Start your outdoor kitchen design by listing your wish list in order from “must-have” to “would be nice”. Your contractor can help you assess your space requirements and budget to determine what will fit on the final list.

Whether you go prefab or completely custom, it’s important to assess the utilities before starting your project. Locations of gas lines, plumbing and electrical may dictate some aspects of your design. If a fire pit or outdoor fireplace are included in the design, it will be important to measure distances from structures and to assess local ordinances.

Plan Your Design

Outdoor Kitchen Materials:

We suggest picking two paver styles. The first should be your ideal look and stone. The second should be your favorite budget-conscious stone. Once you add your materials list to your accessories, features and appliance must-haves list, you may choose to go with a more budget friendly stone to accommodate your desired appliances. If your desired features can be coordinated with your ideal stone, all the better! It can often be easier to adjust your budget in terms of materials than you can with feature selection. You may wish to do the same with your countertop materials.

Design Aspects:

Will you be placing all or some of the kitchen under some form of shelter? Pergolas are a favorite, but awnings, retractable awnings and canopies can be a desirable option as well.
Lighting is also an important aspect to plan from the beginning. Outdoor light fixtures can be used to brighten key workspaces and walkways.

Add Accessories & Appliances to Your Outdoor Kitchen Design:

Whether you want it all – or just want the basics, there are plenty of options for your outdoor kitchen design. Some of the more common, and more fun options include:

Grill
Refrigerator
Wine Refrigerator
Ice Maker
Bar
Sink
Fireplace
Oven
Icemaker
Built in Cooler
Storage Drawers
Speakers
Television
Stone Walls/Seating