Top 10 Most Inspiring Outdoor Kitchen Designs and Ideas
Studies show that children don’t want more time with parents, but instead prefer time with parents who don’t seem stressed when they’re together. Being outdoors is the perfect way to release stress with family and friends.
Explore outdoor kitchen designs that create a soothing place for your family to unwind at the end of a busy week. Check out this list of the top 10 most inspiring outdoor kitchen ideas.
1. Sunken Seating Area
Conversation pits are making a comeback. Add a sunken seating area to your backyard space to create a cozy room for guests to relax.
This mid-century modern design concept was popular in the 1950s and 1960s but has been revamped to bring a sleek feel to an outdoor design.
Outdoor kitchen designs that include seating areas work well with circular or square sofas so that guests can face each other during a conversation. Add a coffee table in the center of the seating space for drinks and food.
2. Pool House Kitchen Combo
One way to create and maximize backyard space is to combine your pool house with an outdoor kitchen. An open-air pool house gives you walls without sacrificing access to the outdoors.
Add a commercial-grade kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances, a vent hood, and first glass grill. The bar should face outdoor seating areas making it easy for guests to replenish drinks while visiting.
Boho chic lighting styles help you bring natural elements into outdoor kitchen designs without being too rustic. Think pennant lamps and a centered chandelier as task lighting over your cooking and food prep areas.
3. Swim Up Bar
Transform your backyard into a mini-resort by adding a swim-up bar to the poolside. Stock your bar with easy to manage beverages like bottled water and canned drinks.
When possible, choose plastic bottles over cans as these are safest to use near water. Colored lighting gives you control over the mood at night which is especially helpful during parties.
Have fun with the tiling along the bar to separate the walls and countertops from the style of the rest of the pool. Stools built into the pool floor provide a natural seating option for guests looking for a place to lounge.
4. Open-Air Pizzeria
Add elements of the Italian countryside to your backyard with a brick pizza oven. Pizza ovens are a great addition to a backyard because they provide ambiance and a practical cooking tool.
Outdoor pizza kitchens are fun for entertaining year-round especially if you have kids. Take the family outside beneath rows of globe string lights for a festive experience.
Custom picnic tables keep dinners informal without taking away from the theme.
5. Tiki Themed Kitchen
Bring home your Hawaiian vacation with a tiki-themed backyard. The key to making a tiki hut look classy in your backyard is keeping the design simple.
A grass rooftop over the bar and seating area are enough to drive the theme home. Create ‘walls’ on either side of the bar by adding cream-colored curtains.
Curtains should come with the option of being tied back or let loose for privacy. Lounge beds placed around the bar using the same curtain panel styles add to the tropical beach feel.
6. Rooftop Kitchen
Not every backyard kitchen has to happen on the ground floor. Use a rooftop terrace as an entertaining space by adding a kitchen.
The benefit of placing your outdoor entertaining space on the roof is that you can take advantage of great views. With a great view, the backdrop becomes the decor in the space allowing you to leave the kitchen minimal.
7. Incorporate Shiplap
Shiplap is a fun way to bring a coastal theme to your backyard. Shiplap is horizontal wooden planks used to create a rustic feel in a living space.
Using shiplap on the walls and floors of your outdoor kitchen can make the space look airy and modern. Use neutral color schemes to keep the outdoor kitchen space looking stylish.
Think navy blue and white to match a traditional coastal theme. Outdoor plants bring a natural element to the shiplap design style.
8. Fire Pit Table
Every backyard needs a centerpiece. The fire pit dining room table is a showstopping piece for your backyard.
In cooler climates, this fire pit table can double as a way to keep guests comfortable beyond the spring and summer months. Firepit tables come in styles ranging from stone to marble depending on the style of your outdoor space.
Contemporary tables feature crystals instead of coals for a modern look. Be sure to choose a style with a protective covering if you have children.
9. Full Cover Pergola
Pergolas are one of the most versatile elements in outdoor kitchen designs. They provide selective cover from the elements while providing you with a frame for hanging your favorite lighting.
When you entertain in the backyard, opt for paper lanterns to light your space. During the holidays, choose Christmas lights to bring your backyard color.
There are no limits to how you can decorate your pergola to add personality to your backyard. It’s a stylish touch when left unfinished or if you choose to have it painted to match the exterior of your home.
10. Outdoor Lodge
Bring an outdoor cabin theme to your backyard with a large stone fireplace. Earth tones and natural elements like wood bring together the feeling of being in a lodge.
Copper-colored grill and kitchen appliances complement the earth tones used in your outdoor living space. Think warm lighting from outdoor ceiling fans when designing your backyard.
This makes the outdoor lodge feeling like a cozy den where guests can relax by the fire.
Choosing Outdoor Kitchen Designs
Outdoor kitchen designs should complement the architecture and style of your home. Unless you want a whimsical looking outdoor space, it’s important to follow the color scheme of your home when choosing a theme for your backyard.
Starting with a neutral color palette is the safest bet because it will blend with the naturally occurring environment in the backyard. Neutrals are easy on the eyes making them a great choice for families looking to destress.
For more information on backyard kitchen design, check our blog for updates.
