Making the Most of Your Outdoor Kitchen: Design Ideas and Cleaning Tips

Whether you have the ultimate outdoor kitchen already or you’re considering having one built, read on for our best outside kitchen design ideas and maintenance tips.

Design Inspiration

Create a backyard kitchen paradise that suits your style. Depending on your list of must-haves — whether you want a griller’s haven, a pizza oven, or an emphasis on dining space for entertaining — here are a few design ideas to consider:

• Nautical Nook: Whether you live on the waterfront or just wish you did, invoke the serenity of beachside bliss with a casual outdoor kitchen area in soft ocean tones. Bring a coastal feel with a cool-hued natural stone backsplash, shiplap accents, and cabinets in subdued blue. Soapstone countertops add a unique elegance. It’s the perfect place to grill delicious seafood for a party or simply enjoy a home-cooked brunch for two.
• Spanish-Style Retreat: Perfect for southwest climates, a Spanish-style outdoor kitchen means warm hues and hot style. Turn up the heat with a top-of-the-line pizza oven. Choose travertine, quartzite, or slate tile in tan and gold for the patio floor. Top it off with a gazebo clad in terracotta to complete the look.
• Ultra-modern Space: Go contemporary with a monochromatic look, complementing your stainless-steel appliances with porcelain or ceramic tile in striking shades of gray. Keep cabinetry elegant with dark wood or white paint. A backsplash of glass tile adds a sleek, modern touch.

Cleaning & Maintenance

An outdoor kitchen, since it’s exposed to the elements, requires particular care and maintenance, especially when it comes to appliances and tile. These are a few tips on taking care of your outdoor kitchen’s most important parts:

• Seal your countertops. If you’ve used granite, be sure to have them professionally sealed every few years to prevent wear from sunlight and weather.
• Clean your grill regularly. Use a grill brush to scrub the grates while they’re still warm after use. Always be sure to cover your outdoor grill to protect it from rain.
• Winterize your appliances. If you live in a temperate climate and don’t use your outdoor kitchen in the winter months, make sure to take the necessary precautions against cold-weather damage. Drain supply links to the outdoor sink to prevent pipes from bursting, and cover and unplug your appliances.
• Protect your furniture. Choose weather and UV-resistant fabrics for the cushions on your outdoor furniture. If possible, bring furniture inside to protect it further, or use vinyl covers.

Try using our Just Imagine Visualizer to play with what your patio could look like using different product combinations.