1. Define Your Entertaining Needs & Must-Have Features

The first step in designing your ideal outdoor kitchen is to evaluate your outdoor entertaining goals honestly.

Consider these questions:

  • How many people do you want to entertain at once?

  • Do you need seating, and if so, for how many people?

  • Will you have plumbing, electrical, or gas lines run to the location?

Popular features to consider include:

  • Cooking: BBQ Grill, Smoker, Pizza Oven

  • Beverage Stations: Sink, Ice Bin, Cocktail Center

  • Cooling: Refrigerator, Kegerator

  • Convenience: Side Burner, Warming Drawer

  • Storage: Cabinets, Trash Drawer, or other options

2. Assess Your Space & Choose the Right Layout

Your outdoor kitchen should not only fit your entertainment style but also complement your backyard.

Key considerations when choosing a location:

  • Available space

  • Amount of sun and shade

  • Whether all your appliances will fit within the layout

  • Where plumbing, electrical, or gas lines can or cannot be installed

Understanding these factors will help shape your kitchen design and may even inspire new possibilities.

3. Select the Best Appliances for Your Needs

Once your general design is set, decide on the style and size of your appliances. This step allows for accurate measurements and helps finalize your kitchen layout. Keep in mind that grills, drawers, refrigerators, and other appliances vary in size depending on the manufacturer.

4. Create a Detailed Design Plan

Before construction begins, you’ll need a detailed design. At Creative Outdoor Kitchens, we guide you through a photo-realistic 3D design process. This allows you to view your proposed kitchen from all angles and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the finished project meets your expectations.

5. Determine Your Level of Involvement

Whether you’re a hands-on DIY enthusiast or prefer to leave the finishing touches to professionals, the choice is yours.

We offer a list of trusted local contractors for services like granite, masonry, electrical, plumbing, and concrete.

Click Here: For our Contractor List

Whatever your style, you can be as involved or hands-off as you like. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward your perfect outdoor kitchen!