Outdoor Kitchen Ideas | DIY Outdoor Kitchen

As the latest trend in at-home entertaining, an outdoor kitchen will create a space for you to enjoy garden cooking, dining and socialising all year round. Whether you have a large garden or a smaller patio, we have a wide range of outdoor kitchen ideas to suit your needs, budget and available space.

Get ready to take your al-fresco dining to the next level.

Before you start, stay safe and be smart

Creating your own outdoor kitchen may require product assembly and the use of power tools. Read our DIY Safety Tips, along with your tool manuals, to keep everyone safe.

Location and size

First, decide where you want your outdoor kitchen to be and how much space you want to dedicate to it.

If possible, your outdoor kitchen should be an extension of and near to your indoor kitchen. By connecting your indoor space to the garden with a similar colour theme and glass doors, you can create a cohesive, open-plan area.

Draw up a plan that gives you enough prep and cooking space. If you’re restricted on square footage, opt for a U-shaped, integrated design – or, fit your garden kitchen along just one wall.

Don’t forget to also take into consideration where the best views are in your garden and where the sun sets.

Top tip: If possible, locate your outdoor kitchen in an area that is sheltered from the wind and not fully exposed to sunlight.

Zoning

Section off your outdoor kitchen to distinguish it as a more functional working space from the rest of your garden.

One way you can do this is by building your outdoor kitchen on a decking area. If you’re unsure how to plan and lay decking, check out this handy guide.

An alternative outdoor kitchen idea is to lay outdoor tiles on top of some free grass space and secure wall tiles or self-adhesive tiles to a plasterboard border to create a striking backdrop for your garden kitchen.

Top tip: If you are locating it next to your interior kitchen, use similar outdoor tiles for a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors. Discover more DIY outdoor tiling ideas to get you started.

Covered outdoor kitchen ideas

You’ll need plenty of shelter and storage options for your outdoor kitchen.

Whether it’s a pergola, awning or garden screening, think about adding some shelter for shade and privacy.

If this isn’t possible in the space you have, don’t worry. Other outdoor kitchen ideas include using a storage trolley, so you can easily wheel out all the ingredients you need for your al-fresco cooking session. A wine rack is also a good idea to store beverages and soft drinks, or you could fill a garden planter with ice to create your own DIY drinks cooler.

British weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to protect your outdoor kitchen from the elements. Explore our range of exterior woodcare to prevent decay and keep your kitchen in the best condition.

Cooking appliances

Of course, you can’t forget the showstopper of your garden kitchen – the cooking appliances.

A BBQ is a must-have for any outdoor kitchen. If you’re stuck deciding which one to choose, check out our BBQ buying guide for a little inspiration.

Also, make sure you’ve got all the BBQ accessories you need, so you don’t have to keep dashing inside! To ensure your food stays fresh for longer, explore our range of food storage options.

Your outdoor kitchen doesn’t need to be grand or expensive to make an impact. If you’re looking for outdoor kitchen ideas on a budget, you can’t go wrong with a simple charcoal BBQ. They’re easy to light, move around and store away. Alternatively, you can follow our handy guide on how to build a BBQ yourself using bricks.

For those spur-of-the-moment summer feasts, a trusty portable BBQ is the perfect solution.

Consider using a chimenea for more of a rustic outdoor kitchen aesthetic, helping you to cook up a storm while also providing a source of heat to toast some tasty treats.

Top tip: If you want to take your garden kitchen to the next level, installing a sink outside will help make hosting BBQs even easier.

Seating area

Set up a bar area close to your outdoor kitchen to create a relaxing space for friends and family to socialise. Alternatively, you could have your garden kitchen in the same location as your outdoor dining area – you’ll just need to think about how to keep the smoke from the BBQ at bay.

Dress up your outdoor dining set with stunning serveware, glassware and crockery to make your al-fresco dining experience feel a little more special.

For a fun DIY outdoor kitchen idea, check out our guide on how to make your own garden bar – perfect for those warm summer evening mojitos.

One of our most popular outdoor kitchen ideas is to set up a firepit nearby, so that everyone has a space to gather around and keep warm. It also ensures that your drinks and after-dinner snacks are well within reach for socialising late into the evening.

Explore our full range of garden furniture.

Add a little personality

Finally, don’t forget to add some personality and character to your outdoor kitchen to really make it your own.

Paint a wooden board with chalkboard paint to create your own menu board, or keep potted herbs like mint, oregano and parsley nearby. These are great for adding home-grown produce to your meals.

Get creative with bunting to add some charm and colour to a gazebo, or fill old jam jars with spices and condiments to spruce up your prep station.

Don’t forget to think about lighting options – string lights or lanterns are great for creating a warm ambience, while solar lights are perfect for lighting up pathways or borders and will automatically illuminate at dusk.

And those are our outdoor kitchen ideas! Don’t forget to share your outdoor kitchen creations with us @Homebase_uk on Instagram, and check out more of our garden ideas.