5 Fabulous Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

This time of year, we find ourselves outdoors more than we are indoors. And why not? The weather is beautiful with lots of sunshine and warmth. And the longer days mean that eating dinner and entertaining outdoors just becomes natural. So, in preparation for summer shenanigans, get-togethers, and everything in between, now is a great time to try out some new outdoor kitchen ideas. Just like your indoor kitchen appliances, an outdoor kitchen comes with many benefits:

-Extends your living and entertaining space

-Keeps smells outdoors

–Lowers your energy bill

-Provides convenience when hanging out outdoors

-Adds value to the home

And that is just to name a few. So, if you would like to add an outdoor kitchen to your space, but you don’t know where to start, keep reading. We’ve got five fabulous outdoor kitchen ideas to help you get started.

What’s Included in an Outdoor Kitchen?

No longer does an outdoor kitchen include just a grill. Or even a grill and a small table. And, while there is no set checklist for an outdoor kitchen that you have to have in order to call it an outdoor kitchen, the idea is to create a kitchen (yes, much like your indoor kitchen) but outside. Instead of a range, you have a grill. But you need countertops and storage space. You will also benefit greatly from a sink and a refrigerator, too.

Having this in a designated area in your backyard can make it feel more like an outdoor kitchen. You can choose the size of the space, the layout, and whether or not you want to add an island based on the space you have. But one thing you do need is an entertainment space to go alongside it. After all, what good is an outdoor kitchen if you can’t enjoy the meal under the stars? Create a space to have drinks, food, and fun all right in your backyard.

Keep in mind that it is a good idea to extend your interior design into your outdoors so that it flows smoothly and beautifully.

Thor Kitchen’s Outdoor Kitchen Suite

When you have an idea that will take your backyard to new heights, Thor Kitchen’s outdoor kitchen suite is just what you need to pull the look together. If you are looking for a combination of classy and elegance topped with durability and functionality, look no further. 

 This kitchen suite comes with several key pieces, including: 

Gas BBQ Grill:

A 32-inch 4-burner gas grill with rotisserie can be there for you when cooking any meal. This stainless steel grill has stellar LED-lit knobs, halogen lights (much-needed for nighttime grilling), easy moving, and the ability to use either propane or natural gas. It sits perfectly on an outdoor kitchen BBQ grill cabinet with its two storage drawers and bottom storage cabinet.

Outdoor Kitchen Sink Cabinet:

Having a sink in your outdoor kitchen isn’t mandatory, but it sure is convenient. Whether you are prepping food, washing dishes, or just looking for a place to wash your hands, this stainless steel kitchen sink cabinet with storage space comes in handy.

Pizza Oven and Cabinet:

Why? Well, why not? If you have never cooked a pizza (or anything, for that matter) in a pizza oven, then you are in for a real treat. This stainless steel wood-burning pizza oven blends in well with the other pieces of this suite while delivering a delicious pie every time. It also comes with storage so that you can keep all your pizza utensils organized.

24 Inch Indoor/Outdoor Refrigerator:

As a potential add-on to the suite, having a refrigerator can be incredibly beneficial to your outdoor kitchen. Not only does it make it convenient for cold drinks, but it is great for storing condiments, spreads, or anything you may need for cooking. Perhaps a 42-bottle wine cooler may be more suitable for your needs?

All of these items are meant to stand up to outdoor weather conditions and continue to look magnificent any day of the year.

Five Outdoor Kitchen Ideas to Try

Ready to enjoy life and make some lifelong memories? Let’s take a look at some kitchen ideas that can incorporate this kitchen suite and make it your own. 

1. Modern Outdoor Kitchen

For those who don’t have a lot of extra space, but are looking to create a kitchen outdoors, a simple wood-paneled island will work. This can be built next to or around your kitchen suite, bringing you a designated cooking area as well as a prep area, too. 

The modern look is in the wood paneling paired with a stone countertop and a stainless steel grill, cabinet, sink, etc.

2. Patio Dining – and Relaxing

What if you could turn your backyard into a dining and relaxation space? It can be the ultimate hangout spot. Add your kitchen appliances and countertops, but don’t stop there. You can have a seating area, a dining table, a fireplace, a television, and the like. Make it cozy as if you were relaxing in your living room watching the game. 

3. An Outdoor Bar

Along with your grill, why not build up your countertop and turn it into a bar? Add some nice barstools and use a wine cooler to store your drinks. You can decorate your bar any way you want. You can create a tropical It’s 5 o’clock somewhere vibe, turn it into an Irish pub, or leave it a modern, sleek space. 

4. Contemporary Outdoor Dining

To create a contemporary space, you can combine the shiny, sleek look of the stainless steel appliances with neutral pavers. Add some pizazz with a backsplash behind the grill. A stone island can seal the deal. 

Be sure to extend the look into the dining area, too, so that it remains uniform. 

5. Don’t Forget the Must-Haves

When designing the ultimate outdoor kitchen, you cannot forget to include the must-haves, such as: 

-Lighting

-Space to move around freely

-Comfortable seating

-Overhead covering (at least partial)

-Fireplace or heaters to extend the use of the space

-Entertainment, such as a tv or music/speakers

Bring Your Outdoor Kitchen Ideas to Life with THOR Kitchen

Summer only comes once each year, but with the right outdoor kitchen ideas and design, you can make use of your outdoor space all year long. Get started on yours today by finding a dealer near you! And if you’re feeling extra creative, try out our Builder & Designer Program!

For more information, contact THOR Kitchen.