Outdoor kitchens have always remained popular, but design trends and styles have significantly changed. With modern advancements in sustainability, technology, and space flexibility, homeowners are creating outdoor kitchens like never before. If you’re uncertain what type of outdoor kitchen will best suit your preferences, learning some modern tips and trends with which outdoor kitchens are thriving can be inspiring.

Cooking Considerations

If you don’t eat meat and hate grilling, there’s not much sense in having a grill or barbecuing tools in your outdoor kitchen. What do you like to cook, especially outdoors? Modern outdoor kitchens are more than just a grill and some tables. The sky is the limit regarding culinary concoctions on the patio. Many new kitchens feature pizza ovens, fire pits, smokers, and built-in bars.

Marinating in Multifunction

Flexible spaces are trending in home design, and this includes the exterior. An outdoor kitchen isn’t handy without spaces to entertain, relax, or eat! Include plenty of sitting or lounging options. Collapsible tables or retractable awnings can transform a space into various functions. When you’re finished cooking, your patio should provide ample space to garden, relax, or enjoy a dip in the pool.

Nighttime Nutrition

A patio space can be magical at night. An outdoor kitchen should be fully utilized and functional during all times of the day. A fire pit can add ambiance and even an alternative way to cook! Roasted marshmallows, anyone? If fire isn’t your thing, lanterns, string lights, step lights, and garden lights can illuminate any size yard. Remember to use solar-powered LED lights for maximum efficiency.

Whipping Up Weatherproofing

There’s nothing quite like a downpour in the middle of grilling a steak. It’s wise to include some cover over your outdoor kitchen to shield it from rainfall and the sun’s harsh rays. Pergolas or awnings provide shade and shelter from the elements in a stylish way. You can even use retractable awnings that provide cover only if needed.

Drink Design

Outdoor kitchens can be great for prepping all types of food, but what about drinks? Consider including a small wet bar to make drink prep fun and convenient. Refrigerators, sinks, fresh fruit, and ice boxes can be included to concoct any beverage. You can section it off to give it an official bar feel, especially when you pull up some stools.

Prepping Paradise

Before cooking, you must prepare meats, vegetables, and fruits beforehand. It’s pretty tricky to do this without the space for it! Don’t forget to include counter and storage space in your outdoor kitchen plans. Counters don’t have to be as permanent as an indoor kitchen, but having space to prep is critical to a functional and fun cooking zone. Kitchen islands are great for this, and moveable ones create a flexible space for your patio.

Modular Mixing

Modular home designs are stylish and add more customization to the space’s layout. Outdoor kitchens can be modular, too! Consider appliances, counters, and furniture that are easily assembled and rearranged. A modular space can change depending on mood, trends, and needs. Patio spaces are typically designed to be flexible, so the patio’s kitchen should be just as malleable. If you have a rigid, permanent kitchen design, consider renovating to create a space that can be easily rearranged.

Sauteing Sustainably

Energy efficiency is a popular trend in home designs for many good reasons, and outdoor kitchens are no exception. Sustainable kitchen designs that utilize LED smart lighting, energy-saving appliances, and water-saving features can help reduce utility bill costs by hundreds of dollars. While saving money, you’re also saving water and energy, allowing for less resource waste, which is much better for the environment. We should harmonize with nature in our outdoor spaces, not harm it!

Maximalist Melting Pot

You’ve likely heard of minimalism, with neutral colors, clean lines, and sleek designs. While this can make indoors look more extensive and more luxurious, outdoor spaces seem a bit out of place with this theme. Maximalism is winning the hearts of modern homeowners while designing their outdoor spaces, and kitchens are no exception. Picture bright colors, flashy patterns, and patios teeming with plant life. Colorful countertops, appliances, and tables can make an outdoor eating experience fun.

Conclusion

Homeowners have always favored outdoor kitchens, but in recent years, outdoor kitchen designs have gone all out. From large, wood-fired pizza ovens to maximalist-themed spaces, outdoor enthusiasts are rethinking how they cook outside. The best way to create the outdoor kitchen of your dreams is to know what you want from a kitchen. It can be wise to make it flexible and bold while including plenty of room for prepping, entertaining, and relaxing. There’s no wrong way to create an outdoor dream kitchen!