Outdoor kitchen ideas to inspire your garden makeover
Posted on 27th May 2025
What does your ideal outdoor kitchen look like? Mine has a spacious food preparation area with ample worktop space, storage drawers for everything from utensils to various trays and bowls, a decked-out grilling station, and an adjoining drinks and dining zone… One can dream.
Whether you’re looking to spruce up your existing outdoor kitchen or want to build one from scratch this summer, we’ve gathered some of our favourite ideas, from big to small, to help show you what’s possible and give you a boost of creativity.
But first, if you don’t really know where to start designing your outdoor kitchen, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with our handy guide complete with key considerations and practicalities. Click here to browse. Reaching out to professionals for help with design, plumbing, and electrics is always advisable to guarantee the success of your project.
Now, are you ready to get inspired? Read on to discover stunning design ideas and expert tips…
When looking at your outdoor kitchen materials, opt for porcelain, stone, aluminium, or granite, which are durable and will last for years to come. 410 Aluminous (Porcelain collection), Caesarstone.
Inspiration gallery
Do you love entertaining and have ample space in your garden? Why not go all out with a large outdoor kitchen setup, complete with a dining area. Grillo outdoor kitchen, with Luna DesignBoard composite decking and Florence Grey porcelain paving from London Stone, in a design by Simon Orchard Garden Design, built by Graduate LandscapesTurn your garden into a social zone this summer with a pretty and practical kitchen setup. Röshults Open Kitchen in stainless steel, available from Kitchen Architecture.Small garden or patio? No problem! Make the most of every inch with an all-in-one solution like the Long Island BBQ and integrated storage cabinet, 6 Burner, £3750, Cox & Cox.Add a touch of luxury to your outdoor kitchen with statement, opulent surfaces. Calafata Macchia Vecchia Marble, from £210 per sq m, Cullifords.An L-shaped layout is ideal for a social setup. Guests can perch on bar stools while the chef is busy grilling. EO Chroma outdoor kitchen in Silk Grey with Keon Dekton worktops, and appliances including a Napoleon barbecue and Big Green Egg. Ensure you check outdoor appliances, work surfaces, and seating off your list for a functional outdoor kitchen. Dekton Ukiyo in Bromo, from £400 per sq m, Cosentino.If you want to include a sink in your outdoor setup, make sure to check you have access to plumbing. Solid oak garden kitchen with Dekton worktop, from £17,995, with a solid oak Kilifi table and benches, Huckleberry.Pergolas are ideal for protecting your kitchen setup from unpredictable weather (we all know how British summers can be) as well as creating a sleek indoor-outdoor feel. Project by The Vawdrey House. Photography: Siobhan Doran.From customising units to exact measurements to mixing and matching an array of appliances, although a bespoke design usually comes with a higher price tag, it is the way to go in order to optimise every inch of space and bring your dream vision to life. Kitchen by Oxenwood.Add colour and charm to your outdoor kitchen with soft furnishings. Think waterproof patterned rugs, plush cushions, and decorative garlands. Reversible Paisley outdoor rug, £40, Talking Tables.If you love hosting, add a bar zone within your setup to cool off with icy drinks on balmy days. Savannah outdoor kitchen bar set with BBQ, pergola and back panel, £2399, Atkin and Thyme. Don’t overlook electricity, which, beyond appliances like drink fridges, is also needed for lighting or heating. Blenheim single-wall outdoor kitchen, £6250, with Luxe Electric retract pergola, from £5500, Suns Lifestyle.Achieve a tranquil, holiday-inspired design with an earthy colour palette, neutral, tactile work surfaces, and natural materials. La cocina de Gabi project from Gabriela López featuring Phedra surfaces by Neolith.An outdoor kitchen is not complete without a lounge area, be it a small modular solution or a grand seating arrangement. Design by Stevens Design in collaboration with KönigOutdoor.
