12 Inspiring Backyard Kitchens
Updated: Mar. 15, 2023Take your warm weather entertaining up a notch with a backyard kitchen. Check out these beauties and get started planning your dream backyard kitchen today!
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Hearth and Home
This backyard kitchen has a rustic feel with a brick wall and stained wood cabinets. But you’re hardly roughing it, considering this kitchen is outfitted with a dishwasher! The fireplace is a focal point and can be used for cooking and keeping the area warm when the temperature drops.
Low Profile
This backyard kitchen is tucked along a wall so it doesn’t take up a lot of valuable space. The window over the sink breaks up the long wall and allows you to keep an eye on what’s going on in the yard! Check out these 8 projects for having backyard fun, including a putting green!
Light and Bright
The choice of light-colored bricks makes this backyard kitchen appear less clunky than it would if darker bricks had been used. Laying the floor paver bricks diagonally to the kitchen gives the area a more casual feel, whereas if the pavers ran the same way as the bricks, it would’ve look stuffy. Learn how to build a beautiful brick pathway.
Impromptu Backyard Kitchen
Maybe you don’t have a lot of occasions when you’d want an outdoor kitchen, so why bother? One way to temporarily move food prep and cooking outside is to create a work surface (here it’s simply a board placed on top of a wood pile) and bring out your most-used cookware and utensils. When the party is over, pack up and head back inside. Do you like to keep things simple? Check out this simple, $50 workbench.
Beachy Vibe
This California outdoor kitchen features a chandelier for post-sunset dining and a heater lamp to chase away evening chills. Here’s a great tutorial on hanging a ceiling light fixture.
The Whole Package
This full feature kitchen with split-level bar is smartly located between the garden entrance and patio doors of the main house. It efficiently includes café seating, food prep area, large under mount sink/dishwasher, and an under counter refrigerator.
Photo: Surrounds Landscaping
All Decked Out
This backyard kitchen was built on an extensive deck that is also home to a hot tub!
Grillzebo
What’s a grillzebo? It’s a sheltered space, similar to a gazebo, designed for grilling. You’ll find complete, step-by-step plans for how to build your own grillzebo here!
Galley Kitchen
An old wooden boat is repurposed as outdoor shelves as part of an outdoor kitchen. There’s plenty of room for food prep or setting up a buffet and this setup can be used as a plant potting station, as well.
Photo: The Owner Builder Network
Movable Feast
If you want an outdoor kitchen that you can take with you when you move, RusticWoodWork will custom-build you a portable grill table with cabinets. These outdoor kitchens are made to order from Western red cedar, mahogany and white oak. If portability is important, check out these 14 amazing portable fire pits.
Photo: RusticWoodWorx
Seeking Shade
If you don’t have any shade in your yard, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a backyard kitchen. Multiple umbrellas keep the sun from beating down on guests seated along the countertop of this lovely kitchen. Look for umbrellas that can tilt and put them in portable stands so you can get the most out of them. Here are complete step-by-step plans for a great-looking DIY umbrella stand.
Photo: The Deck and Patio Company
Oval Oasis
This poolside backyard kitchen is perfectly designed for family gatherings and entertaining. It’s spacious and yet it doesn’t overtake the whole yard. One unique feature you don’t see often is the integrated umbrella stand.
Photo: The Deck and Patio Company
