If you love cooking in the sunshine and hosting in the garden, designing an outdoor kitchen should be high on your wish list, saving you from having to go in and out of the house when guests visit in the summer.
From built-in options to affordable standalone units, there are plenty of ways to get creative with this feature and tailor it to both your budget, and garden size.
To find out how you could make your dream outdoor kitchen idea a reality, we asked two experts about the design process, costs, and where to scrimp and spend. We also spoke to a homeowner who created his own from scratch, gathering tips and tricks he learned along the way.
How do I design an outdoor kitchen?
1. The planning stage
Before you get to the fun part – choosing finishes, layouts, and materials – Rupert King, Retail Sales Manager at HEX Living, recommends considering how you genuinely intend to use the space.
Don’t just select something because it aligns with the latest garden trends; he says that "the most successful outdoor kitchens are designed around lifestyle."
With that in mind, have a think about:
- How often the space will be used
- How many people you will typically entertain
- Whether the kitchen will be used in the summer or all-year round
- Exposure to wind, rain and sunlight
- Proximity to the indoor kitchen
- Available utilities and power supply
- Storage requirements
- Shelter and seating arrangements
"Starting with functionality allows every other decision – from layout to appliances – to feel more considered and cohesive," Rupert adds.
When Sam Dimmock from Hertfordshire set about designing his outdoor kitchen, location was a top priority in the planning stage, and he decided to place it in a suntrap spot in his garden. “While I would have liked to add a pergola for when it’s raining, it would have blocked the sunlight.”
2. Choosing the layout
Getting the layout right in your outdoor kitchen is key, especially if you're working with a smaller space. If you don't feel confident, it's worth working with a professional – whether that's a landscaper, kitchen designer, or garden architect – to help you get the most out of this new addition.
"The best outdoor kitchens are designed to encourage interaction rather than separate the cook from guests. Creating clearly defined zones for cooking, dining and relaxing helps the space feel organised while maintaining a natural social flow," says Rupert King.
"Island layouts and integrated seating work particularly well because they allow guests to gather comfortably around the cooking area, making the experience more interactive and informal."
As an avid BBQer, Sam Dimmock designed his layout around his outdoor ovens. “I ensured there was enough space to fit my Kamado Egg BBQ, rotisserie, and different grills, as well as storage for utensils, cleaning equipment, and firelighters.”
3. Selecting the materials
Your outdoor kitchen needs to be hardy enough to withstand whatever weather conditions the UK throws at it – whether that's torrential rain, six-inch snow, or baking sunshine. With that in mind, ensure your worktop materials, cabinets, and worktops are fully weatherproof and, where possible, come with a strong warranty or guarantee.
Rupert King's top recommendation is porcelain, which is highly resistant to UV exposure, moisture, stains, and temperature fluctuations. While natural stone and timber can look aesthetically pleasing and full of character, he warns that they typically require more maintenance and ongoing care.
"Outdoor kitchens face very different environmental conditions to indoor spaces, so durability should carry just as much weight as appearance," he adds.
As a budget-friendly alternative to traditional worktops, Sam Dimmock carried his porcelain paving slabs up onto the countertops, creating a seamless – and affordable – appearance in his outdoor kitchen.
"At some point I do want to add a granite worktop, but the porcelain works well for now," he says. "I chose stainless steel built-in cabinet doors, as they are durable, weatherproof and match my BBQ."
Rupert is the Retail Sales Manager at HEX Living, bringing more than 20 years’ experience within the outdoor living and leisure sector. Prior to joining HEX Living, Rupert owned and operated a successful business specialising in the manufacture of high-quality wooden outdoor furniture, supplying garden centres, major retail chains and the education sector across the UK.
Where do I spend and save on an outdoor kitchen?
While it can be possible to create an outdoor kitchen on a budget, some areas aren't worth scrimping on, according to Rupert King.
Where to spend
- Robust worktops
- High-quality cabinetry
- Good garden lighting
- Power supply
- Metal parts
- Reliable appliances
Where to save
- Accessories
- Styling pieces
- Secondary appliances
Shop these outdoor kitchen accessories
Every outdoor kitchen needs a drinks fridge, and this one by Haier features an anti-UV door and space for 34 bottles
Forget juggling 100 condiments and utensils between indoors and outdoors – this caddy makes it easy to carry everything at once
Weatherproof and tear-resistant, these three-layer covers will keep your outdoor chairs protected all year round
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
An outdoor kitchen can cost anywhere between £300 and £40,000, according to Joanne Bull, Marketing Manager for KönigOutdoor.
We appreciate this is a wide range, but she says it will depend on whether you choose a simple brick-built unit, or go all out on a design-led kitchen with integrated appliances and bespoke cabinets.
Joanne Bull is the Marketing Manager at KönigOutdoor.
How much space do you need to add an outdoor kitchen?
"We have installed outdoor kitchens on small rooftop terraces to sprawling country gardens, so don’t be put off if it’s not going in a large garden," says Joanne Bull. "A 3m x 3m space is adequate for a compact, yet comfortable setup with a cooking appliance, cabinetry and worktops."
What are the common mistakes people make when designing an outdoor kitchen?
Let’s take a look at some of the most common mistakes people make when designing an outdoor kitchen, so you can avoid them:
1. Not researching the materials enough: Your outdoor kitchen needs to withstand all sorts of weather conditions throughout the year, so you can't choose just any old material. It needs to be durable, weatherproof, and low maintenance – otherwise, you'll end up replacing it a year later.
2. Not allowing enough storage and prep space: Joanne Bull says many people overlook this, resulting in, “endless ferrying of plates, utensils, and ingredients back and forth to the indoor kitchen,” which defeats the whole point of this feature.
3. Poor positioning: This could look like "a lack of shelter from wind, a drinks fridge placed in direct sunlight, or smoke drifting straight into open bifold doors."
There’s a lot to consider when designing an outdoor kitchen, but with proper planning and the right core materials, you’ll be on track to creating something beautiful, long-lasting, and built for making memories.
For more practical advice and design inspiration, browse through these brilliant garden bar ideas or learn how to build a garden room.
