10 Small and Stylish Outdoor Kitchens
These clever outdoor cooking and dining set-ups from around the world maximise space without compromising on looks
If adding a new outdoor kitchen or revamping your current set-up is on your landscape-makeover wish list, take a look at these designs serving up fresh ideas for alfresco cooking. These 10 projects from around the globe also make the most of the moderately sized decks, balconies and backyards they occupy, from a barbecue that disappears behind a mini garage-style door to a model mounted on a deck railing.
2. Hidden away in Melbourne, Victoria
The ability to tuck a barbecue behind a tidy screen when not in use makes perfect sense. It not only creates a sleek aesthetic, but it also protects the barbecue from the elements.
It’s therefore no surprise that this clever design by Andrew Mitchell of Mr. Mitchell in Melbourne, Victoria – which features a barbecue that disappears behind a mini garage-style door – has been saved to over 190,000 Houzz ideabooks.
The ability to tuck a barbecue behind a tidy screen when not in use makes perfect sense. It not only creates a sleek aesthetic, but it also protects the barbecue from the elements.
It’s therefore no surprise that this clever design by Andrew Mitchell of Mr. Mitchell in Melbourne, Victoria – which features a barbecue that disappears behind a mini garage-style door – has been saved to over 190,000 Houzz ideabooks.
3. Stacked shelves in Des Moines, USA
Open timber shelving units flanking a barbecue make for smart, cost-effective outdoor kitchen storage. In this design by Holly DeGoey for a patio kitchen in Des Moines, USA, the designer used metal railings behind the barbecue and benchtops to double as hanging racks for copper mugs and kitchen tools.
Picture Perfect: 24 Enviable Outdoor Dining Areas Worldwide
Open timber shelving units flanking a barbecue make for smart, cost-effective outdoor kitchen storage. In this design by Holly DeGoey for a patio kitchen in Des Moines, USA, the designer used metal railings behind the barbecue and benchtops to double as hanging racks for copper mugs and kitchen tools.
Picture Perfect: 24 Enviable Outdoor Dining Areas Worldwide
4. Floating grill in Austin, USA
We’re used to seeing built-in barbecues and outdoor kitchens as bulky features within a backyard, but this creative design by Austin Outdoor Design in Austin, USA, is just the opposite. Set into a slim metal benchtop, a Big Green Egg grill appears to hover in mid-air, providing space for two metal bar stools to tuck away beneath it.
This innovative design would work well in many outdoor kitchens, especially tight spaces such as rooftops, balconies and small urban gardens, where every square metre of floor space counts.
We’re used to seeing built-in barbecues and outdoor kitchens as bulky features within a backyard, but this creative design by Austin Outdoor Design in Austin, USA, is just the opposite. Set into a slim metal benchtop, a Big Green Egg grill appears to hover in mid-air, providing space for two metal bar stools to tuck away beneath it.
This innovative design would work well in many outdoor kitchens, especially tight spaces such as rooftops, balconies and small urban gardens, where every square metre of floor space counts.
5. Minimalist in Toronto, Canada
Storage needs aside, a marble-like block with a built-in barbecue set against a dark screen is a chic look for a small-space outdoor kitchen. Dekton, a resilient engineered material made of glass, quartz and porcelain, covers the workspace’s benchtops and walls. This material is from the Aura Collection, designed to resemble Calacatta or Carrara marble.
The kitchen – designed by Eden Tree Design and built by Pro-Land Landscape Construction – occupies one side of a top deck outside a Toronto home and has easy access to the indoor kitchen, where all cutlery, plates, and cooking utensils would be stored. An outdoor dining table sits on a lower deck terrace, a few steps down from the barbecue.
Storage needs aside, a marble-like block with a built-in barbecue set against a dark screen is a chic look for a small-space outdoor kitchen. Dekton, a resilient engineered material made of glass, quartz and porcelain, covers the workspace’s benchtops and walls. This material is from the Aura Collection, designed to resemble Calacatta or Carrara marble.
The kitchen – designed by Eden Tree Design and built by Pro-Land Landscape Construction – occupies one side of a top deck outside a Toronto home and has easy access to the indoor kitchen, where all cutlery, plates, and cooking utensils would be stored. An outdoor dining table sits on a lower deck terrace, a few steps down from the barbecue.
6. Petite pizza oven in Sydney, NSW
If you’re tight on space but a pizza oven tops your outdoor-kitchen wish list, this sophisticated design by Harrison’s Landscaping for a home on Sydney harbour can serve as inspiration.
The moderately sized pizza oven nestles into a corner of a linear outdoor kitchen set-up atop heat-resistant concrete benchtops, hardly taking up more room than a standard-size barbecue.
If you’re tight on space but a pizza oven tops your outdoor-kitchen wish list, this sophisticated design by Harrison’s Landscaping for a home on Sydney harbour can serve as inspiration.
The moderately sized pizza oven nestles into a corner of a linear outdoor kitchen set-up atop heat-resistant concrete benchtops, hardly taking up more room than a standard-size barbecue.
7. Small-scale barbecue in Tucson, USA
Being realistic about how large an outdoor kitchen you really need – compared with other priorities – can help cut down on wasted space in a patio design.
For example, landscape designer Elizabeth Przygoda-Montgomery of Boxhill says her client for this Tucson, Arizona, project was clear that she didn’t want a bulky barbecue – just one large enough for grilling zucchini and portobello mushrooms. The space saved in the outdoor kitchen allowed more room for a spacious entertaining space and built-in fireplace.
Being realistic about how large an outdoor kitchen you really need – compared with other priorities – can help cut down on wasted space in a patio design.
For example, landscape designer Elizabeth Przygoda-Montgomery of Boxhill says her client for this Tucson, Arizona, project was clear that she didn’t want a bulky barbecue – just one large enough for grilling zucchini and portobello mushrooms. The space saved in the outdoor kitchen allowed more room for a spacious entertaining space and built-in fireplace.
8. Elevated in Austin, USA
Perched atop a deck railing with extended benchtops on either side, this gas-burning barbecue maintains a small footprint and offers the chef a prime view of the pool and valley below.
The outdoor kitchen, by Austin Outdoor Design, also features custom cabinetry with additional bench space set against the level change to an upper deck.
Outdoor Fix-Ups: Revitalising a Timber Deck
Perched atop a deck railing with extended benchtops on either side, this gas-burning barbecue maintains a small footprint and offers the chef a prime view of the pool and valley below.
The outdoor kitchen, by Austin Outdoor Design, also features custom cabinetry with additional bench space set against the level change to an upper deck.
Outdoor Fix-Ups: Revitalising a Timber Deck
9. Slope solution in San Francisco, USA
The landscape architects at Land Studio C capitalised on the existing slope of this San Francisco, USA, backyard to anchor a custom-designed outdoor kitchen equipped with a double barbecue. The outdoor kitchen layout – combined with bench seating built into the slope – helps maximise space in a long and narrow backyard.
The landscape architects at Land Studio C capitalised on the existing slope of this San Francisco, USA, backyard to anchor a custom-designed outdoor kitchen equipped with a double barbecue. The outdoor kitchen layout – combined with bench seating built into the slope – helps maximise space in a long and narrow backyard.
10. Double-sided in Washington, USA
An outdoor kitchen, complete with a barbecue, sink, fridge and storage space, backs up against a stone fireplace in this design by GardenWise for a home in Washington’s Capitol Hill neighbourhood in the USA.
On the opposite side of this kitchen, and up a few steps, the fireplace warms a covered seating area. The double-sided design makes the most of the hearth by using it both as a backdrop and as a functional feature.
Hot Spot: 10 Ways to Heat Up Your Outdoors
An outdoor kitchen, complete with a barbecue, sink, fridge and storage space, backs up against a stone fireplace in this design by GardenWise for a home in Washington’s Capitol Hill neighbourhood in the USA.
On the opposite side of this kitchen, and up a few steps, the fireplace warms a covered seating area. The double-sided design makes the most of the hearth by using it both as a backdrop and as a functional feature.
Hot Spot: 10 Ways to Heat Up Your Outdoors
Your turn
Is an outdoor kitchen on your wish list? Tell us your essential design elements in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Craving more design inspiration for your outdoor area? Read up on Everything You Need to Know About Garden Lighting
Is an outdoor kitchen on your wish list? Tell us your essential design elements in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Craving more design inspiration for your outdoor area? Read up on Everything You Need to Know About Garden Lighting
Storage is a top kitchen priority, whether it’s indoors or out. In this outdoor kitchen by Inspired Garden Design, wall-to-wall cabinets offer plenty of opportunity to stash plates, barbecuing utensils and even a bar fridge or other outdoor appliances.
Bringing the timber panelling used for the cabinets up above the barbecue creates visual consistency and helps define the kitchen space within the garden.
Find a kitchen designer and renovator near you on Houzz to create an outdoor kitchen