Even the coziest of backyards are capable of hosting outdoor kitchens. If your home only leaves you a few feet of the yard to enjoy the outdoors, we can make that work. There are plenty of small outdoor kitchen ideas to give you enough room to have fun with family and enjoy the sun.
Be the host with the most by entertaining neighbors with a summer barbeque or enjoy a potluck with friends. No matter the size of your backyard, there is still room to throw a party. In our guide, we’ll show you how to design a small outdoor kitchen and what layouts are best.
Even if you have the space to create an expanding outdoor kitchen, that isn’t always necessary. Small outdoor kitchens give hosts and guests alike ample opportunities to enjoy brats and burgers while lounging about.
But if you don’t have an extensive backyard or you live in a larger city, and your home backs up to the one behind you, a smaller amount of room can give you the same great results as if you had expansive space. Stay tuned for some tips and tricks on how to optimize your space to create an excellent atmosphere for any summer evening.
Small Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
We’ll give you a few small patio ideas and things to keep in mind when designing your small outdoor kitchen that is sure to make you the talk of the street.
Layout
When you decide to invest in an outdoor kitchen, the first thing to plan is the layout and size of the kitchen. If you have a backyard with a few feet of grass and then a fence, planning accordingly and measuring correctly is essential.
If you want to keep as much open space in your backyard as you can, plan to place your outdoor kitchen leading directly from inside. Place the stove closest to the door and layer your patio with comfortable furniture that can weather the occasional SoCal storm.
Other small backyard ideas for creating a kitchen are L-shaped layouts. Because of the use of efficiency pertaining to space, your backyard will feel cozy while not overcrowded. Adding in stone or brick flooring will create enough dimension to make your outdoor kitchen worthwhile.
Budget
Having a budget is always an essential part of the plan when discovering outdoor kitchen ideas for small spaces. There are quite a few different elements when it comes to designing a backyard kitchen, and you don’t want to rack up a hefty bill and not be able to afford a grill.
When planning out your budget, make sure to include storage space that might be needed, proper ventilation, flooring, and lighting. One of the perks of having a small outdoor kitchen is you can save money on tiles and roofs and splurge a bit more on an outdoor smoker or a compact refrigerator.
Get Creative
The best part of having small outdoor kitchen ideas and designing exactly what you’re imagining is getting creative. To have a proper backyard kitchen, you’ll need at least a grill, prep space, a sink, fridge, and an area to enjoy your creations. But with smaller dimensions limiting all you can do, you may face some difficulties planning the layout. That’s why we suggest getting creative!
As we said, an L-shaped kitchen layout is a great way to save space and enjoy it at the same time. Also, don’t feel like everything needs to be permanent. Invest in portable storage instead of cabinetry and appliances that fold and break down. Easily wheel your grill into your garage or shed to have more space to enjoy your burgers with friends.
Designing an Outdoor Kitchen
In addition to knowing the important steps to starting your outdoor kitchen, we’ll help you with a few design ideas as well.
Versatile Styles
A few small outdoor kitchen ideas include using certain types of brick to accentuate your desired effect. You can use red bricks for a classic atmosphere or pearly-white stucco for a more Tuscan ambiance.
When designing your outdoor kitchen, you can choose to match your home interior or step into something new. If your kitchen features sleek designs and modern appliances, maybe you want your backyard to hold a different feel. Or, if your luxury kitchen is meant for functionality, your outdoor one can highlight form and fun.
Multiple Grilling Options
When designing your outdoor kitchen, you have to have a small grill. Here at Aztec Appliance, we offer unique options when it comes to your choices of outdoor kitchen appliances. Whether you choose a small gas grill or a small propane grill, your friend’s mouths are sure to be watering once you pull that drizzled barbeque off the hot surface.
A Place to Relax
If your backyard can handle it, a prime small outdoor kitchen idea is investing in a firepit. To take your parties up a notch, a firepit sets the mood for the evening. Kids can play for hours past sunset, and adults can sit and enjoy a drink while relaxing with friends.
If you aren’t a fan of bonfire smells or your home doesn’t feature a large enough backyard, install a fireplace in your small outdoor kitchen. You can design these straight into the brick or place them separately next to your grill. Either way, they’ll create even more time outdoors during those breezy, cool evenings.
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FAQ Snippets
Q: Are outdoor kitchens worth it?
When you invest in an outdoor kitchen, you will most likely see a 100-200% return on investment. Whether it’s smaller or large, an outdoor kitchen significantly increases the value of your home when it comes time to sell.
Q: How much does it cost to build an outdoor kitchen?
The national average for outdoor kitchens is $13,176, ranging from $5,000 to $17,500. All this depends on whether you choose a small grill or a large one, a longer outdoor patio, and specific materials. Again, if you have the budget but don’t have the space, it’s a great opportunity to go all-out on an outdoor kitchen.
Q: How close to a house can you build an outdoor kitchen?
To prevent any fire hazards, grills or any other heat-producing appliance should be built or placed at least 10 feet away from the structure of the house.
Q: Do I need to cover my outdoor kitchen?
Even though sunny San Diego doesn’t see much rain, it does see mist. The salt air can be destructive to outdoor cabinets and stainless steel. The best marine grade steel, also known as 316, is the best for construction since it is resistant to corrosion.
Why Trust Aztec Appliance?
Since 1972, Aztec Appliance has been offering quality sales and service for name-brand appliances. Our mission is to not only help you achieve all your appliance dreams, but we also want to bring value to your home beyond materialistic amenities. Our team is an authentic group of people dedicated to our work, and we share the same undeniable passion for people and serving them the best we can. Suffice it to say, we know appliances.
Whether it’s a first birthday, a backyard wedding, or a retirement celebration, our hope is to give you the opportunity to enjoy life’s little moments. After all, memories are not consigned to the big moments — they exist within the little ones. And you can rest assured our inventory of top-performing kitchen, laundry, and outdoor appliances will help you spend less time keeping the home and more time with the people who make it home.
Shop Outdoor Kitchens at Aztec
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop outdoor kitchens online for the guaranteed lowest price at Aztec. Check out Aztec Appliance reviews, and if you have questions, our friendly product experts are always happy to help you implement all your outdoor kitchen ideas — whether you call us at 858-987-5777 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by our Aztec Appliance San Diego showroom located at the heart of downtown. Visit us today!
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