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Designing the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen: Tips for Homeowners

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January 20, 2025

An outdoor kitchen isn’t just a luxury—it’s a smart way to expand your living space and turn your backyard into a hub for entertainment and relaxation.

With the right design and features, an outdoor kitchen can make cooking more enjoyable, hosting more convenient, and outdoor living more stylish.

At Salas Outdoors, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional outdoor kitchens tailored to your home and lifestyle. In this guide, we’ll share expert tips on how to design the perfect outdoor kitchen—so you can cook, gather, and relax in your dream backyard space.

1. Choose the Right Location

The location of your outdoor kitchen will determine its flow, convenience, and functionality.

Ask yourself:

  • Is it close enough to your indoor kitchen for easy access?
  • Does it allow room for seating and movement?
  • Is there shade or coverage to protect it from weather?
  • Is it away from play areas or highly trafficked zones?

We help homeowners select the ideal layout for their yard, whether it’s a built-in island near the patio or a freestanding structure with overhead cover.

2. Focus on Functional Layout

Your kitchen should be more than just good-looking—it should be efficient and enjoyable to use.

Use the classic kitchen zones as a guide:

  • Prep Zone: Counter space for slicing, marinating, and organizing.
  • Cooking Zone: Grill, smoker, stove, or pizza oven.
  • Serving Zone: Open space or countertop for plating and passing food.
  • Cleanup Zone: Sink and trash area.

We often recommend an L-shaped or U-shaped design to keep everything within reach while maintaining enough space for movement and guests.

3. Invest in Durable, Outdoor-Grade Materials

Outdoor kitchens must withstand sun, rain, temperature swings, and more. Choose materials built to last outdoors.

Ideal materials:

  • Countertops: Granite, concrete, or stainless steel
  • Cabinets: Powder-coated stainless steel or stone veneer
  • Flooring: Pavers, tile, or natural stone
  • Appliances: Outdoor-rated and weather-resistant

Salas Outdoors only uses top-quality, weather-resistant materials to ensure your kitchen looks great for years to come.

4. Include Must-Have Appliances

An outdoor kitchen should be fully functional—and that goes beyond just a grill.

Must-have outdoor kitchen features:

  • High-quality grill or built-in BBQ
  • Outdoor-rated refrigerator
  • Sink with plumbing
  • Prep counter space
  • Storage cabinets or drawers
  • Trash pull-out
  • Optional: pizza oven, beverage cooler, warming drawer, or smoker

We help homeowners select the appliances that match how they plan to cook and entertain.

5. Plan for Lighting and Power

Don’t forget lighting and electricity—they’re essential for safety, function, and ambiance.

Lighting tips:

  • Task lighting for cooking areas
  • Ambient lighting like string lights or sconces
  • Accent lighting under countertops or around walkways

We can install proper GFCI outlets, run electrical safely, and help integrate smart lighting solutions.

6. Add Shelter for All-Weather Use

To make the most of your outdoor kitchen year-round, consider adding a cover or pergola.

Benefits of adding shelter:

  • Protects you and your appliances from the elements
  • Keeps the area cooler in summer and usable in rainy weather
  • Adds visual appeal and defines the space

From custom pergolas to attached roof extensions, Salas Outdoors can design shelter solutions that blend seamlessly with your home.

7. Don’t Forget the Seating

A great outdoor kitchen needs a place for people to gather and enjoy the food.

Popular seating layouts:

  • Bar-style seating at a countertop
  • Dining table with chairs nearby
  • Lounge area with fire pit and furniture

We design multi-functional layouts that combine cooking, dining, and relaxing in one cohesive space.

8. Keep It Cohesive With Your Home’s Style

Your outdoor kitchen should feel like a natural extension of your home, not an afterthought.

Salas Outdoors will match the design, color palette, and materials of your outdoor kitchen to your house’s architecture and landscape, creating a polished, high-end look.

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Designing the perfect outdoor kitchen is all about balance—between beauty and function, durability and style. With the right layout, materials, appliances, and finishing touches, your backyard can become a true extension of your living space.

At Salas Outdoors, we handle everything from concept to completion, creating custom outdoor kitchens that match your vision and elevate your outdoor lifestyle.

Ready to get started? Contact us today and let’s bring your outdoor cooking dreams to life.

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