Landscape Design
15 Outdoor Kitchens That Serve Up Meals With Style
Inviting and hardworking spaces take grilling, cooking and entertaining to the next level
An outdoor kitchen takes backyard entertaining to the next level. The design can be as simple as a built-in grill set into an outdoor counter or a more elaborate setup with a pizza oven, a beverage fridge, a bar and plenty of storage and prep space. Let these 15 fun, functional and good-looking outdoor kitchens inspire you to cook in the open air.
2. Cooking With a View
Commanding views of a rolling green landscape in Great Falls, Virginia, can be seen from this outdoor kitchen. The top priority for Steve Waldron and Kevin Kurdziolek of Pristine Acres was to incorporate two grills: a standard gas grill and a Big Green Egg. Storage drawers, a small refrigerator and a trash pullout round out the design. A quartzite countertop turns a corner to form the top of a bar overlooking an entertaining pavilion; fieldstone below it is the same as used on the home’s exterior.
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What to Know About Adding an Outdoor Kitchen
Commanding views of a rolling green landscape in Great Falls, Virginia, can be seen from this outdoor kitchen. The top priority for Steve Waldron and Kevin Kurdziolek of Pristine Acres was to incorporate two grills: a standard gas grill and a Big Green Egg. Storage drawers, a small refrigerator and a trash pullout round out the design. A quartzite countertop turns a corner to form the top of a bar overlooking an entertaining pavilion; fieldstone below it is the same as used on the home’s exterior.
Read more about this yard
What to Know About Adding an Outdoor Kitchen
3. Black and White
Landscape architect Brian Baughman of Double B Design gave this outdoor kitchen in Austin, Texas, plenty of counter space, a grill, an ice maker, a fridge and stainless steel storage and warming drawers. LED tape lights below the counters add a low glow at night.
A center island, with its eye-catching black-and-white tiled base, is the perfect place for setting out drinks and food, chatting with the cook or catching a football game on TV. White board-and-batten paneling lends a modern farmhouse feel, while strips of artificial turf break up an expanse of concrete on the floor.
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Landscape architect Brian Baughman of Double B Design gave this outdoor kitchen in Austin, Texas, plenty of counter space, a grill, an ice maker, a fridge and stainless steel storage and warming drawers. LED tape lights below the counters add a low glow at night.
A center island, with its eye-catching black-and-white tiled base, is the perfect place for setting out drinks and food, chatting with the cook or catching a football game on TV. White board-and-batten paneling lends a modern farmhouse feel, while strips of artificial turf break up an expanse of concrete on the floor.
Read more about this patio
Shop for an outdoor grill
4. Elevated Elegance
This terrace kitchen for a home in Washington, D.C., by landscape architect Joseph Richardson and Black Pearl has classic style. Richardson and landscape architect Adam Sexton paired white cabinets with a honed graphite-gray Virginia granite countertop. They then tucked a refrigerator, grill and trash pullout into the galley-style kitchen for easy outdoor prep. A pergola made of black powder-coated steel and clear cedar wood extends over the kitchen and dining area, defining and shading it.
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This terrace kitchen for a home in Washington, D.C., by landscape architect Joseph Richardson and Black Pearl has classic style. Richardson and landscape architect Adam Sexton paired white cabinets with a honed graphite-gray Virginia granite countertop. They then tucked a refrigerator, grill and trash pullout into the galley-style kitchen for easy outdoor prep. A pergola made of black powder-coated steel and clear cedar wood extends over the kitchen and dining area, defining and shading it.
Read more about this patio
5. Indoor-Outdoor Connection
A pass-through window connects the indoor and outdoor kitchens of this ranch-style home in Bow Mar, a suburb of Denver. Architect Paul Mahoney of KGA Studio Architects and the landscape architects at Elevate by Design installed a U-shaped powder-coated metal outdoor kitchen by Artisan to house a grill, refrigerator and bar. The cabinets and counter extend along the back wall of the house for extra storage and workspace.
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A pass-through window connects the indoor and outdoor kitchens of this ranch-style home in Bow Mar, a suburb of Denver. Architect Paul Mahoney of KGA Studio Architects and the landscape architects at Elevate by Design installed a U-shaped powder-coated metal outdoor kitchen by Artisan to house a grill, refrigerator and bar. The cabinets and counter extend along the back wall of the house for extra storage and workspace.
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6. Rustic Grill Station
These Richmond, Virginia, homeowners turned to designer and builder Greg Koehler of Outdoor Dreams, whose work they had admired on Houzz, when it was time to design their outdoor space. Their wish list included a grilling spot that would complement the patio and interior kitchen.
Koehler designed a cooking area with a gas grill and two side burners, perfect for whipping up a single main dish or multiple dishes. He covered the island in Mountain Ledge stone veneer from Eldorado Stone in a color called Charleston. Granite countertops match those in the indoor kitchen.
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These Richmond, Virginia, homeowners turned to designer and builder Greg Koehler of Outdoor Dreams, whose work they had admired on Houzz, when it was time to design their outdoor space. Their wish list included a grilling spot that would complement the patio and interior kitchen.
Koehler designed a cooking area with a gas grill and two side burners, perfect for whipping up a single main dish or multiple dishes. He covered the island in Mountain Ledge stone veneer from Eldorado Stone in a color called Charleston. Granite countertops match those in the indoor kitchen.
Read more about this patio
7. Lakeside Locale
A screened porch at this North Carolina home overlooking Lake Norman features the outdoor kitchen. Designer Sandy Kritzinger of Collaborative Interior Design created the year-round good grilling station that was a must-have for the homeowner. It offers a view and has almost 10 feet of honed granite counter space with storage underneath.
The space feels natural and organic, with a rattan overhead light and plantation shutters lending a coastal vibe. For contrast, Kritzinger added a modern backsplash that mimics concrete but is a more durable and washable porcelain tile.
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A screened porch at this North Carolina home overlooking Lake Norman features the outdoor kitchen. Designer Sandy Kritzinger of Collaborative Interior Design created the year-round good grilling station that was a must-have for the homeowner. It offers a view and has almost 10 feet of honed granite counter space with storage underneath.
The space feels natural and organic, with a rattan overhead light and plantation shutters lending a coastal vibe. For contrast, Kritzinger added a modern backsplash that mimics concrete but is a more durable and washable porcelain tile.
Read more about this deck
8. Destination Dining
Natalie Tan Landscape Architecture and Blue Sierra Landscape Construction set this well-equipped outdoor kitchen and dining area at the top of a sloped backyard in San Jose, California. The kitchen features a 42-inch grill, adjacent burners, an undercounter refrigerator, a sink and stainless steel storage cabinets. It also includes western red cedar cabinet cladding and black quartz countertops. Shade cloths overhead offer protection from the elements.
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Natalie Tan Landscape Architecture and Blue Sierra Landscape Construction set this well-equipped outdoor kitchen and dining area at the top of a sloped backyard in San Jose, California. The kitchen features a 42-inch grill, adjacent burners, an undercounter refrigerator, a sink and stainless steel storage cabinets. It also includes western red cedar cabinet cladding and black quartz countertops. Shade cloths overhead offer protection from the elements.
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9. Designed for Entertaining
This setup in a Los Angeles backyard packs everything for outdoor entertaining into a small space. Designer and builder Christopher Grubb of Arch-Interiors Design Group created a U-shaped kitchen with a grill, a refrigerator, a sink with an integrated cutting board and plenty of stainless steel cabinetry for storing dishware and cocktail items. He used Dekton — an ultracompact quartz surface — for the countertop and added small downlights to illuminate the space.
Grubb also installed a pergola for shade and added a bar ledge for serving and enjoying drinks. A glass tile backsplash that echoes the colors of the pool completes the space.
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This setup in a Los Angeles backyard packs everything for outdoor entertaining into a small space. Designer and builder Christopher Grubb of Arch-Interiors Design Group created a U-shaped kitchen with a grill, a refrigerator, a sink with an integrated cutting board and plenty of stainless steel cabinetry for storing dishware and cocktail items. He used Dekton — an ultracompact quartz surface — for the countertop and added small downlights to illuminate the space.
Grubb also installed a pergola for shade and added a bar ledge for serving and enjoying drinks. A glass tile backsplash that echoes the colors of the pool completes the space.
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10. Grill Master Reimagined
Architect Stewart Davis and interior designer Madison Mullins of CG&S Design-Build and Pearson Landscape Services gave this Austin, Texas, yard a grill-focused island with a wood-fired Argentine grill, a gas grill with a dedicated gas line running to it and a crawfish-boil-type extra burner. There are drawers to hold grilling tools and a space for wood storage. A toe kick allows the homeowner to work as close to the grills as necessary.
An adjacent workspace has a fridge on the right and a big sink on the left. The base is concrete block covered in stucco, the countertops are custom concrete and the shelves are local Lueders limestone, all of which can handle the hot climate and heat from the grills. A TV above encourages family and friends to hang out and keep the cook company.
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Architect Stewart Davis and interior designer Madison Mullins of CG&S Design-Build and Pearson Landscape Services gave this Austin, Texas, yard a grill-focused island with a wood-fired Argentine grill, a gas grill with a dedicated gas line running to it and a crawfish-boil-type extra burner. There are drawers to hold grilling tools and a space for wood storage. A toe kick allows the homeowner to work as close to the grills as necessary.
An adjacent workspace has a fridge on the right and a big sink on the left. The base is concrete block covered in stucco, the countertops are custom concrete and the shelves are local Lueders limestone, all of which can handle the hot climate and heat from the grills. A TV above encourages family and friends to hang out and keep the cook company.
Read more about this yard
11. Roof Garden Retreat
Landscape designer Georgia Lindsay and PerlaRose Landscapes located this outdoor kitchen along one wall of a rooftop terrace in North London. It sits opposite an existing dumbwaiter (clad in cedar shingles) that makes it easy to bring up food and drinks from the indoor kitchen below. The outdoor kitchen includes a gas grill, a beverage fridge, a sink and plenty of storage. A hardworking granite countertop provides prep space and complements the kitchen’s understated style. Cube-shaped lights attached to trellis posts illuminate the space. Lindsay also added potted herbs for cooking.
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Landscape designer Georgia Lindsay and PerlaRose Landscapes located this outdoor kitchen along one wall of a rooftop terrace in North London. It sits opposite an existing dumbwaiter (clad in cedar shingles) that makes it easy to bring up food and drinks from the indoor kitchen below. The outdoor kitchen includes a gas grill, a beverage fridge, a sink and plenty of storage. A hardworking granite countertop provides prep space and complements the kitchen’s understated style. Cube-shaped lights attached to trellis posts illuminate the space. Lindsay also added potted herbs for cooking.
Read more about this rooftop patio
12. Poolside Pavilion
This poolside pavilion in Metairie, Louisiana, by architect Nathan Fell and Chatagnier Construction features an outdoor kitchen, a living space and a bar area. The kitchen includes a pizza oven, an Egg grill, multiple burners and a sink. The bar, which faces the cooking area, is topped with Caesarstone and has a concrete accent on the wall. Wood covers the vaulted ceiling. Overhead fans provide illumination at night and circulate the air to help cool things down.
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This poolside pavilion in Metairie, Louisiana, by architect Nathan Fell and Chatagnier Construction features an outdoor kitchen, a living space and a bar area. The kitchen includes a pizza oven, an Egg grill, multiple burners and a sink. The bar, which faces the cooking area, is topped with Caesarstone and has a concrete accent on the wall. Wood covers the vaulted ceiling. Overhead fans provide illumination at night and circulate the air to help cool things down.
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13. Winning Combination
This outdoor kitchen combines two grilling options: a gas grill and a ceramic smoker. Landscape designer Greg Koehler of Outdoor Dreams used the L-shaped kitchen to anchor a new patio at this Powhatan County, Virginia, home. He incorporated a side burner, a trash pullout and storage. A bar-height countertop provides space for prep and seating.
Koehler matched the outdoor kitchen materials to those used in a wet bar under the shelter of a second-story deck for a cohesive connection. The base is a thin stone veneer in chocolate gray. The countertop is black granite with a leathered finish, ideal for outdoor use.
Countertop: Brazilian black granite, Classic Granite & Marble; grill: Kamado Joe
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This outdoor kitchen combines two grilling options: a gas grill and a ceramic smoker. Landscape designer Greg Koehler of Outdoor Dreams used the L-shaped kitchen to anchor a new patio at this Powhatan County, Virginia, home. He incorporated a side burner, a trash pullout and storage. A bar-height countertop provides space for prep and seating.
Koehler matched the outdoor kitchen materials to those used in a wet bar under the shelter of a second-story deck for a cohesive connection. The base is a thin stone veneer in chocolate gray. The countertop is black granite with a leathered finish, ideal for outdoor use.
Countertop: Brazilian black granite, Classic Granite & Marble; grill: Kamado Joe
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14. Relaxing Resort Style
Desert resort style defines this Arcadia, Arizona, outdoor kitchen by Iconic by Kaitlyn Wolfe and Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools. Wolfe included a grill, a sink, refrigerator drawers and an ice maker in the linear setup. The kitchen’s painted brick base matches a nearby fire feature and built-in bench.
Wolfe also used the same gray porcelain tiles she installed on the floor for the countertops and tall backsplash to create a sense of calm and cohesion. She finished off the look with a black matte faucet.
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Desert resort style defines this Arcadia, Arizona, outdoor kitchen by Iconic by Kaitlyn Wolfe and Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools. Wolfe included a grill, a sink, refrigerator drawers and an ice maker in the linear setup. The kitchen’s painted brick base matches a nearby fire feature and built-in bench.
Wolfe also used the same gray porcelain tiles she installed on the floor for the countertops and tall backsplash to create a sense of calm and cohesion. She finished off the look with a black matte faucet.
Read more about this patio
15. Serene Setting
Landscape designer Colin Miller of Envision Landscape Studio incorporated this Walnut Creek, California, outdoor kitchen into a deck that overlooks a pool and the house. Blending beautifully into the Japanese-inspired backyard, the kitchen includes a grill, a sink, a trash pullout and storage. Miller used Thermory, a rot-resistant sustainably harvested wood treated with heat and steam, for the kitchen base, and concrete for the counter. A redwood bar, which echoes the nearby dining table, runs along the back of the setup.
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Landscape designer Colin Miller of Envision Landscape Studio incorporated this Walnut Creek, California, outdoor kitchen into a deck that overlooks a pool and the house. Blending beautifully into the Japanese-inspired backyard, the kitchen includes a grill, a sink, a trash pullout and storage. Miller used Thermory, a rot-resistant sustainably harvested wood treated with heat and steam, for the kitchen base, and concrete for the counter. A redwood bar, which echoes the nearby dining table, runs along the back of the setup.
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More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Get landscape design ideas
Find a landscape designer or architect
Shop for outdoor products
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This outdoor kitchen in Toronto has alfresco cooking needs covered with a wood-burning pizza oven, a trash-and-recycling pullout, a gas grill, storage and a mini fridge (all from Lynx Grills). Landscape architect Kyle Foch of Foch Family Landscape Architecture, working with The Brooklin Group, tied everything together with a sealed and polished black limestone countertop. The stone base matches the Craftsman-style home’s facade. Foch also added a pergola to shade the cooking area and the adjacent dining area.
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