Designing the Complete Outdoor Kitchen: Furniture and Workflow Zones

Good outdoor kitchen design starts with mapping the route you take as you move through the space.

Whether you’re the cook or just enjoying the food, you want to move easily from prep space to grill to seating without feeling crowded or in the way.

When designing your outdoor kitchen area, think in three zones: prep, cooking, and serving. With those spaces in mind, you’ll see where outdoor furniture fits best.

And grilling is its own art form (see our grilling tips to learn more). Read on to learn how to set up each of the three zones with four unique layouts.

 

Plan Your Outdoor Kitchen Around Three Workflow Zones

The Prep Zone

An outdoor kitchen works best when you plan it around a prep zone, cooking zone, and serving zone. This keeps everyone comfortable while keeping the food and refreshments flowing. That means prep comes first, so put it right next to the grill and keep the route from the fridge to the prep counter to the grill free of furniture.

• -Never allow raw and cooked food on the same surface, leave plenty of counter space on both sides of the grill.
• -Make sure to keep the food and drink prep area within a quick walk of the indoor kitchen.
• -Walk the route once before you buy anything, and move any piece that blocks a step.

 

The Cooking Zone

As you’re grilling, things can get hot fast. That heat and smoke need somewhere to go, so build your outdoor cooking area away from the house and a good bit away from where your guests will be sitting.

• -Seat guests beside or in front of the cooking area, never behind the grill, where smoke and heat collect.
• -As you design the space, keep a buffer between the cooking zone and the spot where guests settle in.

 

The Serving Zone

With prep and cooking done, the real hosting starts when you pass plates. The serving zone is where the plate lands, so plan your furniture around it.

 

 

A bar-height counter lets guests sit near the cook without crowding the grill, and you'll want about 12 inches of countertop overhang at bar height. For seating, the Hamilton Deck Chair (Bar Height) is a classic crowd favorite, while the Shoreline Bar-Height Stool adds color with a Cove Gray or Coconut White frame and four different trim color options.

 

 

• -Both seats carry a 400lbs weight rating. Plus, they come with a 12 year residential warranty.
• -The Hamilton comes in several colors, including Weathered Acorn, Coastal Teak, Black and Whitewash.
• -All are made in the US from recycled plastic and assembled with 304 stainless steel hardware.

 

Four Outdoor Kitchen Layouts and Furniture for Each Zone

A Compact Layout: Perfect for Backyard Kitchens for Small Patios

Some of the best outdoor kitchen ideas don't need a big yard. For instance, a compact backyard kitchen can be one run of counter with a single bar-height surface. To make the most of the space, outdoor furniture such as the versatile Round 30" Diameter Bistro Table is perfect for both eating in and providing extra counter space. Another great option is the Weatherly 3pc 36in round dining set, which gives you two chairs and a round table at counter height. It's also available at dining height.

 

• -A freestanding bistro table moves when your layout changes.
• -The smaller Round 24" Diameter Bistro Table in bar height fits tighter corners.
• -The Weatherly chairs carry a 400lbs weight capacity.

 

A Medium Layout: An L-Shape With a Dining Table

 

If you have a bit more space, you can make the most of it with an L-shaped kitchen that puts a counter between the cook and the guests. Add a dining table nearby, such as the Lehigh 7pc rectangular outdoor dining set. Use our outdoor dinner party guide to choose the right table size for your crowd.

 

 

• -Choose counter height (36 inches) if the table sits at the kitchen's edge, or dining height (30 inches) if it sits apart. The set comes both ways.
• -A longer 42 in x 84 in version is available for bigger groups.
• -The set is made of 304 stainless steel and comes with a 12-year residential warranty.

 

A Large Layout: A U-Shape With a Lounge Zone

 

 

For larger homes, opt for a U-shaped kitchen setup. This offers the most functional counter space, perfect for a large yard or big patio. If you have room to spare, add a lounge area apart from the cooking zone. The Lehigh Deep Seating 4 Piece Loveseat and Chair Set includes a loveseat, club chair, conversation table, and side table. Plus, the set’s Sunbrella cushions are designed to prevent mildew growth.

 

 

• -Not sure how to build? Buy pieces in stages, from seating to dining.
• -Keep a consistent design palette, and use colors like Coastal Teak, Black, Woodland Brown, and Whitewash.
• -The set is weatherproof, with a 400-pound weight capacity and a 12-year residential warranty.

 

A Poolside Layout: Bar Seating With a View

If you have a pool, design around poolside bar-height seating. This lets your guests face both the cook and the water (and the cook gets a view too!) Our guide to enjoying your outdoor space morning, noon, and night has more ideas for a pool patio that works from the first coffee to the last drink.

 

 

• -Line the Hamilton Deck Chair (Bar Height) or Shoreline Bar-Height Stool along one counter edge.
• -Angle seats toward the pool and away from the setting sun when you can.
• -Keep at least a single clear walkway between the pool and the cooking zone.

 

Common Outdoor Kitchen Design Mistakes to Avoid

Layout and Seating Mistakes

The biggest outdoor kitchen problems happen when you focus more on cooking than on where people will sit and eat. Building too far from the house can lead to long walks to the restrooms, and too little counter space can cause overload quickly. Watch out for seating: stools behind the grill sit in smoke and heat.

• -If you have too little counter space around the grill, you’ll end up juggling hot pans and risking injury to you, your guests, and your meal.
• -If the cooking space lacks shade or sun protection, the cook will feel like the last one to enjoy the outdoor space.
• -Seats placed in or near the walkway risk being bumped by those moving through (and anyone carrying plates!)

 

Common Outdoor Kitchen Material and Maintenance Mistakes

An outdoor kitchen will deal with more than just the elements. It also deals with grease, crumbs, and grill smoke. That’s when high-maintenance furniture turns into a chore. Highwood's recycled poly lumber needs no sanding, staining, or painting.

• -Skip cleaners with aromatic solvents, and test any unfamiliar product on a hidden spot first.
• -Light scratches rub out with steel wool, just make sure to move with the embossing pattern.
• -Store cushions during winter. Keep them out of the rain or indoors to stay dry and help prevent mildew or mold growth.

 

Key Takeaways

• -An outdoor kitchen works best when you plan it in three zones: prep, cooking, and serving, with furniture placed where the plate lands.
• -Keep any grill at least 10 feet from the home, and leave a buffer between cooking spaces and where guests will sit.
• -Each layout type (compact, medium, large, and poolside) calls for a different mix of outdoor furniture. Include bistro tables, bar-height seating, dining sets, and lounge seating best suited for each space.
• -Weatherly, Hamilton, Shoreline, and Lehigh pieces are all built with weatherproof poly lumber with 304 stainless steel hardware, offering a smaller footprint and easier cleaning.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you design an outdoor kitchen layout?

Good outdoor kitchen design starts with three zones: prep, cooking, and serving. Place prep next to the grill, give the cooking zone distance from the house and guests, and put bar-height seating on the serving side.

What furniture do you need for an outdoor kitchen?

Most outdoor kitchens need a variety of seating and tables. Most sizes will be well served with bar-height seating on the serving side, plus a bistro table or dining set for eating. If you have room in the space, you can add a conversation set to create more seating.

How much seating overhang does an outdoor kitchen bar need?

When designing your kitchen area, plan on about 12 inches of overhang at bar height. Go for a little more at lower counter heights so guests have plenty of room for their knees.

Where should seating go in an outdoor kitchen?

Place seating beside or in front of the cooking area to keep guests out of smoke and heat. Keep a good buffer between the cooking zone and the seating area, and leave a clear walkway between all three zones.

How do you clean outdoor kitchen furniture made of poly lumber?

Wash with water and dish soap, brush the grain with a soft-bristled brush, and rinse. Avoid cleaners with aromatic solvents, use a power wash for a deeper seasonal clean, and rub light scratches out with steel wool in the direction of the embossing.