An outdoor kitchen is a luxury extension to your indoor living space. The features available for this backyard setup can boost the usability and value of your outdoor kitchen, as well as improve your space for entertaining guests. If you are interested in building an outdoor kitchen space for your home or upgrading your existing outdoor kitchen, you will likely need to hire an architect and building contractors.

You can build many creative features into an outdoor kitchen that are specific to your needs or uses. Every outdoor kitchen should maintain a kitchen work triangle, linking the fridge, the stove, and the sink. You’ll also need to include storage cabinets or drawers for all outdoor cooking equipment. Before designing an outdoor kitchen space, you’ll need to carefully consider how you want to use your new outdoor space or what features are missing from your current outdoor kitchen. 

Let’s look at a few creative features you may want to consider for your outdoor kitchen. The price and ease of installation of these features vary, but all of them will provide a boost for your space and impress your friends and family. You’ll also need to make sure that the new features you implement are waterproof and ready to withstand more than the summer heat. Luckily, there are many kitchen brands offer products specifically designed for outdoor use.  

Cold Beverage Cooler

Many outdoor kitchens have a built-in space for a beverage cooler or an additional small refrigerator specifically designed for holding cold beverages. A cold beverage cooler for your outdoor space makes grabbing a drink convenient and is great for outdoor parties or get-togethers. Most cold beverage coolers are easy to maintain and can be turned off or stored for the season. 

Contemporary Patio Furniture 

Comfortable seating options are essential for creating an outdoor living space and keeping people together in one area for longer. Bar-style seating is a popular option depending on kitchen design, but full couches are also an option for covered areas or connected patios. If your outdoor living space has a dedicated seating area, you may want to consider adding a fire pit or coffee table to make this space even more relaxing. High-quality outdoor furniture makes it easier to spend more time outdoors in comfort. 

Heating and Cooling Options

For many homeowners, the backyard is a seasonal space only accessible when the weather is nice. There are a few heating and cooling options you can include in your kitchen designs to make your outdoor space accessible no matter the season. There are outdoor fans available for covered spaces to help you combat the heat and outdoor space heaters available for chilly nights. A contemporary fire pit is another option for your patio or nearby outdoor seating area, though it may serve a more decorative purpose.

Pizza Oven

A wood-fired pizza oven is a great luxury addition to an outdoor kitchen and is sure to impress anyone who comes to visit your home. It’s often difficult to make pizza at home, particularly if you are aiming for restaurant quality. Pizza ovens for outdoor spaces heat up quickly, are easy to use, and often come with the necessary cookware. Many fantastic brick or cement designs are available through online retailers, which makes finding an oven that fits your kitchen easy. 

Stepping Stones

If your outdoor kitchen is situated apart from your house, you’ll want to build in a path that makes your indoor and outdoor spaces more connected. Stepping stones help divide the different areas of your backyard and keep everything looking neat. Stone pathways are also great for garden areas or between raised beds. If you’re interested in including a stone walkway for your backyard, you may want to take a look at these DIY ideas for garden stepping stones. 

Kitchen Lighting

If your outdoor living space features a covered kitchen or patio area, you’ll need to consider lighting options for those long summer evenings. Strings lights are great for the perimeter of the kitchen area or as a decorative feature for a patio or covered seating area. However, for the central kitchen workspace, you may need something brighter. Working in the kitchen without proper lighting is dangerous, particularly when using a knife or the stove area, so you’ll need some form of task lighting to brighten up your space. 

Speakers or Sound System

Make your space more enjoyable for all-day use with weatherized speakers or soundbars. These speakers are available for installation in covered areas and bring the convenience of your indoor speaker systems outside. Many outdoor kitchen setups also have room for a TV or other connected entertainment system connected with a speaker system. If you don’t have the space or the budget for adding speakers or a sound system, you can use a waterproof Bluetooth or wireless ultraportable speaker instead. 

Bricks or Tile Patterns

Patterned bricks or tiles are a great way to provide a creative boost to the appearance of your outdoor kitchen. Bricks or other masonry work for outdoor kitchens usually has a fixed cost per linear foot and can be a substantial part of the installation costs associated with the kitchen, so you’ll need to plan this part of your kitchen well in advance. 

8 Creative Features to Consider for Your Outdoor Kitchen

If you’re thinking about building an outdoor kitchen for your backyard, you’ll need to consider how you and your family will use this new space. The features you choose to include in your outdoor kitchen should be customized to your needs and improve the functionality of this space. An outdoor kitchen is a luxury space, so you’ll need to plan out a budget and decide on building materials well in advance. An outdoor kitchen design company can assist with both the planning and construction process and ensure your outdoor kitchen is functional and stylish.