Take It Outside: 20 Amazing Outdoor Kitchens
Eat al fresco every night of the week in these amazing outdoor cooking and dining spaces
T Stanley
11 July 2014
An exterior food prep and serving area could be just the trick to kick-starting your backyard makeover. The temperate Australian climate allows for plenty of outdoor dining and entertaining options almost year-round. These clever designs incorporate aesthetically pleasing and practical elements that are sure to inspire a dream outdoor kitchen for your own garden space, style and budget.
1. Playful pavillion
This leafy Sydney pavilion kitchen boasts a teppanyaki barbecue, pizza oven and custom made glass-front bar fridges built in to the cabinetry. A unique cantilevered dining table has been incorporated into the kitchen bench. It extends out towards the buffalo lawn to ensure the connection between cook and guest is maintained. A stained cedar soffit completes the look.
This leafy Sydney pavilion kitchen boasts a teppanyaki barbecue, pizza oven and custom made glass-front bar fridges built in to the cabinetry. A unique cantilevered dining table has been incorporated into the kitchen bench. It extends out towards the buffalo lawn to ensure the connection between cook and guest is maintained. A stained cedar soffit completes the look.
2. Sunny appeal
A pool and patio in a St Louis, Missouri, backyard needed one last thing: an outdoor kitchen. Flagstone and granite encase a grill, smoker, sink, refrigerator, rubbish bins and a built-in ice chest. Bench seating on the other side of the bar allows a large group to cook, drink and relax at the same time.
A pool and patio in a St Louis, Missouri, backyard needed one last thing: an outdoor kitchen. Flagstone and granite encase a grill, smoker, sink, refrigerator, rubbish bins and a built-in ice chest. Bench seating on the other side of the bar allows a large group to cook, drink and relax at the same time.
3. Easy breezy
This Miami, Florida, patio kitchenette leads straight out to a pool and spa and takes in glorious coastal views via pocket sliding glass doors. It has custom painted and glazed recessed wood panel cabinetry with applied moulding. A subtle mosaic tile feature wall ties it in with the colour of the pool and ocean.
This Miami, Florida, patio kitchenette leads straight out to a pool and spa and takes in glorious coastal views via pocket sliding glass doors. It has custom painted and glazed recessed wood panel cabinetry with applied moulding. A subtle mosaic tile feature wall ties it in with the colour of the pool and ocean.
4. Bold and oh-so beautiful
One of the key features of this Melbourne stand-alone sheltered kitchen is its adaptability. The design lends itself to serving crowds at the bar when entertaining as much as it does to serving the family a hot meal when the evenings are cooler.
One of the key features of this Melbourne stand-alone sheltered kitchen is its adaptability. The design lends itself to serving crowds at the bar when entertaining as much as it does to serving the family a hot meal when the evenings are cooler.
5. A stylish split
This award-winning Aussie design has the food prep areas surrounding the pool on staggered levels. At the forefront we see the bar fridge and sink with a handy flexible tap while a nifty built-in nook behind it stores drinks on ice, while at the rear we see a cooktop on the elongated bench with backless stools for guests to perch on.
This award-winning Aussie design has the food prep areas surrounding the pool on staggered levels. At the forefront we see the bar fridge and sink with a handy flexible tap while a nifty built-in nook behind it stores drinks on ice, while at the rear we see a cooktop on the elongated bench with backless stools for guests to perch on.
6. Year-round opportunities
This Melbourne space features custom-designed cabinetry made to fit the bar fridge and barbecue. The benchtop is polished granite and the cabinets were finished in Laminex for durability. The roof closes during rain with an electric louvre system. Natural charcoal granite pavers form an earthy base and merbau timber was used as vertical cladding on the boundary screen.
This Melbourne space features custom-designed cabinetry made to fit the bar fridge and barbecue. The benchtop is polished granite and the cabinets were finished in Laminex for durability. The roof closes during rain with an electric louvre system. Natural charcoal granite pavers form an earthy base and merbau timber was used as vertical cladding on the boundary screen.
7. Fully equipped
A covered pavilion with a fully equipped kitchen including a sink, fridge and wood-fire pizza oven takes advantage of the view at this Sydney residence. Designed for versatility and entertainment, it also includes a ceiling fan for comfort on hot summer days, a large dining area, sunken spa and wall-mounted TV.
A covered pavilion with a fully equipped kitchen including a sink, fridge and wood-fire pizza oven takes advantage of the view at this Sydney residence. Designed for versatility and entertainment, it also includes a ceiling fan for comfort on hot summer days, a large dining area, sunken spa and wall-mounted TV.
8. Convenience and comfort
This practical and stylish outdoor living space features a corner kitchen with an integrated benchtop and table design, two built-in glass front bar fridges, plenty of drawers and a range hood. It’s all with arm’s reach of the semi-protected living space with a fireplace.
This practical and stylish outdoor living space features a corner kitchen with an integrated benchtop and table design, two built-in glass front bar fridges, plenty of drawers and a range hood. It’s all with arm’s reach of the semi-protected living space with a fireplace.
9. Everything in one spot
With the brief calling for a strong connection to the outdoors it was imperative that this Sydney patio became a complete living area that could be enjoyed all year round. By taking the elements that traditionally make the interior of a home its social hub – cooking and dining facilities, a bar, comfy furniture – and replicating them outside it meant there is no need to ever head indoors.
With the brief calling for a strong connection to the outdoors it was imperative that this Sydney patio became a complete living area that could be enjoyed all year round. By taking the elements that traditionally make the interior of a home its social hub – cooking and dining facilities, a bar, comfy furniture – and replicating them outside it meant there is no need to ever head indoors.
10. Room to party
Take your pick from a barbecue or a wood-fire pizza at this Perth backyard. A collapsible umbrella offers shade for the cook or bartender when required and guests can perch on stools at the bar, sit at the dining table or relax on timber benches in this versatile space.
Take your pick from a barbecue or a wood-fire pizza at this Perth backyard. A collapsible umbrella offers shade for the cook or bartender when required and guests can perch on stools at the bar, sit at the dining table or relax on timber benches in this versatile space.
11. Magnificent yet modest
The cupboards in this Melbourne exterior kitchenette are made of recycled Tigerwood flooring. The patio floor is an unsealed limestone tile that flows from inside and was acid washed to become non-slip.
Learn more about this home here
The cupboards in this Melbourne exterior kitchenette are made of recycled Tigerwood flooring. The patio floor is an unsealed limestone tile that flows from inside and was acid washed to become non-slip.
Learn more about this home here
12. Just the basics
Small outdoor spaces can house a galley-style outdoor kitchen such as this understated Melbourne one. The Laminex benchtop surface with a subtle shimmer effect is weather resistant.
Small outdoor spaces can house a galley-style outdoor kitchen such as this understated Melbourne one. The Laminex benchtop surface with a subtle shimmer effect is weather resistant.
13. Stylish service
The bottom rail of this home’s kitchen window sits at benchtop height so the counters on either side butt into the window trim, sealing it against the elements. It’s a great idea for a budget kitchenette in a small outdoor space.
Find more fun ways to upgrade your outdoor cooking area here
The bottom rail of this home’s kitchen window sits at benchtop height so the counters on either side butt into the window trim, sealing it against the elements. It’s a great idea for a budget kitchenette in a small outdoor space.
Find more fun ways to upgrade your outdoor cooking area here
14. Enclosed elegance
A well-protected outdoor kitchen and dining area at this Sydney abode caters for family meals and entertaining no matter the weather, and a skylight keeps the space bright and airy on fine days. A space-saving in-built barbecue/cooktop sits below the range hood.
A well-protected outdoor kitchen and dining area at this Sydney abode caters for family meals and entertaining no matter the weather, and a skylight keeps the space bright and airy on fine days. A space-saving in-built barbecue/cooktop sits below the range hood.
15. Dark beauty
Even a small outdoor kitchen can maximise opportunities to spend time in the garden. Not only does this Sydney kitchenette hold a wood-fire pizza oven, barbecue grill and sink, but it features a hand-cut and polished bluestone splashback and benchtop. The cupboard doors are made of cedar, stained to complement the decking.
Even a small outdoor kitchen can maximise opportunities to spend time in the garden. Not only does this Sydney kitchenette hold a wood-fire pizza oven, barbecue grill and sink, but it features a hand-cut and polished bluestone splashback and benchtop. The cupboard doors are made of cedar, stained to complement the decking.
16. Bushland retreat
The Aussie bush surrounds of this property provide a natural backdrop to the large contemporary pavilion which houses all the necessities for entertaining outdoors including a full outdoor kitchen complete with fridge, sink and teppanyaki hotplate.
The Aussie bush surrounds of this property provide a natural backdrop to the large contemporary pavilion which houses all the necessities for entertaining outdoors including a full outdoor kitchen complete with fridge, sink and teppanyaki hotplate.
17. Fun in the sun
This corner set-up shows an appreciation of vibrant colour and an outdoorsy lifestyle with its use of red and orange subway tile, blue textured tile splashback and decorative vases. It’s a budget-friendly design with a DIY feel.
View more of this property here
This corner set-up shows an appreciation of vibrant colour and an outdoorsy lifestyle with its use of red and orange subway tile, blue textured tile splashback and decorative vases. It’s a budget-friendly design with a DIY feel.
View more of this property here
18. Small space, big opportunities
Mixed use of exterior colour and texture established a comfortable relaxed environment in this home’s cosy outdoor kitchen area which was created to work with the existing architecture of the residence.
Mixed use of exterior colour and texture established a comfortable relaxed environment in this home’s cosy outdoor kitchen area which was created to work with the existing architecture of the residence.
19. Cool as a cucumber
The back deck of this Sydney home is an outdoor kitchen/dining area with a high awning roof which is freestanding to allow hot summer air to escape. The architect designed the bench to extend artfully onto the deck. A NanaWall sliding window system allows the interior to be partially or fully opened up to the elements.
Take a tour of this home here
The back deck of this Sydney home is an outdoor kitchen/dining area with a high awning roof which is freestanding to allow hot summer air to escape. The architect designed the bench to extend artfully onto the deck. A NanaWall sliding window system allows the interior to be partially or fully opened up to the elements.
Take a tour of this home here
20. Entertainer’s delight
This outdoor pavilion kitchen was designed as part of a larger cooking, entertaining and recreational retreat. The stone is a precast concrete veneer.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
Tell us about your outdoor kitchen’s design and upload a high-resolution photo of it in the comments section below.
This outdoor pavilion kitchen was designed as part of a larger cooking, entertaining and recreational retreat. The stone is a precast concrete veneer.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
Tell us about your outdoor kitchen’s design and upload a high-resolution photo of it in the comments section below.
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Sharing a recent project of ours. Love the diversity of design in these Outdoor Kitchens. Just goes to show what you can achieve, even in smaller spaces.
More here