Exciting Outdoor Kitchen Design Ideas

Throughout the depths of the pandemic, there was a tremendous home renovation boom. Whether it was homeowners who were bored, looking to discover a new DIY project, or something more life-changing like hiring a contractor to install an outdoor kitchen, lots of home renovation started happening. Outdoor kitchens saw a significant construction increase throughout the pandemic and have flourished since. 

Historically, outdoor kitchens have not been the most common features in homes, especially in four-season states. Living in the North East, I will tell you that only a few of my clients had outdoor kitchens. No, the typical setup on the east coast is a grill with an outdoor patio, most likely with weatherproof furniture meant to be stored in the off-season. But now, we live in different times, and homeowners are looking for new ways to expand and improve every nook-and-cranny of their home areas, inside and out. 

Outdoor Kitchens – What Defines Them?

Clients contacted me in the post-pandemic era, asking about colors and design color palettes concerning their new permanent outdoor spaces. For those unaware, outdoor kitchens are much more than a Weber grill and a few beach chairs! A complete outdoor kitchen could have multiple cooktops, running water, prep stations, multiple sinks, an oven, and possibly an outdoor TV! Some of these outdoor kitchens have more amenities than indoor kitchens!

Contractors usually build a complete outdoor kitchen onto an intersection of two walls on a home’s exterior, typically covered by a patio overhang. If not built into the exterior walls, an outdoor kitchen can sit independently from the house, usually around a large pool patio; this design is more common in dry regions of the country.  

It’s not surprising to see why outdoor kitchens became a popular trend throughout the pandemic; they’re the perfect way to host a get-together while being safely distanced outside, not to mention enjoying the beautiful weather. What started as a concept of creating an outdoor “room” out of necessity, and felt like an incredible luxury, has worked its way into popular home design!

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Outdoor Kitchen Design Ideas – What Can Be Done?

Whether you’ve installed an outdoor kitchen or plan to do so in the future, it’s time to make it your own! What do I mean by that? Well, when the kitchens are installed, function tends to come before personality, so there’s plenty of opportunity to inject your design tastes and color desires.

• Don’t Forget the Colors

When contractors design these kitchens, colors are usually not at the top of their minds, and unlike the rest of the home, there aren’t constant eyes on the space. Color palettes and design alternatives can be forgotten in outdoor kitchen spaces, but this is a mistake; as a color specialist, colorless spaces without intent I see as an incredible missed opportunity to do something great!

Typically, an outdoor kitchen will be built onto a cement patio, which provides the opportunity to create some fantastic contrasts between the kitchen cabinetry, appliances, and seating furniture with the cement’s neutral, gray base color. For example, if an outdoor kitchen were built onto an east coast seaside home, I would employ cape cod house colors like royal sea blues, sail loft whites, or even cranberry red paint colors onto the cabinetry to reinforce the classic nautical colors theme. These colors juxtaposed with the cement patio will create a defined and clean look without being bland to the eyes. 

• Create Some Dynamics

One of the inherent design features of outdoor kitchens is various materials and surface patterns at work. What do I mean by this? Think about all the different material elements used to equip an outdoor kitchen. The appliances, such as the grill, wood-fired pizza oven, and built-in sinks, will most likely be a matted-metal surface like aluminum or stainless steel. There may also be exposed brick from the home’s exterior or outdoor fireplace. Various wood species could also be scattered throughout, from cutting boards to the dining table. And, of course, concrete is likely exposed as well. You should highlight/expose these surfaces against each other because it creates a more dynamic and interesting design layout. Applying contrast between your colors adds visual interest, making the difference between a flat design and a more dynamic one! 

• Make It Yours

When a new area is built-out in a pre-existing home/structure, people tend to be wary/cautious about making any design changes; they’re afraid to add personality to it because it’s so fresh and new. Let me be the first to say, heck with that! 

Don’t consider your outdoor kitchen a carbon copy of your indoor kitchen’s layout. Your outdoor kitchen doesn’t need to be designed to match a traditional American kitchen; why not pretend your backyard is in Naples or Sicily? You can get a portable pizza oven or even install a real brick pizza oven; it doesn’t need to be a “burgers and dogs only” backyard!

The real loss is not expressing yourself and making your outdoor kitchen look like it’s yours! Rather than adding your outdoor kitchen onto the traditional cement or stone patio, try colorful tile to set the stage! If you want to add some floral presence, by all means, add a built-in garden or arrange potted plants at each corner of the overhang. If you’d like to add a splash of an accent color, please, hang that colorful retro clock or period piece above the countertops. Get those sea-foam green shay lounges. Use that reclaimed wood as a backsplash surface. Do you! Don’t get stuck with cookie-cutter design elements; make the space your own. 

• The Personal Touches

Not every adjustment needs to be a large/labor-intensive project. You can add your personal touches here and there to your outdoor kitchen without the need to give the contractor another call. 

Think about some color themes you’d like to use in your outdoor space! Why not arrange some dishware that compliments or matches your cooking apron? Imagine your family all wearing bright red aprons; it sets the stage for a fun event! Sounds like a lovely afternoon to me!

Or, feel like opting for something more “earthy” or “woodsy”? Consider sourcing some natural stone dishware, such as slate plates, serving dishes, or charcuterie boards. Place reused wooden boxes on top of your countertops, creating makeshift vases that look elegant, natural, and understated. 

Outdoor Kitchen Design Ideas – Never Pass Up A Good Thing

Nothing is more upsetting to a designer than seeing an opportunity go to waste. Just because an area is utility-first doesn’t mean it cannot express your design tastes as a homeowner. 

If you’re considering installing an outdoor kitchen or updating the styling of your current outdoor space, check out my helpful, Color911 color app! You can browse various curated color themes or create your own color palette from your favorite pictures or images that inspire you right on your phone! 

Please share your thoughts regarding outdoor kitchens; I always love hearing from you.