderfully with this aesthetic, though it may cost you a little extra.
37. Luxury Terrace For Dining
The designer of this amazing exterior space had one thing in mind – luxury. Through the use of stone, wood, and stainless steel a stunning modern design has been brought about. This is a stunning space to unwind and dine on a warm evening. Think about finishing touches such as candles, plants, and tableware when aiming for luxurious.
38. Outdoor BBQ Kitchen
Stone is used throughout this wonderful BBQ kitchen that features a fancy grill with lights when opened. The space is perfect for preparing a selection of summer dinner items and can be recreated at a reasonable budget too. Stone materials can vary in their appearance, always have a thorough shop around to decide which suits your desired style best.
39. Spacious Open Kitchen
As this kitchen space is primarily indoors it has all the coverage from the weather while still allowing for open dining, letting the outdoors in. The stunning, sleek materials used combined with the color white ensure a modern, elegant finish. If space allows, keep elements as open as possible to replicate this look.
40. Marble And Terracotta Backyard Kitchen Designs
This luxurious terracotta and marble outdoor dining area with a kitchen station is simply beautiful. Combining striking colors and materials, it’s an elegant space in which to enjoy socializing, dining, and drinking with friends. If you want to add a subdued hint of color to your garden kitchen why not consider a red-hued terracotta too?
41. Sleek Marble BBQ Area
Sleek marble makes an appearance in this wonderful grilling station. Easy to clean, sturdy, and stylish, the designer of this kitchen outdoors has used simple materials but created an impressive aesthetic. Marble is a very cool material meaning it won’t overheat easily too which is great for practicality.
42. Beige Barbecue Kitchen Area
A stunning built in outdoor grill area matches the exterior of this house wonderfully using natural tones. Elegant dining can be enjoyed in this space throughout the summer thanks to the use of marble and stainless steel for a sleek finish. Reflective surfaces can be great for adding the illusion of space.
43. Sheltered Kitchen Patio
A stunning array of colors are used in this patio with a kitchen design. From terracotta to natural tones of wood and classic beige, the designer of this space has created a dream open air kitchen alongside a relaxing lounge area too.Think carefully about the materials you use when designing your kitchen.
44. Wooden Kitchen Outdoors
Merging in with nature outdoors, this wonderful wooden kitchen is perfect for BBQ dinner parties. Practical and stylish with a hint of gleaming stainless steel, we love the simplicity and effectiveness of the overall design. A fantastic idea for small garden spaces too, there’s a lot of inspiration to be had. Wood can be very practical too as it doesn’t get super hot in the summer sun.
45. Huge Outdoor Dining Space
This is one of the most extravagant summer kitchen ideas we’ve come across and is hugely impressive. With a pool, lounge area, and more, the kitchen in this space uses lovely mosaic tiles and contrasting dark wood for a stylish finish. While you may not have the largest garden space, this doesn’t mean you can’t achieve luxury. Why not utilize a mosaic backsplash for an easy replica?
As you can see from our selection above, there are so many wonderful outdoor dining and kitchen areas to provide design inspiration. From petite corner BBQ areas that offer the perfect setting for intimate and romantic dining to larger patios adorned with the latest appliances and gazebos. No matter the size of your outdoor space, you can create the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.
