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10 outdoor kitchen ideas

Move over humble barbecue; it’s time to embrace the full outdoor kitchen setup. It’s the latest must-have for those who take their al fresco entertaining seriously.

Whatever your style, we’ve got you covered, from bespoke built-in kitchens to rustic wooden kitchens to outdoor kitchen walls. Good Homes, take a look at some of the best outdoor kitchen ideas out there…

1. Covered outdoor kitchen

From canopies to bespoke-built structures, adding shelter means you can cook and dine alfresco whatever the weather. Designs with retractable roofs mean you can open them up on a good day. The below design by London Essex Outdoor Living includes an area for cooking, dining and relaxing, from £15,000.

London Essex Outdoor Living

Photo: London Essex Outdoor Living

2. Simple set up

The beauty of buying individual elements is that you can design your kitchen to suit your space and needs – and add to it if you want to. It also means you can pick it up and take it with you if you move house. Ikea’s Grillskär collection includes everything from a barbecue with a built-in thermometer in the hood, to storage units with adjustable shelves and a sink that connects to a garden hose. The Ikea configuration shown below costs £1,015.

ikea grillskar modular outdoor kitchen

Ikea’s Grillskär modular outdoor kitchen collection

3. Outdoor kitchen wall

If you’re looking for small and simple outdoor kitchen ideas, this WWOO outdoor kitchen wall idea by Garden House Design includes a concrete surface prep space, a sink, simple storage and an egg-shape barbecue. While the iconic Big Green Egg, which bakes, roasts and barbecues, ranges in price from £795-£1,795.

WWOO outdoor kitchen designs with pattern tiles - garden - goodhomesmagazine.com

Photo: Garden House Design

4. Brickwork BBQ station

This brickwork BBQ station is a great option if you have leftover material from an extension or renovation. Bricks are a great option for a DIY outdoor kitchen and creating your own large, built-in cooking space makes a real statement. Or you could factor it into your renovation for a seamless addition to a traditional redbrick home.

Outdoor brickwork kitchen with outdoor lighting, goodhomesmagazine.com

Photo: Industville/@thesussexrectory

5. Rustic outdoor kitchen

This creation at a coastal Cornwall home uses reclaimed wood and concrete surfaces to give off a mix of rustic country kitchen and industrial chic vibes. While outdoor fridges and wine coolers are fairly common appliances, it’s also possible to buy electric hobs and ovens for exterior use. Whatever you choose, ensure the model is specially designed for installing outside. You’ll also need to extend a power supply from your home to your garden.

alfresco kitchen on an expansive terrace in cornwall with views of the beach in the background

Photo: Unique Home Stays

6. Moveable outdoor kitchen

When you are stuck for space or want the flexibility of an indoor-outdoor set up, furniture and appliances that can be moved around make for one of the simplest outdoor kitchen ideas. Freestanding kitchen units from Vlaze Adapt can be moved from indoors to outside. They can also be made to accommodate barbecues and pizza ovens.

Moveable outdoor kitchen by VlazeAdapt

Freestanding kitchen units from Vlaze Adapt

7. Outdoor tile style

The phenomenal growth of the outdoor living trend means that garden design is catching up with interior design in terms of the desire to create unique and functional spaces. Exterior tiles are not only a practical choice that stands up to wear and tear and requires minimal maintenance, they also come in an ever-increasing range of styles. The below design using encaustic Ca’Pietra tiles makes a real style statement.

8. Wooden outdoor kitchen

This lust-worthy wooden outdoor kitchen has been built as a semi-covered structure to help shelter from the sun, rain and other extreme weather conditions. Even when covered, you’ll need to consider materials that are durable for outside use when creating your garden cooking space.

9. Jungle kitchen

Create an outdoor kitchen that blends right into your garden, with a wild alfresco feel. Talking Tables have created some brilliant outdoor Waterproof Paisley Outdoor rugs (from £40) that will withstand the elements and add a bold, contemporary feel to your outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor kitchen surrounded by greenery

Photo: Talking Tables

10. Stone outdoor kitchen

When planning an outdoor kitchen, give the same consideration to materials that you would indoors. Work surfaces should be truly resistant to water and able to take the heat of a hot pan. Durable and resilient natural stone is an ideal choice. If you want a sink and running water, include it at the early planning stage to allow for pipework and waste to be installed first.


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