Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen can become one of the most useful and sociable parts of a garden.

But it works best when it is designed as part of the landscape rather than added as a standalone product.

The strongest outdoor kitchen gardens consider:

• Position

• Cooking

• Dining

• Circulation

• Shelter

• Paving

• Lighting

• Planting

• Views

• Relationship with the house.

At Kirman Design, we design gardens around outdoor kitchens throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.

The objective is to create a space that is practical to cook in, comfortable to entertain in and visually connected to the wider garden.

What Is Outdoor Kitchen Garden Design?

Outdoor kitchen garden design considers the entire landscape around the cooking area.

It asks questions such as:

• Where should the kitchen be positioned?

• How close should it be to the house?

• Where should the dining table go?

• Does the kitchen need a pergola?

• How should guests move around the space?

• Where should lighting be positioned?

• How should planting soften the kitchen?

• What should the cook look towards?

The kitchen itself is only one component.

Start With How You Will Use the Outdoor Kitchen

Before choosing units, appliances or finishes, consider how the space will actually be used.

Will it be primarily for:

• Barbecuing

• Everyday family meals

• Large-scale entertaining

• Pizza cooking

• Drinks

• Weekend socialising?

The answer should influence:

• Kitchen size

• Worktop space

• Dining capacity

• Storage

• Position.

Outdoor Kitchen Garden Design and Outdoor Living

Outdoor kitchens usually form part of a broader outdoor-living scheme.

Our Outdoor Living Garden Design page explores how:

• Cooking

• Dining

• Seating

• Shelter

• Lighting

can work together.

Luxury Outdoor Kitchens

For higher-specification projects, see Luxury Outdoor Living.

A luxury outdoor-living garden may combine:

• Outdoor kitchen

• Dining

• Pergola

• Lounge seating

• Fire feature

• Lighting

• Mature planting.

Indoor Outdoor Living With an Outdoor Kitchen

The best outdoor kitchens often have a strong relationship with the house.

Our Indoor Outdoor Garden Design page explores how interior rooms and exterior spaces can be connected through:

• Views

• Glazing

• Terraces

• Levels

• Materials.

Should an Outdoor Kitchen Be Close to the House?

Often, yes.

A kitchen positioned reasonably close to the house can make it easier to move:

• Food

• Drinks

• Crockery

• Ingredients

between indoors and outdoors.

However, convenience is only one consideration.

The position should also respond to:

• Views

• Wind

• Smoke

• Privacy

• Dining layout.

Outdoor Kitchens Outside Bifold Doors

Where the kitchen is positioned near bifold doors, the view from inside becomes part of the design.

Our Garden Design Around Bifold Doors page explores how wide openings can influence the terrace.

Outdoor Kitchens Outside Sliding Doors

For properties with large sliding doors, see Garden Design Around Sliding Doors.

A kitchen can become a strong architectural feature, but it should not necessarily dominate the main view from the house.

Patio Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen

The terrace needs to be sized around:

• Kitchen footprint

• User standing space

• Dining furniture

• Circulation.

Our Garden Patio Ideas page explores patio design more broadly.

Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors

Where the outdoor kitchen is part of the main terrace, see Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors.

This explores how:

• Furniture

• Paving

• Levels

• Circulation

can work with large glazed openings.

Design Around the Actual Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen should not be treated as a generic rectangle.

Its precise dimensions may affect:

• Pergola position

• Seating

• Services

• Lighting

• Paving joints.

The specific kitchen should therefore be considered before final construction drawings are completed.

Outdoor Kitchen Layout

Outdoor kitchens can be arranged as:

• Straight runs

• L-shapes

• U-shapes

• Islands.

The correct layout depends on:

• Available space

• Appliances

• Worktop needs

• Number of users

• Relationship with dining.

Straight Outdoor Kitchens

A straight kitchen run can work well where space is limited.

It can create a clean, unobtrusive layout along:

• Wall

• Boundary

• Pergola edge.

L-Shaped Outdoor Kitchens

An L-shaped kitchen can provide:

• More worktop

• Better zoning

• Partial enclosure.

It may also help separate the cooking space from the dining area.

Outdoor Kitchen Islands

An island can make cooking more social.

The person preparing food may face:

• Guests

• Garden

• View

rather than a wall.

However, islands need sufficient circulation around them.

Should the Cook Face the Garden?

Where possible, it can improve the experience.

An outdoor kitchen is often a social space.

Facing the cook towards:

• Guests

• Planting

• Wider landscape

can make the kitchen feel much more integrated.

Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Area

The kitchen and dining area should normally be considered together.

Our Garden Design for Outdoor Dining page explores:

• Table dimensions

• Chair movement

• Circulation

• Position.

How Close Should the Dining Table Be to the Kitchen?

Close enough to be convenient, but not so close that:

• Chairs obstruct the cook

• Guests stand in working space

• Movement becomes awkward.

The layout should allow cooking and dining to happen simultaneously.

Outdoor Kitchen Gardens for Entertaining

Outdoor kitchens can become central features in entertaining gardens.

Our Garden Design for Entertaining page explores how:

• Dining

• Seating

• Guest circulation

• Lighting

can be coordinated.

Outdoor Kitchens for Evening Entertaining

Outdoor kitchens are often used most heavily in the evening.

Our Garden Design for Evening Entertaining page explores how:

• Task lighting

• Ambient lighting

• Fire

• Shelter

can create a stronger after-dark garden.

Pergolas Over Outdoor Kitchens

Pergolas can work particularly well around outdoor kitchens.

They may provide:

• Shelter

• Shade

• Lighting

• Structure

• A stronger sense of room.

Our Pergola Ideas page explores different approaches.

Does an Outdoor Kitchen Need a Pergola?

No.

It should be used where it improves:

• Shelter

• Comfort

• Appearance

• Privacy.

An open-air kitchen can work perfectly well where the site and intended use suit it.

Outdoor Kitchens Under Aluminium Pergolas

Aluminium pergolas can create a highly architectural setting.

Some systems incorporate:

• Adjustable louvres

• Side screens

• Integrated lighting.

These can work particularly well in contemporary gardens.

Outdoor Kitchens Under Timber Pergolas

Timber structures can create a softer character.

They may suit:

• Country gardens

• Period properties

• Naturalistic schemes.

Pergola Costs

Where the pergola is a major component, see How Much Does a Pergola Cost?.

Outdoor Kitchen Privacy

Privacy may be important where the kitchen and dining space are close to neighbouring properties.

Our Garden Privacy page explores the wider strategy.

Possible solutions include:

• Trees

• Screens

• Hedging

• Pergolas

• Layout.

Overlooked Outdoor Kitchen Areas

Where the main entertaining terrace is overlooked, see Overlooked Garden.

Pergolas for Privacy

A pergola can help create more privacy from elevated neighbouring windows.

Our Pergolas for Privacy page explores this approach.

Garden Screening Around an Outdoor Kitchen

Our Garden Screening Ideas page explores:

• Trees

• Hedging

• Screens

• Structures.

Screening can also help conceal less attractive views behind the kitchen.

Creating an Outdoor Room Around the Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen can form the centre of a dedicated outdoor room.

Our Creating an Outdoor Room page explores how:

• Pergolas

• Walls

• Screens

• Planting

can define a distinct living area.

Outdoor Kitchen Lighting

Lighting is essential if the kitchen will be used after dark.

Our Garden Lighting Ideas page explores the wider landscape-lighting approach.

An outdoor kitchen may require:

• Task lighting

• Ambient lighting

• Route lighting.

Task Lighting for Outdoor Kitchens

Task lighting should provide clear visibility over:

• Worktops

• Grill

• Sink

• Preparation areas.

The cook should not be working in their own shadow.

Avoid Overlighting the Dining Area

The kitchen needs practical illumination.

The dining area usually benefits from softer light.

Separating these lighting requirements helps create a more comfortable atmosphere.

Lighting a Pergola Over an Outdoor Kitchen

Pergola lighting may include:

• Downlights

• Integrated strips

• Pendants.

The design should coordinate with:

• Kitchen

• Dining

• Wider garden.

Lighting Beyond the Outdoor Kitchen

A well-lit kitchen should not become a bright island surrounded by darkness.

Consider highlighting:

• Specimen trees

• Planting

• Walls

• Water.

This creates visual depth.

Outdoor Kitchen Planting

Planting is important because outdoor kitchens contain substantial amounts of:

• Cabinetry

• Worktops

• Appliances

• Paving.

Our Planting Design page explores how planting can soften hard landscaping.

Planting Behind an Outdoor Kitchen

A backdrop of planting can help the kitchen sit more naturally in the garden.

This may include:

• Hedging

• Shrubs

• Multi-stem trees

• Architectural plants.

Planting Beside Outdoor Dining

Planting close to the dining area can provide:

• Fragrance

• Movement

• Enclosure

• Seasonal interest.

Enough circulation should remain around furniture.

Trees Around Outdoor Kitchens

Trees can provide:

• Shade

• Privacy

• Scale.

They can also reduce the visual dominance of large pergola structures.

Specimen Trees as Views From the Kitchen

The cook should ideally have something attractive to look towards.

A carefully positioned specimen tree can create a strong focal point beyond the outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor Kitchens and Fire Pits

A fire-pit area can complement the kitchen by creating a second evening destination.

Our Garden Design Around a Fire Pit page explores fire garden design.

One possible sequence is:

cooking and dining near the house

followed by:

drinks around the fire.

Outdoor Kitchens and Hot Tubs

Where a hot tub is also included, the two spaces should have separate functions.

Our Garden Design Around a Hot Tub page explores spa-area design.

The kitchen may remain more social and open, while the hot tub is positioned somewhere more private.

Outdoor Kitchens Around Swimming Pools

Outdoor kitchens can work particularly well as part of a poolside entertaining garden.

Our Garden Design Around a Swimming Pool page explores:

• Pool terraces

• Dining

• Lounge seating

• Planting.

Outdoor Kitchens and Water Features

Water can provide an attractive view from dining and cooking spaces.

Our Garden Water Feature Ideas page explores how water can be integrated.

Outdoor Kitchen Shelter From Wind

Wind can significantly affect:

• Cooking

• Dining

• Comfort.

The outdoor kitchen should therefore be positioned with local exposure in mind.

Shelter may be provided through:

• Walls

• Screens

• Hedging

• Pergolas.

Do Not Create a Wind Tunnel

Screens and structures can sometimes redirect wind rather than simply block it.

The complete space therefore needs to be considered rather than adding screening reactively.

Outdoor Kitchens in North West England

Outdoor kitchen gardens in North West England should be designed realistically for:

• Rain

• Wind

• Cooler evenings

• Seasonal use.

A scheme copied directly from a warm Mediterranean climate may not make the best use of a North West England garden.

Shelter From Rain

A pergola or covered zone can help extend how often the kitchen is used.

Even where cooking equipment remains outside, a nearby sheltered dining area can significantly improve usability.

Drainage Around Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens often sit on substantial areas of paving.

Our Garden Drainage page explores the wider subject.

Drainage should be coordinated with:

• Terrace falls

• Kitchen base

• House

• Surrounding garden.

Drainage Near an Extension

Where the kitchen is positioned close to new glazing or an extension, see Drainage Around Patios and Extensions.

Outdoor Kitchens on Clay Soil

Heavy clay can affect:

• Drainage

• Groundworks

• Planting.

Our Clay Soil Gardens page explores these conditions.

Outdoor Kitchen Groundworks

The kitchen and pergola may require:

• Excavation

• Foundations

• Sub-bases

• Drainage.

Our Garden Groundworks page explores this work.

Services for an Outdoor Kitchen

Depending on the kitchen specification, services may include:

• Electricity

• Water

• Drainage

• Fuel supply.

These should be planned before final paving and construction are complete.

Plan Services Early

Retrofitting services after paving has been installed can be:

• Disruptive

• Expensive

• Visually compromising.

It is much better to coordinate the kitchen during the design stage.

Outdoor Kitchen Storage

Outdoor kitchens may require storage for:

• Cooking utensils

• Crockery

• Fuel

• Covers.

The required storage should be considered rather than simply maximising appliances.

Outdoor Fridges

Outdoor refrigerators can be useful where:

• Drinks

• Ingredients

need to be kept close to the entertaining space.

Equipment should always be specified for the intended external installation.

Outdoor Sinks

A sink can improve usability, especially in more substantial kitchens.

Its inclusion affects:

• Water

• Drainage

• Layout.

This should be coordinated early.

Barbecues and Grills

The grill is often the core cooking appliance.

Its position should consider:

• Workflow

• Heat

• Smoke

• Manufacturer requirements.

Pizza Ovens

Pizza ovens can become strong social focal points.

However, their:

• Weight

• Heat

• Clearances

• Flue requirements where applicable

need to be incorporated correctly into the design.

Do Not Design Around Appliances Alone

A garden should not become a catalogue of equipment.

The aim is to create a landscape in which cooking happens naturally.

The:

kitchen supports the garden

rather than:

the garden being built around a collection of appliances.

Outdoor Kitchen Gardens in Small Spaces

A compact garden can still contain an outdoor kitchen.

Our Small Garden Design page explores efficient layouts.

In smaller gardens, it may be better to combine:

• Kitchen

• Dining

• Lounge

into one carefully planned outdoor room.

Outdoor Kitchens in Medium-Sized Gardens

Medium gardens may have room for:

• Main terrace

• Outdoor kitchen

• Dining

• Separate planting or lawn.

Our Medium-Sized Garden Design page explores this scale.

Outdoor Kitchens in Large Gardens

Larger gardens may allow the kitchen to become part of a more substantial entertaining area.

Our Large Garden Design page explores how bigger plots can be organised.

Outdoor Kitchens in Very Large Gardens

For substantial landscapes, see Very Large Garden Design.

The kitchen should be positioned as part of a wider hierarchy of:

• House terrace

• Pool

• Fire area

• Garden rooms.

Outdoor Kitchens in Half-Acre Gardens

Our Garden Design for Half an Acre page explores how larger domestic gardens can be structured.

Outdoor Kitchens in Acre Gardens

For more substantial sites, see Garden Design for an Acre.

At this scale, proximity to the house becomes particularly important because an outdoor kitchen positioned too far away may be inconvenient to use.

Contemporary Outdoor Kitchen Gardens

Contemporary gardens work particularly well with architectural outdoor kitchens.

Our Contemporary Garden Design page explores:

• Clean layouts

• Refined materials

• Architectural planting

• Outdoor rooms.

Modern Outdoor Kitchen Gardens

Our Modern Garden Design page explores a stronger geometric approach.

Kitchen cabinetry can be aligned with:

• Paving joints

• Walls

• Pergolas

• House architecture.

Country Garden Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens do not need to look ultra-modern.

Our Country Garden Design page explores softer landscapes.

Natural materials and generous planting can help the kitchen feel appropriate around a rural property.

Outdoor Kitchens at Period Properties

Modern outdoor cooking can be integrated successfully around older architecture.

Our Garden Design for Period Properties page explores how new lifestyle requirements can be balanced with established character.

Outdoor Kitchens at Barn Conversions

Barn conversions can provide particularly strong opportunities for outdoor kitchens.

Our Garden Design for Barn Conversions page explores how:

• Traditional architecture

• Contemporary glazing

• Outdoor living

can work together.

Outdoor Kitchens at Contemporary Houses

Our Garden Design for Contemporary Houses page explores landscapes designed around modern architecture.

Outdoor Kitchens at Modern Homes

For modern properties, see Garden Design for Modern Homes.

Outdoor Kitchens in New-Build Gardens

New-build homes often have large doors but relatively basic external spaces.

Our New-Build Gardens page explores how these gardens can be developed.

Outdoor Kitchens After a House Extension

A rear extension can be the ideal time to redesign the outdoor entertaining space.

Our Garden Design After House Extension page explores the wider relationship.

Garden Levels After an Extension

If the new internal floor level changes the relationship with the garden, see Garden Levels After an Extension.

Accessible Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens can be designed to form part of a more accessible garden.

Our Accessible Garden Design page explores:

• Routes

• Levels

• Seating

• Surfaces.

Level Access From House to Outdoor Kitchen

Where the kitchen is close to the property, see Level Access from House to Garden.

Step-free movement can make carrying:

• Food

• Drinks

• Crockery

significantly easier.

Wheelchair Accessible Outdoor Living

For wheelchair users, see Wheelchair Accessible Garden Design.

Circulation around kitchen and dining furniture needs to be planned from the beginning.

Family Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens can work particularly well in family gardens because cooking becomes part of the social space.

Our Family Garden Design page explores the wider requirements of family landscapes.

Dog-Friendly Outdoor Kitchen Gardens

Where dogs use the garden regularly, practical issues can include:

• Routes

• Planting durability

• Boundaries.

Our Dog-Friendly Garden Design page explores these issues.

How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Garden Cost?

The overall cost depends on more than the kitchen units.

The wider project may include:

• Paving

• Foundations

• Pergola

• Services

• Lighting

• Planting

• Drainage.

Outdoor Kitchen Costs

For the kitchen itself and wider cost drivers, see How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?.

Landscaping Costs

For the broader garden-construction budget, see How Much Does Landscaping Cost?.

Patio Costs

Where substantial paving is required, see How Much Does a Patio Cost?.

Pergola Costs

See How Much Does a Pergola Cost?.

Garden Lighting Costs

See How Much Does Garden Lighting Cost?.

Garden Transformation Costs

Where the outdoor kitchen forms part of a complete redesign, see Garden Transformation Cost.

Luxury Garden Costs

For higher-value projects, see How Much Does a Luxury Garden Cost?.

Set the Budget for the Whole Space

A common mistake is spending too much of the project budget on the kitchen itself.

A premium outdoor kitchen can still feel disappointing if it is surrounded by:

• Undersized paving

• Weak planting

• Poor lighting

• No shelter.

The landscape around the kitchen matters just as much as the cabinetry.

Choose the Outdoor Kitchen Early

The specific kitchen should ideally be selected before construction.

Its dimensions may influence:

• Paving

• Pergola

• Electrical points

• Drainage

• Water

• Fuel

• Lighting.

Design Before You Buy

Buying the outdoor kitchen before planning the garden can force the landscape to adapt around it.

It is generally better to determine:

what the garden needs

then specify:

the kitchen that supports it.

Garden Design and Build

Where the outdoor kitchen forms part of a larger landscape project, see Garden Design & Build.

Complete Garden Design and Build

For substantial whole-garden schemes, see Complete Garden Design and Build.

Landscape Construction

The wider project may involve:

• Excavation

• Foundations

• Paving

• Drainage

• Planting.

Our Landscape Construction page explores the physical construction stage.

Garden Project Management

Outdoor kitchens may involve coordination between:

• Garden designer

• Landscaper

• Kitchen supplier

• Electrician

• Plumber

• Pergola supplier.

Our Garden Project Management page explores how these specialist elements can be coordinated.

Plan the Outdoor Kitchen Before Landscaping Starts

Outdoor kitchens contain more technical requirements than standard garden furniture.

Decisions about:

• Services

• Foundations

• Drainage

• Lighting

should therefore be made before the surrounding garden is completed.

What Information Does a Garden Designer Need?

If an outdoor kitchen has already been selected, useful information may include:

• Dimensions

• Appliance specification

• Utility requirements

• Manufacturer drawings.

Our What Information Does a Garden Designer Need? page provides a wider checklist.

Do I Need Drawings for an Outdoor Kitchen Garden?

For more complex projects, drawings can help coordinate:

• Kitchen

• Pergola

• Paving

• Services

• Lighting.

Our Do I Need Drawings for My Garden? page explores why drawings become increasingly valuable as projects become more detailed.

Outdoor Kitchen Garden Design in North West England

Outdoor kitchens in North West England should be designed around realistic local conditions.

That means considering:

• Rain

• Wind

• Drainage

• Shelter

• Evening temperatures.

A successful outdoor kitchen should not only work during a handful of perfect summer days.

Outdoor Kitchen Garden Design in Lancashire

Lancashire gardens may include:

• Urban homes

• Period properties

• Large rural gardens

• Exposed sites.

Shelter and drainage can have a major impact on usability.

Outdoor Kitchen Garden Design in Cheshire

Cheshire properties can provide opportunities for larger outdoor-living schemes combining:

• Kitchen

• Pergola

• Dining

• Fire

• Lighting

• Mature planting.

The strongest schemes treat these elements as one landscape.

Outdoor Kitchen Garden Design in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester gardens may require additional attention to:

• Privacy

• Overlooking

• Restricted space

• Neighbouring boundaries.

Screens, planting and structures can help create a more comfortable entertaining space.

Outdoor Kitchen Garden Design in Merseyside

Merseyside gardens range from:

• Suburban family gardens

• Period homes

• Coastal properties.

More exposed sites may benefit particularly from careful shelter planning.

Outdoor Kitchen Garden Design in the Ribble Valley

Ribble Valley properties can provide opportunities for outdoor kitchens that remain open to the wider landscape.

Instead of enclosing the entire entertaining area, it may be possible to create:

shelter behind

screening where required

and:

open views towards the countryside.

This can create a much stronger relationship between outdoor cooking and the surrounding landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Kitchen Garden Design

Where should an outdoor kitchen go?

Usually somewhere convenient to the house and dining area, while also considering wind, smoke, views, privacy and services.

Should an outdoor kitchen be next to the house?

Often, but not always. Convenience should be balanced with the wider garden layout.

Does an outdoor kitchen need a pergola?

No. A pergola is useful where shelter, shade, privacy or architectural structure is required.

Can an outdoor kitchen go under a pergola?

Potentially, subject to the specific appliances, structure, ventilation and manufacturer requirements.

How much space do I need around an outdoor kitchen?

Enough for the kitchen, working zone, furniture and comfortable circulation. The correct dimensions depend on the specific layout.

Should the outdoor kitchen face the garden?

Where practical, this can make cooking more sociable and improve views.

How close should the dining table be to the kitchen?

Close enough for convenient serving without obstructing the cooking zone.

Can an outdoor kitchen work in a small garden?

Yes. A compact straight-run kitchen can sometimes integrate very efficiently into a small outdoor room.

Can an outdoor kitchen work in a country garden?

Yes. Materials and planting can be chosen to suit a softer rural landscape.

Can an outdoor kitchen work around a period house?

Yes. Contemporary outdoor living can be integrated sensitively through appropriate materials and landscape design.

What lighting does an outdoor kitchen need?

Task lighting for cooking, softer lighting for dining and wider landscape lighting for atmosphere.

What plants work around an outdoor kitchen?

Choose planting according to the site's soil, aspect, exposure and style. Structural planting is particularly useful for softening cabinetry and pergolas.

Does an outdoor kitchen need drainage?

Some installations and surrounding paved areas will require drainage consideration, particularly where sinks or significant hard landscaping are involved.

When should I choose the outdoor kitchen?

Ideally during the design stage, before paving, services and pergola foundations are finalised.

How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?

See How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?.

How much does landscaping around an outdoor kitchen cost?

It depends on paving, groundworks, pergolas, services, lighting, planting and the wider garden. See How Much Does Landscaping Cost?.

Should I design the whole garden first?

Ideally, yes. This helps ensure the kitchen forms part of the overall landscape rather than becoming a disconnected feature.

Can Kirman Design design and build the whole outdoor kitchen garden?

For suitable projects, an outdoor kitchen can be incorporated into a wider Garden Design & Build project.

A Great Outdoor Kitchen Is Really a Great Garden Space

The success of an outdoor kitchen is not determined by how many appliances it contains.

The:

cooking area should be comfortable.

The:

dining table should be close enough to use easily.

The:

lighting should work after dark.

The:

planting should soften the cabinetry.

The:

shelter should respond to the site.

And beyond the kitchen:

there should still be a garden worth looking at.

That is what transforms:

an outdoor kitchen installed on a patio

into:

a complete outdoor cooking and entertaining landscape.

At Kirman Design, we approach outdoor kitchen garden design by combining:

position + cooking + dining + shelter + paving + planting + lighting + landscape construction.

If you are planning an outdoor kitchen in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley or elsewhere across North West England, integrating it into the complete garden design from the beginning will usually create a more practical, attractive and enjoyable space.