Kitchen & Bathroom Design Blog

Here is a new blog post from a guest author contributing to
Lang’s Kitchen & Bath’s website.  We hope you find this topic helpful!

When the warmer months come, many people prefer to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Long walks in nature, garden parties, open-air cinemas, and, of course, outdoor cooking - those are the essentials of every sunny day. After all, what can be nicer than taking your family or your significant other out and dine in the sunset light?

If eating outdoors is an essential part of your summer routine, you may have already thought about building a patio kitchen. And even though hiring a contractor can be pretty pricey, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy an outdoor grill island. We’re here to help you, and we brought a bunch of fantastic DIY outdoor kitchen ideas. Cheap, comfortable, and well-designed, they are everything you need to stop dreaming and start acting.

An Outdoor Deck Kitchen

If you have a deck or want to make one, it can get extremely comfy when you build a kitchen into it. Just imagine a beautiful outdoor cooking space with a sitting area, where you can enjoy long warm evenings together with your friends. A wooden floor, comfy chairs with cozy pillows thrown onto them, dimmed outdoor lighting and candles - sounds amazing to us!

Helpful tips: Look for the built-in gas grills to make the exterior look neater and facilitate the cooking process. Make the stairs wider to open the space up and have more place for sitting and storing items. And consider getting a pergola - it really cozies everything up!

A Stone Covered Patio Kitchen

If you dream about a more durable outdoor kitchen, consider making a stone-covered patio kitchen. All you need is a stone-veneered plywood base, flanked by two cabinets (you can place a sink in one of them). It’s relatively easy to make yourself - just be careful when trimming the stones. And it won’t take much time - you can have an island built within a weekend, especially if a friend comes to help. Check a step-by-step instruction here.

Helpful tips: Consider making a stone countertop - concrete will probably be the cheapest. And place everything on a structurally sound patio so the water is not pooling around.

An Open-Air Kitchen Bar

If a kitchen is too much for you, think about making an outdoor bar. Easy to build, it doesn’t take much space and adds a relaxing Caribbean look to the garden. As your own oasis in a busy town, it will please all your friends and family - especially if somebody knows how to mix cocktails!

Helpful tips: Consider making an outdoor brick bar if you have the basic carpentry skills and much time - it will be durable and look fantastic. However, if you want to make something quicker, build a basic wooden frame and cover it with natural stone in beachy tones. A playful yet sophisticated look is what you’ll get.

A Backyard Kitchenette

If you have much space in the backyard, an outdoor kitchenette may be an excellent solution. It has more cabinet storage than a traditional open-air kitchen, and it can be a lot more comfortable. Add a bar on one side to provide additional sitting space or make (or purchase) a wide garden table, so your family can enjoy the summer evenings outside while dining.

Helpful tips: An enclosed kitchenette will look even more sophisticated and durable - you won’t have to look for the covers every time. Sliding double doors will add a chic component to your garden, highlighting the stylish design when the kitchenette is open.

A Grill Island

And by “island,” we don’t mean a classic outdoor cooking place, but a whole outbuilding. If you’re a fan of garden entertaining and have the time and space, you really should consider that! Just imagine combining it all: a kitchen, sitting and dining areas, and even a bar, if you wish. There’s much space, and everybody’s exceptionally comfortable, protected from the wind and sun. Just don’t forget to uncover the flanks to let the summer breeze in!

Helpful tips: Integrate outdoor pleasures with indoor comforts by adding a television, fireplace, and pendant lighting to your island. And make sure the place is durable, so you don’t have to repair and rebuild it every summer - otherwise, it will take a lot of time.

A Final Note

Warm summer evenings are the perfect time to meet with your friends and family. But whether you want to throw a garden party or have a quiet outdoor dinner, having an open-air kitchen is essential. Not only will it facilitate the cooking process, but it’ll also add a cozy vibe to your meeting. And if you don’t have one, it’s high time to build it!

Don’t worry - it doesn’t have to take much time. If you want something smaller, put an open-air kitchen bar in your garden, and enjoy the Caribbean-styled parties; or get an enclosed kitchenette to make your outdoor cooking elegant and efficient. And if you spend much time outside, consider a whole outbuilding - it will take much more time, but it will serve all your needs.

Whatever you choose to make, don’t forget to decorate it with flowers and outdoor lighting, and enjoy the comfort of eating outside. Invite your family to dinner - and have fun!