Gone are the days when a simple barbecue unit signalled the height of outdoor dining luxury. Peek into stylish gardens, browse magazines or scroll online retailers nowadays, and you’ll spot a whole range of sleek outdoor kitchens - entire fitted suites with built-in fridges, sinks, lighting, storage and, of course, the trusty barbecue – or, more likely, a temperature-controlled grill.
Research shows the outdoor kitchen market is now worth around £15 billion worldwide; a figure expected to double over the next five years. Garden designer Pollyanna Wilkinson says outdoor kitchens have become one of the most popular requests she gets from clients planning their gardens – and Home of Huckleberry, the garden kitchen brand she enlisted to install her very own garden kitchen, has seen a huge rise in interest for their designs too.
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Why are outdoor kitchens trending?
Experts believe the rise of the outdoor kitchen is down to people spending more time at home post-Covid, with many keen to get more from their outdoor space, and putting more thought into their garden design and socialising areas.
“We’ve noticed that people just want to be outside more and extend the season,” says Claire Podesta, co-founder of Huckleberry. “So whereas people may have expected to barbecue only in the summer, now they are looking to start entertaining outdoors at Easter and still be barbecuing in October.”
Install an outdoor kitchen and you’ll save time dashing in and out of the kitchen when friends and family gather outside, with the opportunity to prepare food closer to your guests. Plus, it’ll add a stylish extra element to your garden, boosting its appeal and possibly even your property value. According to Claire, homeowners are even asking for garden buildings designed to match their outdoor kitchens.
As outdoor kitchens have become more popular, there’s now plenty of choice when it comes to design. You could opt for something compact to house an egg-style barbecue and a few tools, or go all-out with sleek, built-in units including a fridge and sink, and space for a pizza oven too. Today, there are designs to suit almost any requirement.
10 top tips for designing your outdoor kitchen
Get the appliances right
Start by thinking about how you like to cook, says Simon Hawkins of The Outdoor Kitchen Collective (TOK_C). “Are you a charcoal or wood enthusiast, or do you prefer the convenience and speed of gas?”
“Asado grills, Krono grills, Kamado ovens and gas grills are becoming more prevalent,” says Claire from Huckleberry. “Some of the newer pieces of kit are amazing.” So it’s worth considering new and exciting options too.
For anyone who appreciates having a little extra control over their cooking, there’s the option to use smart tech. Smart devices and voice-control features now appear in 29% of new outdoor kitchens, with additions like Wi-Fi-connected grills, app-controlled pizza ovens and integrated lighting systems leading the way.
Also think about how to make your grill work hard for you. “By including stone fireplaces with open Argentinian style grills it keeps everyone toasty on a cooler day or evening,” so it has a dual purpose, says Claire, working as both a grill and a fireplace.
Find the right location
“Installing an outdoor kitchen is so much more than just figuring out appliances,” says interior designer Abigail Ahern. “It's all about mood and flow, so always think of placing your kitchen where cooking feels natural. Consider wind patterns, and light and shade.”
“If you are investing in an outdoor kitchen, you want to ensure you are making it as encouraging to use as possible, so positioning is key – it needs to be convenient and practical,” explains David Milloy of Abbey Garden Landscaping, who recently installed a sophisticated outdoor kitchen with dark slate worktops, stainless steel cupboards and built-in ovens within a curved brick seating area, as part of a Jo Thompson-designed garden in Kent.
If it’s not convenient, and it’s far from the house, up a large flight of steps or behind obstacles, for example, using it will become a chore, and take away from the outdoor cooking experience.
Plan in services
If your outdoor kitchen includes electrical grills, lights or fridges, or a sink, you’ll need to think about how you’ll connect them up to the mains electricity and water supply, explains Simon from The Outdoor Kitchen Collective. This factor could be another reason to consider keeping your outdoor kitchen close to the house.
Create a sociable space
David designs cooking areas allowing the chef to face their guests. “Don’t hide or face the kitchen away from the main entertaining area. It should be part of the social experience,” he says.
Consider how many people you'll be catering for
The first question to ask is how many people you want to cook for, recommends Simon. “Build the kitchen for this number plus a few more – worktop space is key.
“It’s amazing how much space you need for a BBQ event and there’s no point going to all the effort and expense of building something that looks great but still needs you to get an old table out of the garage to fit everything onto.”
Consider the workflow
It’s worth thinking about zoning and workflow as you plan your outdoor kitchen, says bespoke, Essex-based kitchen makers Humphrey Munson. “Just like an indoor kitchen, these spaces can get busy very quickly; with food on the grill, dishes to be washed and the inevitable clean-up that follows. Creating an organised and well-planned layout is key.”
Humphrey Munson recommends a few must-haves: “Practical details such as integrated bins positioned for easy prep, drawers for utensils close to the main cooking run and fridges or fridge drawers placed away from high-traffic areas can make all the difference to how the space functions when you’re entertaining al fresco.”
Choose the right materials
“Think materials, not just looks – weather-resistant materials like concrete are great, and so is sealed stone or teak,” reveals Abigail Ahern.
According to Simon, many people don’t realise how much it costs to get an outdoor kitchen right. “Buy once, buy right,” he says. “All too often we come across customers who put their trust in supposedly well-known brands only to be left with products that deteriorate badly. It might cost a bit more but choose the right materials that will last, require little to no maintenance and look the same year after year.”
Match your interior style
“I wanted my outdoor kitchen area to feel like an extension of my indoor kitchen,” interior designer Abigail reveals, “so I accessorised it with large chopping boards, lighting and botanicals, and planted around it so it feels lush and magical as opposed to just standing on its own in the garden.
“Choose tones and forms that echo with your home's architecture too,” she recommends. “Cohesion is super important. I think when you do all that, you will extend your living circles into the cooler months. We cook outside all year round, even at Christmas!”
Don’t forget safety
It may not be as exciting as planning the style and design, but considering safety is crucial for outdoor kitchens – especially when there may be overhanging trees, leafy plants, combustible log piles or inquisitive children and pets nearby.
Simon recommends getting professional advice in the planning stages. “The specification sheets for all the appliances that are on the market are a minefield of specific information and requirements – consult an expert to guide you through these regulations and avoid issues down the line.”
Water run-off is another element to consider. “Most, if not all gardens and patios slope to allow for water run-off – make sure you plan for this; ideally in advance of any paving being laid so that the slopes can be built to run in the right direction. The wrong decision can result in some very ugly installations and odd-looking set-ups,” Simon explains.
Remember access
It’s easy to overlook the actual set-up process, but you’ll need to make sure any gates or access points are large enough for the installation team to deliver and put together your new kitchen. As Simon points out, “there’s no point purchasing anything if you can’t actually get it into the garden”.
Looking for outdoor kitchen inspiration? See our favourite outdoor kitchens you can order online.
