How to design an Outdoor Kitchen

Dining Outdoors

There’s something about cooking and eating outdoors that makes everything taste better. Upgrading from a simple braai to an outdoor kitchen set-up means you can spend more time in the thick of the alfresco action with friends and family. Here’s how to get started on your outdoor kitchen.

Location scout

There are a lot of factors to consider in deciding where to place your kitchen: for example, proximity to the house, available space, amenities like a pool, and privacy. DIY Kitchen’s expert Monique Parker says your outdoor kitchen should be as close to your existing kitchen as possible. “This will not only create a feeling of space as the inside flows outside, but will reduce costs if you can connect to existing plumbing, power or gas,” she says.

Whatever the weather

Any outdoor kitchen should be made from tough, weather-resistant materials. Outdoor kitchens are never going to be watertight, but if you use good products in a good design, they will function well. Even stainless steel can be susceptible to rust, so creating a protected zone for your outdoor kitchen is optimal. Make sure it’s ventilated and sheltered from direct sun as this can affect cabinetry finishes and the performance of bar fridges. Also, wind and rain direction should be factored into your design.

Layout and look

Your budget and how you’ll use your kitchen (daily meals with the family or a casual braai) will help determine how simple or sophisticated you go. “You need to have a budget first and then work around that,” says Jason. “For example, polished concrete benchtops are very popular at the moment, but are very expensive due to the labour and engineering.” In your layout, allow space for key kitchen zones – preparation, storage, cooking and serving – and carefully consider where to place hot zones (barbecue, pizza oven or cooktop), wet areas (the sink), prep and storage areas (benches and cabinets), and cold areas (the fridge). “It’s highly likely that a barbecue or pizza oven will be included in the design, so it’s a good idea to consider the size of these when designing the space,” says Monique Parker, who recommends including a sink. 

If budget allows, an outdoor bar fridge can also help reduce the foot traffic indoors. Make sure you factor in the cost of licensed tradies to install lighting and appliances.

Other essentials

An outdoor kitchen needs to be located on a level area and the flooring must be durable and slip-resistant. Ceramic tiles, bricks, pressed concrete and pre-cast pavers are all stylish, water-resistant options. Materials around the cooking zone, such as behind the barbecue, need to be heatproof.

Also factor in lighting: illumination above the barbecue is essential, so you can see what you’re cooking. Consider shadows – don’t put the main light behind the chef, or behind the braai. If you have an overhead covering, fixed downlights and spotlights are great for lighting up the cooking zone, and can also set the ambience in the dining area. 

Plan your outdoor kitchen layout

It’s important to establish the layout of your appliances to make sure that the services – gas and electricity – can be correctly positioned. Here are three options:

• Single line: An economical option with easy flow between the kitchen and other outdoor spaces.
• U-shaped: A layout that gives the cook quick access to appliances and can help keep children away from the hot grill.
• L-shaped: A sociable layout that still separates prep and storage areas from the cooking zone.

Check out our wide range of DIY Superstore Kitchen products, which are perfect for your outdoor kitchen.