Once you start dining and entertaining alfresco in a luxurious outdoor kitchen, you’ll never want to cook indoors again. Unsurprisingly, the outdoor kitchen trend remains popular following the pandemic-fueled years where the only option to socialize safely was to take the party outside.

Despite the return to normalcy, outdoor kitchens continue to be an in-demand design element, according to a recent report on trends in kitchen and bathroom design from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Released in 2023, its home design trends survey found that at the end of 2020, outdoor kitchens topped the list of popular home features among 50% of respondents.

Additionally, Atlas Ceramics, a UK-based provider of high-quality tile products, examined popular trends on Instagram and TikTok, as well as global Google search data, and found that in 2022, outdoor kitchens ranked a trend score of 9.65 out of a possible 10. The keyword “outdoor kitchens” inspired 2.18 million Google searches, 71.7 million views of related TikTok videos and 474,767 uses of the phrase as an Instagram hashtag.

For high-end homeowners, adding an outdoor kitchen into your year-round home or summer property presents a valuable investment opportunity that can improve harmony and flow between outdoor and interior spaces while creating a year-round outdoor entertainment oasis. If you’re considering adding a luxurious outdoor kitchen to your home or renovating your current design, review our ideas below to help inspire your design or remodel.

Location, Location, Location

Much like their interior counterparts, the perfect outdoor kitchen meshes seamlessly with your needs. While the average homeowner can make do with a basic grill and simple outdoor seating, your outdoor kitchen should have everything you need to cook, work or entertain. The first order of business is collaborating with your designer and landscaper to ensure they select the perfect location for your outdoor kitchen. Some of these considerations can help:

  • Flow – Will your outdoor kitchen be used as an extension of your home’s footprint? If you and your guests plan on moving between the indoors and outdoors throughout the night, placing your outdoor kitchen near a set of double French doors or tucked underneath a covered patio could make you forget your outdoor kitchen is, in fact, outdoors. If you’d prefer a lush garden retreat, consider setting it farther away from the house with natural barriers of trees and plants to create a peaceful place to socialize.
  • Assess your space – When it comes to appliances designed to withstand outdoor elements, the sky’s the limit. From outdoor refrigeration to cooking and storage products, many premium appliances can deliver the same performance and style you expect inside your home, according to Clarke Living. Remember to account for the significant heat generated by some of these appliances in your seating plan. Guests can quickly become overwhelmed by heat or smoke, forcing them to relocate. If you’re keen to show off your cooking skills, placing an island with bar seating nearby can give your guests a place to watch and socialize without being too close.
  • Garden to table – When you cook, it’s important that your family, friends and guests enjoy quality, organic ingredients to safeguard their continued health. If you’re one of the many who enjoys growing their food, consider incorporating your garden into your outdoor kitchen. Placing your outdoor kitchen near a frequently used garden bed can make harvesting ingredients a breeze. If you prefer to keep these spaces separate, consider putting common cooking herbs, such as basil, oregano and thyme, in smaller planters within your reach.

Technology

Take advantage of the many high-end consumer items and tools designed to make the outdoors more enjoyable for hosts and guests. All of these elements can easily be incorporated into an outdoor kitchen design:

  • Appliances – As mentioned earlier, your outdoor kitchen can host the same high-quality appliances you rely on daily. When determining what appliances you need, think about the meals you or your home chef plan on regularly making and the maximum number of people for which you’ll be cooking. Your outdoor kitchen should be able to handle the necessary prep work, clean up and cooking methods you prefer, such as grilling, baking and roasting, just to name a few. You can always make adjustments to include more appliances and change seating areas if necessary.
  • Environment – Don’t let a sudden storm or heat wave delay your garden party. Covering your outdoor kitchen with a lavish pergola, roof or awning can give your guests a safe place to wait out the storm in comfort. With app-enabled and motorized options available, you can control shutters and shades from your smartphone with the press of a button or set up an automation that takes care of the entire process for you. Other options include mounting an outdoor fan, evaporative cooler or misting system inside the structure. If you live in a region that experiences cold weather, propane and electric heaters can help you weather frigid temperatures. Conversely, if you live in a wildfire-prone area, work with your designer to ensure your outdoor kitchen plans won’t put you, your property or your guests at risk.
  • Entertainment – What social gathering is complete without your favorite playlist or movie to set the mood? Luckily, many all-weather outdoor sound and entertainment systems offer the same superior sound and picture quality you’ve come to expect in your home theater. These systems should be completely weatherproof and seamlessly blend in with your design and the surrounding landscape. These scalable systems can easily be adjusted to accommodate small, intimate gatherings or large events.

Style

Now that we’ve covered the importance of location, amenities and the technology you can use to bring your vision to life, let’s talk about one of the most important aspects of your sophisticated outdoor kitchen: bringing it to life in style.

From the blue-tiled outdoor kitchens of the Greek islands to the stone and brick styles of Tuscany, there are many places to find inspiration for your new space. Ensure all the materials you select for the project have been properly treated to withstand the climate.

  • Staying close to home – If you want your outdoor kitchen to be seen as a seamless extension of your home, take style tips from the textures and materials around your property. Carrying these elements through to the outdoors will give the spaces cohesion and make your outdoor kitchen feel as if it’s always been a part of the property — rather than a recent addition.
  • Look to the natural world – Capture current style trends and develop a timeless space you can enjoy for years by incorporating an organic aesthetic inspired by the natural splendor around you. Earth tones, such as terracotta, sage green and beige, have been making their way down the runway, while natural materials, such as wood, stone and concrete, add texture and a subtle pop of color on walls, furniture and throughout the space.

Updating your home with a new or renovated outdoor kitchen is a beneficial addition that can improve your home’s value and enjoyment with additional space for cooking, entertaining and socializing with loved ones. Investing in quality pieces that match your timeless sense of style and ongoing fashion trends while surrounded by the beauty of the natural world will create a space you can enjoy for years to come.

Always connect with your Gallagher insurance advisor before you start work on your outdoor kitchen. Not only will your insurance coverage likely need to be adjusted due to this significant investment, but your trusted advisor can provide valuable insight into your insurance needs for the project. Some carriers need to be notified before the start of construction and may have recommendations to decrease your chance of loss during and after the project.