Turning your open-air space into a culinary dreamland is possible by constructing an outdoor cooking area. Using ingenuity and a handful of simple DIY steps, you can create a zone that is both practical and attractive.

Put in a Built-In Chiller

Make your outdoor kitchen better with a stylish built-in chiller, great for keeping your drinks icy and your space tidy.
Make your outdoor kitchen better with a stylish built-in chiller, great for keeping your drinks icy and your space tidy.

Keep drinks cold with a built-in chiller. I put one into my countertop, which keeps drinks icy without taking up extra space.

Check these products out:

  • Arcticool Fridge: Keep drinks cold and easy to get to in your outdoor kitchen with this sleek Arcticool Fridge.
  • ChillWell Drawer: Make your countertop better with a ChillWell Drawer for easy drink storage.
  • IceVault Chest: Put in an IceVault Chest to keep lots of drinks cold for any outdoor party.

Set Up a Chic Pergola for Sun Protection

Turn your outdoor cooking area into a stylish retreat with a hand-built pergola for perfect shade.
Turn your outdoor cooking area into a stylish retreat with a hand-built pergola for perfect shade.

A pergola gives you needed shade and adds a stylish touch to your outdoor cooking area. I am charmed by how mine makes a comfy corner, great for sunny days.

Might be a good match:

  • Shade Haven Pergola Kit: Make a shady spot with a pergola kit that’s easy to put together for your outdoor relaxation.
  • Sunblock Canopy: Get even better sun protection with a strong sunblock canopy for your stylish pergola.
  • Starlight Strings: Brighten up your outdoor cooking area with lovely Starlight Strings, which are fantastic for setting a great mood.

Design a Small Kitchen in an L-Shape

Make your space bigger with a sleek L-shaped outdoor kitchen that’s both useful and fashionable.
Make your space bigger with a sleek L-shaped outdoor kitchen that’s both useful and fashionable.

Even tiny places can look great with an L-shaped design. I managed to fit a grill, small cooler, and food prep area in my small patio, using every bit of space.

Explore these options:

  • Patio Pal Grill: Make the most of your cooking space with a sleek Patio Pal Grill, perfect for small patios and balconies.
  • Chillwell Fridge: Keep your items fresh and handy with a Chillwell Fridge made for outside areas.
  • ProPrep Table: Make prepping food easier with a small, strong ProPrep Table for your outdoor cooking area.

Craft a Traditional Brick Pizza Oven

Change your yard with a hand-built brick pizza oven, a great centerpiece for memorable parties.
Change your yard with a hand-built brick pizza oven, a great centerpiece for memorable parties.

Think about the wonderful smell of freshly prepared pizza spreading across your yard. A DIY brick pizza oven is not just pretty, but it becomes the center of your parties. I once made one using old bricks, and it changed our weekend evenings completely.

These products might help:

  • Heatwave Bricks: Make sure your oven keeps heat safely and well with excellent heat-proof Heatwave Bricks.
  • Oven Thermometer: Check the heat inside your oven accurately, so your pizza is always cooked perfectly.
  • Wood-Burning Toolkit: Get the right tools to manage and cook pizzas like a skilled chef.

Put in a Small Water Feature

Change your outdoor kitchen with a hand-built water feature for a touch of peace.
Change your outdoor kitchen with a hand-built water feature for a touch of peace.

A small water feature makes your space peaceful. I used a simple fountain kit to create a calming area right next to my grill.

Items that may come in handy:

  • AquaZen Kit: Make your outdoor kitchen better with this easy AquaZen Kit for a relaxing feel.
  • HydroSun Pump: Use a HydroSun Pump to power your fountain with sun, saving energy easily.
  • LumiGlow Lights: Add shine to your water with LumiGlow Lights for a great evening look.

Add Personal Touches with Decorations

Change your outdoor kitchen with Marrakesh Tile Set and plants for a personal touch of charm and color.
Change your outdoor kitchen with Marrakesh Tile Set and plants for a personal touch of charm and color.

Personal touches like pretty tiles or planters make the space your own. I used Moroccan tiles for a pop of color and charm.

A few choices to try:

  • Marrakesh Tile Set: Make your outdoor kitchen more charming with colorful Marrakesh Tile Set that add fun and style.
  • TerraBloom Planters: Add plants and style with these great TerraBloom Planters, perfect for herbs and flowers.
  • Artisan Weave Rug: Add comfort and style with an Artisan Weave Rug that looks great in your space.

Build a Useful Sink

Make your outdoor cooking better with this well-made sink, mixing modern use with rustic charm.
Make your outdoor cooking better with this well-made sink, mixing modern use with rustic charm.

Adding a sink makes getting food ready easy. I put in a simple water system using garden hoses, which works well for washing up outside.

Give these a look:

  • AquaFlow Faucet: Make your sink better with this strong AquaFlow Faucet—great for any weather.
  • SteelShine Sink: Make your outdoor kitchen better with a dependable SteelShine Sink, great for getting food ready and cleaning up.
  • HoseLock Kit: Easily hook up your sink to water with this useful HoseLock Kit.

Put in a Stone Countertop

Make your outdoor kitchen better with the timeless beauty of a hand-built stone countertop.
Make your outdoor kitchen better with the timeless beauty of a hand-built stone countertop.

Stone countertops are strong and add a luxurious feel. I used concrete slabs to make a special surface that handles the weather well.

A few things you might like:

  • Stone Shield: Keep your stone countertops safe from weather damage with Stone Shield that’s strong and easy to use.
  • RockBond Adhesive: Hold stones firmly with this excellent RockBond Adhesive, great for your outdoor DIY projects.
  • Gleam Kit: Get a smooth, shiny finish on your concrete surfaces easily with this Gleam Kit.

Create an Outdoor Bar with Reclaimed Wood

Make your outdoor gatherings better with a stunning, eco-friendly bar made from reclaimed wood.
Make your outdoor gatherings better with a stunning, eco-friendly bar made from reclaimed wood.

An outdoor bar is a wonderful place to gather. By using reclaimed wood, I built a bar that’s both eco-friendly and welcoming.

Possibly helpful picks:

  • Skyview Stools: Finish your bar setup with stylish Skyview Stools for comfy seating and a great look.
  • Glimmer Lights: Make your outdoor bar look better with Glimmer Lights, fantastic for evenings.
  • Mixology Set: Equip your outdoor bar with a Mixology Set and wow your guests with cocktails.

Set Up a Grill Station

Make your outdoor cooking better with a stylish FlameMaster Grill that fits smoothly into the surroundings.
Make your outdoor cooking better with a stylish FlameMaster Grill that fits smoothly into the surroundings.

A built-in grill station is the key part of any outdoor cooking area. I customized mine to fit just right with the counter, making a smooth and effective cooking space.

Try these:

  • FlameMaster Grill: Enjoy cooking more with a strong, stylish FlameMaster Grill for perfect outdoor meals.
  • TerraStone Countertop: Make your space better with strong TerraStone Countertop that lasts, perfect for any grilling setup.
  • CoolBreeze Fridge: Keep your food fresh and drinks cold with a sleek, outdoor-rated CoolBreeze Fridge.

Design a Folding Eating Table

Smart Crafting: A Folding Eating Table for Your Outdoor Space
Smart Crafting: A Folding Eating Table for Your Outdoor Space

A folding eating table is great for small spaces. I designed mine to fold away when not in use, saving outdoor space.

Some handy options:

  • FoldAway Hardware: Make your folding table better with strong FoldAway Hardware to make sure it folds smoothly and lasts.
  • WeatherGuard Finish: Keep your outdoor table safe with a great WeatherGuard Finish for long-lasting beauty.
  • GoChair Folding Chairs: Use GoChair Folding Chairs with your table that are easy to carry and comfy.

Create a Living Roof for Your Kitchen

Make your outdoor kitchen better with a beautiful, easy-to-care-for green roof.
Make your outdoor kitchen better with a beautiful, easy-to-care-for green roof.

A green roof not only looks great but also gives insulation. My rooftop garden is filled with plants, keeping it easy to care for and bright.

These products might be useful:

  • Evergreen Tray: Easily put in a bright green roof with Evergreen Tray for good drainage and plant support.
  • Succulent Mix: Add color and texture to your roof with this strong Succulent Mix.
  • RoofGuard Membrane: Make sure your green roof doesn’t leak with this strong RoofGuard Membrane made to last.

Design a Moving Cart for Different Uses

Make your outdoor gatherings better with a hand-built moving kitchen cart that combines style and usefulness.
Make your outdoor gatherings better with a hand-built moving kitchen cart that combines style and usefulness.

A moving cart makes your setup more flexible. I created one from an old trolley, which is great for carrying snacks and drinks during parties.

May just do the trick:

  • Rolling Island: Change your outdoor space with a useful Rolling Island for easy snack and drink service.
  • Outdoor Butler Cart: Make your parties better by adding a stylish Outdoor Butler Cart with lots of space for your things.
  • SipStation Cart: Make your gatherings better with a SipStation Cart, great for serving drinks wherever you want.
Mira Jensen
Author Mira Jensen

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