Custom Outdoor Kitchens

Ideas and Inspiration for Designing a Custom Outdoor Kitchen

What is an outdoor kitchen?

Outdoor kitchens are quickly becoming one of the most requested elements of an outdoor living space and it’s easy to see why. An outdoor kitchen brings the flavors, fresh air, and nostalgia of grilling out, combined with the convenience of a traditional kitchen: refrigeration, counter and prep space, storage space, bar seating, entertainment, the list goes on. To put it succinctly, an outdoor kitchen provides all the pleasures of grilling outdoors without any of the hassle.

How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?

If you’re considering adding an outdoor kitchen to your home, you’re almost certainly wondering how much it will cost. With over a decade of experience building custom outdoor living spaces, we’ve created our fair share of outdoor kitchens ranging from luxury kitchens with chef-grade appliances to simple built-in grilling stations. At Ventures, every project we take on is a fully custom design and build. “Clients that come to us are people who value outdoor living and are looking to invest in creating a unique and beautiful space.” says co-owner Brandon Bertrang “What we do is much more along the lines of hiring an architect to design a custom home, in that we work hand in hand with our clients and their budget to design and iterate on a concept until we have something that meets both their needs and is financially feasible for them.” A custom outdoor kitchen can range from $15,000 to over $100,000 depending on the scope and finishings. For homeowners who are not interested in investing in a custom outdoor kitchen, there are plenty of pre-fabricated ones on the market. From Home Depot to Wayfair to Ikea, there is no shortage of options at a range of price points.

What is the most important consideration when designing an outdoor kitchen?

“Just like designing an indoor kitchen, it’s crucial to think about the layout and how the kitchen will be used.” says Ventures designer, Jake Steward “The kitchen should be functional and efficient. Consider how people will interact with it and move about the space to avoid bottlenecks or inconveniences. The placement of appliances is crucial. It may seem obvious but I’m surprised by how often I see basic mistakes like installing a built-in grill along bar seating. That creates a hot, smokey sitting area that no guest will enjoy. As a general rule, cooking appliances like grills, smokers, and flat tops should be further from the seating areas. Beverage coolers and prep space are perfect along bar seating so the grill master can comfortably prep while chatting with guests and conveniently pass out cold drinks.”

What appliances are available for outdoor kitchens?

There is no shortage of awesome appliances designed for outdoor kitchens. Grills are a staple of course but there are also pizza ovens, warming drawers, refrigerators, beverage coolers, condiment coolers, and smokers to name a few. “Surface Griddles are becoming more popular as well,” says Steward “Nothing beats a good Smashburger.”

What is the most underrated appliance to include in an outdoor kitchen?

“Roll out trash and recycling bins.” says Stewart “It’s all about convenience and appearance. Pull-out bins make it easy to clear clutter and keep it out of site. They’re not the most glamorous features but I would never design an outdoor kitchen without them.”

Outdoor Kitchen Design Inspiration

A basic outdoor kitchen can be as simple as a counter or island with a built-in grill. Having counter space, storage, and a cooking appliance are the bare necessities of an outdoor kitchen, it’s enough to elevate the outdoor cooking and dining experience and make it both convenient and enjoyable.

Our Nottingham Pointe build features a much-loved wood-fire pizza oven on the lower patio next to a fire pit, so the homeowners felt they only needed a small outdoor kitchen on the upper deck. A NatureKast island with plenty of storage, a beverage cooler, and a built-in grill was the perfect solution.

White Pine Circle is another great example of an uncovered outdoor kitchen. Its L-shaped design creates a row of bar seating above the refrigerator and pull-out disposals. The built-in grill, warming drawer, and storage are further from the sitting area, keeping guests at a comfortable distance from the heat and smoke of the grill.

Covered Outdoor Kitchen

Building a covered outdoor kitchen opens up far more possibilities. While outdoor appliances are designed to be weather resistant, sheltering them from direct rain and snow offers a level of protection and will extend their lives. Having a roof also allows you to enjoy your outdoor kitchen in all weather and add amenities such as overhead lighting, heaters, and fans to improve comfort.

Co-owner and designer Brandon Bertrang favors the outdoor kitchen at our Kingston build. This gorgeous outdoor kitchen sits under a custom pergola and is packed with chef-grade appliances. With a built-in grill with hood, side burners, smoker, refrigeration, and custom swing seating along the bar, it truly has it all.

Construction manager Loch Durrant likes the outdoor kitchen elements of our Lakeview build. This multi-level lakeside terrace features two versions of an outdoor kitchen. Attached to the house is a covered outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill and hood, a side burner, refrigeration, storage, and more. Two tiers down, we built the perfect platform for hosting a lakeside cocktail party. Here an L-shaped bar features a stunning two-tier granite countertop, built-in beverage coolers, and NatureKast outdoor composite cabinets. Behind the bar is an artificial living wall, bringing lush greens into the vertical space behind the bar.

Wing Lake is designer Jake Steward’s favorite outdoor kitchen. “I really liked the Wing Lake kitchen. It has it all: covered seating, uncovered seating, a built-in grill and hood, heater, fridges, even a condiment cooler” The Wing Lake kitchen is on a covered porch with overhead heaters, a ceiling fan, recessed lighting, and a mounted all-weather TV, making the space comfortable and entertaining throughout the seasons.

Interested in adding a custom outdoor kitchen to your home? Fill out our contact form to get started with your free consultation.