How to Install an Outdoor Kitchen
Want that holiday feel at home? An outdoor kitchen can help you make the most of warmer weather and your garden
Cooking outside has come a long way since the days of disposable barbecues and burnt sausages. With outdoor rooms an ever-growing trend, more homeowners are installing proper kitchens in their gardens. These feature storage, a work surface, perhaps an outdoor sink or even a fridge, and somewhere, of course, to cook.
We asked the experts what to consider before you start shopping for that pizza oven or gas-powered barbecue…
Professional advice from: Tom Howard of Tom Howard Garden Design & Landscaping; Georgia Lindsay of Georgia Lindsay Garden Design; Paul Scott of The Outdoor Kitchen Company
We asked the experts what to consider before you start shopping for that pizza oven or gas-powered barbecue…
Professional advice from: Tom Howard of Tom Howard Garden Design & Landscaping; Georgia Lindsay of Georgia Lindsay Garden Design; Paul Scott of The Outdoor Kitchen Company
Photos & Products
Why install an outdoor kitchen?
Eating outside, whether with friends or family, is one of the undeniable pleasures of summer, but we’re moving on from the humble mobile barbecue. “Top of most people’s wish list in their garden is an entertaining area,” Tom Howard says. “And if clients have the money, a proper outdoor kitchen is increasingly the way to go.”
“We’ve always had barbecues in our garden,” Georgia Lindsay says. “What makes a design stand out as an outdoor kitchen is it’s a bespoke item that’s integrated into the design of the garden.”
Make the challenge of finding the right pros for your project easier by searching the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Eating outside, whether with friends or family, is one of the undeniable pleasures of summer, but we’re moving on from the humble mobile barbecue. “Top of most people’s wish list in their garden is an entertaining area,” Tom Howard says. “And if clients have the money, a proper outdoor kitchen is increasingly the way to go.”
“We’ve always had barbecues in our garden,” Georgia Lindsay says. “What makes a design stand out as an outdoor kitchen is it’s a bespoke item that’s integrated into the design of the garden.”
Make the challenge of finding the right pros for your project easier by searching the Houzz Professionals Directory.
How easy is it to plan one and how much do they cost?
Planning an outdoor kitchen doesn’t need to be daunting. “There are now many modular systems on the market that can be added onto,” Georgia says. “So you can start with a barbecue and add a sink or work surface or whatever you might want.”
“Ikea even does a modular outdoor kitchen now,” Paul Scott says. A simple outdoor sink unit, for instance, costs £215.
Overall, costs will vary based on quality and what functionality you want from it, Paul adds. “A panelled stainless-steel kitchen might cost between £2,500 and £5,000. Ours start at about £5,000 for a barbecue unit and go up to about £30,000,” he says.
More integrated kitchens can cost as much as £50,000, depending how high-spec you want to go.
Planning an outdoor kitchen doesn’t need to be daunting. “There are now many modular systems on the market that can be added onto,” Georgia says. “So you can start with a barbecue and add a sink or work surface or whatever you might want.”
“Ikea even does a modular outdoor kitchen now,” Paul Scott says. A simple outdoor sink unit, for instance, costs £215.
Overall, costs will vary based on quality and what functionality you want from it, Paul adds. “A panelled stainless-steel kitchen might cost between £2,500 and £5,000. Ours start at about £5,000 for a barbecue unit and go up to about £30,000,” he says.
More integrated kitchens can cost as much as £50,000, depending how high-spec you want to go.
What are the key measurements?
“We usually tell people to mark out the space they want to commit to their kitchen with masking tape,” Paul says. “That tells us what we have to work with.” Clients then give a wish list of key things they’d like. “For example, an integrated barbecue, a pizza oven and a fridge. We then provide a proposal based on that.”
Most kitchens tend to be around 2.4m wide, Tom says. “The average barbecue is about 750mm, and you’ll want food prep surfaces on one side – around 1m is nice.”
With an integrated kitchen, you should ensure the hood of your barbecue isn’t hitting the boundary wall or fence. To counteract this, Tom recommends a worktop depth of 700mm or 800mm.
“We usually tell people to mark out the space they want to commit to their kitchen with masking tape,” Paul says. “That tells us what we have to work with.” Clients then give a wish list of key things they’d like. “For example, an integrated barbecue, a pizza oven and a fridge. We then provide a proposal based on that.”
Most kitchens tend to be around 2.4m wide, Tom says. “The average barbecue is about 750mm, and you’ll want food prep surfaces on one side – around 1m is nice.”
With an integrated kitchen, you should ensure the hood of your barbecue isn’t hitting the boundary wall or fence. To counteract this, Tom recommends a worktop depth of 700mm or 800mm.
Where should I put my outdoor kitchen?
When choosing your site, think about your neighbours and whether you’ll be disturbing them.
Tom also suggests thinking about where the sun falls. “You probably want to have your kitchen close to your seating area,” he says. “In a north-facing garden, that is most likely to be at the back.”
Also consider issues such as wind direction, Georgia says. “In built-up areas, you can end up with a wind tunnel. If you have an eating area next to the barbecue, you don’t want smoke blowing in guests’ faces.”
One advantage of a freestanding design, Paul says, is that you can potentially move the whole kitchen around if you realise that shady or breezy spot isn’t quite right after all.
When choosing your site, think about your neighbours and whether you’ll be disturbing them.
Tom also suggests thinking about where the sun falls. “You probably want to have your kitchen close to your seating area,” he says. “In a north-facing garden, that is most likely to be at the back.”
Also consider issues such as wind direction, Georgia says. “In built-up areas, you can end up with a wind tunnel. If you have an eating area next to the barbecue, you don’t want smoke blowing in guests’ faces.”
One advantage of a freestanding design, Paul says, is that you can potentially move the whole kitchen around if you realise that shady or breezy spot isn’t quite right after all.
Which materials should I use?
“More times than not, we’ll build a bespoke unit, often out of concrete blocks that are rendered and painted,” Tom says. Remember, if you’re using concrete blocks, you’ll need to dig foundations.
When it comes to worktops, granite is practical outdoors, say the experts. “We tend to go for a matt grey granite,” Tom says. “You don’t want anything too shiny or sparkly in the sun. It’s very forgiving and looks smart. You can also polish the front edges.”
“Granite is a good solution,” Georgia agrees. “It doesn’t crack with changes in temperature like some stones.”
Paul, meanwhile, uses practical – and cheaper – porcelain worktops for his outdoor kitchens. “Porcelain is a very hard and durable material and very hygienic – no mould or algae can grow on it. Plus, as it’s UV-stable, it won’t fade. You can also jet-wash it easily, with zero water absorption. With granite, you have to seal it every so often.”
If you’re on a real budget, Georgia suggests, “You can use a porcelain paving slab as a worktop. Often, it’s the cutouts that are a costly aspect in kitchens. Outdoors if you don’t have a hob and sink, you can just use offcuts.”
“More times than not, we’ll build a bespoke unit, often out of concrete blocks that are rendered and painted,” Tom says. Remember, if you’re using concrete blocks, you’ll need to dig foundations.
When it comes to worktops, granite is practical outdoors, say the experts. “We tend to go for a matt grey granite,” Tom says. “You don’t want anything too shiny or sparkly in the sun. It’s very forgiving and looks smart. You can also polish the front edges.”
“Granite is a good solution,” Georgia agrees. “It doesn’t crack with changes in temperature like some stones.”
Paul, meanwhile, uses practical – and cheaper – porcelain worktops for his outdoor kitchens. “Porcelain is a very hard and durable material and very hygienic – no mould or algae can grow on it. Plus, as it’s UV-stable, it won’t fade. You can also jet-wash it easily, with zero water absorption. With granite, you have to seal it every so often.”
If you’re on a real budget, Georgia suggests, “You can use a porcelain paving slab as a worktop. Often, it’s the cutouts that are a costly aspect in kitchens. Outdoors if you don’t have a hob and sink, you can just use offcuts.”
Which cabinet doors are best?
Some outdoor kitchens feature stainless-steel doors, but many design experts prefer the look of wood. “I think these look a bit more modern,” Tom says. “We’ll often use a slatted timber door, which allows ventilation and stops things getting nasty inside. For health and safety, you need vents or air bricks.”
When it comes to materials, Tom says, “We typically use cedar – it’s one of the hardest of the softwoods, with lots of protective oils.”
Paul, meanwhile, recommends using warp-proof, weatherproof composite materials.
Some outdoor kitchens feature stainless-steel doors, but many design experts prefer the look of wood. “I think these look a bit more modern,” Tom says. “We’ll often use a slatted timber door, which allows ventilation and stops things getting nasty inside. For health and safety, you need vents or air bricks.”
When it comes to materials, Tom says, “We typically use cedar – it’s one of the hardest of the softwoods, with lots of protective oils.”
Paul, meanwhile, recommends using warp-proof, weatherproof composite materials.
What do I need to know about adding a sink?
More people are also going for outdoor sinks for rinsing hands, salads and utensils. “A hot tap will be more costly, and might not be necessary, but running a cold supply from your existing outdoor tap is easy,” Georgia says.
“You obviously also have to think about where the water will drain,” Tom adds.
Outdoor splashbacks are also an option. “It’s a chance to do something different, and use things such as Moroccan tiles,” Tom says. Paul adds that backboards can be used “for lighting and utensils”.
More people are also going for outdoor sinks for rinsing hands, salads and utensils. “A hot tap will be more costly, and might not be necessary, but running a cold supply from your existing outdoor tap is easy,” Georgia says.
“You obviously also have to think about where the water will drain,” Tom adds.
Outdoor splashbacks are also an option. “It’s a chance to do something different, and use things such as Moroccan tiles,” Tom says. Paul adds that backboards can be used “for lighting and utensils”.
How about a fridge?
Outdoor fridges are becoming increasingly popular. “These are one of the key things people are asking for,” Paul says.
“They can be like wine chillers, with a glass front, for drinks; or you can get integrated ones hidden by a cupboard, as you would indoors,” Tom says. “However, we only recommend a fridge if your kitchen is a distance from the house.”
Running electricity from the house for a fridge is straightforward,” Georgia adds, “especially as most gardens are lit anyway.”
Outdoor fridges are becoming increasingly popular. “These are one of the key things people are asking for,” Paul says.
“They can be like wine chillers, with a glass front, for drinks; or you can get integrated ones hidden by a cupboard, as you would indoors,” Tom says. “However, we only recommend a fridge if your kitchen is a distance from the house.”
Running electricity from the house for a fridge is straightforward,” Georgia adds, “especially as most gardens are lit anyway.”
What are my cooking options?
When it comes to cooker choices, a built-in gas barbecue is still popular, but ceramic kamado-style grills, such as the Big Green Egg (seen here), are another great option. These ceramic sealed units burn charcoal and hardwood. “The beauty is they’re almost like a pressure cooker,” Georgia says. “They roast as well as barbecue.”
“They’re really flexible,” Paul adds, “as you can do slow cooking, classic barbecuing and searing steaks on them – and you can get temperatures really high and do pizzas, too.”
When it comes to cooker choices, a built-in gas barbecue is still popular, but ceramic kamado-style grills, such as the Big Green Egg (seen here), are another great option. These ceramic sealed units burn charcoal and hardwood. “The beauty is they’re almost like a pressure cooker,” Georgia says. “They roast as well as barbecue.”
“They’re really flexible,” Paul adds, “as you can do slow cooking, classic barbecuing and searing steaks on them – and you can get temperatures really high and do pizzas, too.”
Worktop-based pizza ovens are also growing in popularity. “[Some models are] portable, so you can fold the legs and put them away when not in use,” Paul says. “They provide restaurant-grade, wood-fired pizzas. We often make a cutout on the worktop as a nice discreet solution, so they look purpose-built.”
What else do I need to consider?
If you’re using a gas barbecue, you’ll need space for your gas tank inside the units. “For health and safety purposes, you shouldn’t put your gas tank directly below the cooker, it should be diagonal,” Tom says.
You can run mains gas down to your barbecue, “but it can be a pricey thing to do. Most of the time, patio gas is sufficient,” he says.
Other storage behind doors can be used for whatever you wish. Cupboards could be used for “soft furnishings and cushions, coal or cooking utensils. Many clients are also now asking for bin storage,” Paul says.
Don’t forget to plan lighting. “The worst thing is to be out there cooking and not be able to see when your meat’s done,” Georgia says.
It’s also a good idea to plan for unpredictable weather conditions. Here, a clever garage-style door provides extra shelter, but many people also put up a pergola or canopy to protect from rain showers. As Paul says, “This allows you to cook in all weathers.”
Tell us…
Have you installed an outdoor kitchen? Share your tips and photos in the Comments.
If you’re using a gas barbecue, you’ll need space for your gas tank inside the units. “For health and safety purposes, you shouldn’t put your gas tank directly below the cooker, it should be diagonal,” Tom says.
You can run mains gas down to your barbecue, “but it can be a pricey thing to do. Most of the time, patio gas is sufficient,” he says.
Other storage behind doors can be used for whatever you wish. Cupboards could be used for “soft furnishings and cushions, coal or cooking utensils. Many clients are also now asking for bin storage,” Paul says.
Don’t forget to plan lighting. “The worst thing is to be out there cooking and not be able to see when your meat’s done,” Georgia says.
It’s also a good idea to plan for unpredictable weather conditions. Here, a clever garage-style door provides extra shelter, but many people also put up a pergola or canopy to protect from rain showers. As Paul says, “This allows you to cook in all weathers.”
Tell us…
Have you installed an outdoor kitchen? Share your tips and photos in the Comments.
This years project. We have already installed a pergola with Louvre roof and side blinds so we can pull down to protect the kitchen in winter.
I am just hoping that my neighbours never install an outside kitchen. It seems to me that any tranquillity in gardens will soon be a thing of the past.
Agree where neighbours are nearby. Not our case