Get Sizzling with a Complete Outdoor Cooking Kitchen on Your Deck
Imagine being able to grill juicy steaks, fry up fresh veggies, and whip up chilled drinks without ever leaving the comfort of your backyard deck. What better way to relax outside and entertain friends than in your own personal outdoor oasis—a deck kitchen equipped with everything you need for al fresco dining and fuss-free cooking.
From compact grilling stations to expansive food prep areas, installing a deck kitchen opens up possibilities for maximizing your outdoor living space. Follow this guide to turn your ordinary deck into an extraordinary outdoor cooking destination.
Plan Your Dream Deck Kitchen
Adding an outdoor cooking kitchen to an existing deck starts with some upfront planning. Determine how you want to utilize the space and which amenities would serve you best.
Consider key questions like:
- Will the kitchen be mostly for grilling or do you also want food prep and dining zones?
- Which appliances are must-haves vs. nice-to-have upgrades?
- How much seating and storage should be incorporated?
Prioritizing your needs helps guide good design and keep your project on budget. Focus first on the grill setup, storage, countertop prep space, and a sink. Extras like a mini fridge, oven, and dishwasher can come later.
Choose the Right Materials
An outdoor kitchen needs durable, waterproof materials that can withstand sun, rain, and temperature swings.
For cabinetry, opt for stainless steel, tile, marine-grade wood or weatherproof laminates. Include drainage, ventilation and toe kicks. Drawers and doors should have tight seals.
Countertops like granite, marble, or ceramic tile hold up well and resist stains and heat. Stainless steel is easy to clean and maintain.
For sinks, pick deep stainless steel basins with commercial style faucets and sloped bottom drain kits made for outdoor use.
Stay On Budget
Careful planning helps avoid cost overruns. Prioritize functional elements over expensive upgrades. comparison shop for appliances and materials. A basic outdoor kitchen often ranges $3,000-$5,000. All the bells and whistles can reach $15,000.
Design Your Ideal Layout
Your deck's dimensions and layout impact placement. Include adequate room around appliances for safe use. Locate the sink near the grill for food prep.
Think about workflow from start to finish—where ingredients are prepped, cooked, served and cleaned up after meals. Incorporate different zones for prepping, grilling, dining and storage.
For larger decks, consider multiple cooking areas like a main grill plus side burner, pizza oven or smoker. Leave room for seating arrangements that accommodate different size groups.
Prep for Smooth Installation
A qualified contractor helps tackle structural and utility considerations:
- Reinforce the frame, posts and footings to handle appliance weight.
- Run any needed gas, electric, water and drainage lines.
- Construct cabinetry frames from pressure-treated lumber.
- Finish cabinet interiors with moisture-barrier panels.
Proper prep prevents problems down the road and makes for a more functional, long-lasting deck kitchen.
Personalize with Finishing Touches
Once the functional components are in place, add those design details that reflect your tastes.
Incorporate lighting, music, heating or cooling elements tailored to how you’ll use the space. Add pops of color with accessories like pillows, rugs and plants. Display decorative serving pieces or artwork.
The options are endless for customizing your outdoor cooking oasis.
Grilling season never has to end with an outdoor kitchen made for backyard BBQs, holidays and impromptu get-togethers. From weeknight dinners to weekend parties, you’ll enjoy the convenience of having everything needed for cooking, dining and entertaining just steps outside your home.
Get inspired to build your own dream deck kitchen by browsing photos of completed designs. Some go all out with features like pizza ovens, teppanyaki grills, kegerators, and even dishwashers. But even a simple grilling station makes easy work of outdoor meals.
Turn up the heat on deck living and enjoy endless meals under the open sky with a complete al fresco cooking kitchen designed by you. Get ready for your tastiest summer yet!