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Outdoor Kitchens & Bars

7 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for Grillers

The ultimate outdoor cooking space is a grill master’s dream. Imagine your favorite grill, flat top, smoker, or wood-fired pizza oven nestled within custom stonework, smooth counters, a shaded pergola, and lots of space for prepping. Just imagine. If you’re not already drooling, your grilled and smoked delicacies would be the cherry on top.

If you love cooking outside, our team at knows just the outdoor kitchen ideas for grillers to maximize their cooking experience. From luxurious outdoor kitchens to nature-inspired stone work and more, we have a collection of the 10 most irresistible ideas for backyard spaces and grilling aficionados.

1. A Patio with Pergolas for Glorious Shade

Grilling under the grueling sun is no fun. The least you can do for yourself is to add a shaded area for your best work.

That’s where a patio with a shaded pergola can provide the perfect grilling setup. A patio gives you an even surface to work on, while a pergola provides shade. We recommend a pergola for grillers instead of a fully enclosed structure - the airflow provides additional cooling while you’re cooking, and it helps to ensure smoke is dispersed so it doesn’t create build-up and damage.

Or an open porch with a roof for cooking

2. Ample Storage and Countertops

Level up your grill game with plenty of storage and luxurious countertops for prep space. Integrated storage makes it easy to cook up anything on your menu without needing to constantly run in and out of the house. Cabinets provide easy access to your items. Level it up even more with drawers for maximum organization.

With a spacious countertop, prep is easy without feeling cramped. This also gives you the space to cut veggies, season food, and stash finished items while your food is grilling.

3. Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

There’s nothing like the smell of a wood-fired pizza oven working its magic—but it’s even better when you have a stunning setup to match. Think beautiful stonework or bricks surrounding a magnificently crafted pizza oven.

Trust us - once you’ve tasted a wood-fired pizza, you’ll probably never go back to cooking regular pizzas again. The beautiful stonework is the ultimate focal point for a pizza lover or griller—and your family and friends will love it, too.

4. The Coolest Cooking Appliances

Since this blog contains the ultimate outdoor kitchen ideas for grillers, we’d be missing a major point if we didn’t talk about the actual grills themselves. Some of the best outdoor grilling and cooking equipment involves so much more than your standard grill. Here are some of our favorite additions - many of these are available as a built-in for a more seamless look:

Standard gas or charcoal grill - Perfect for grilling basics like hot dogs or burgers
Flat top grill - Ideal for cooking a banging breakfast, steaks, and more
Smoker or pellet grill - This is the ultimate appliance for juicy, smoke-infused flavor
Rotisserie grills - To make better-than-storebought meats
Hot dog roller - For seriously elevated hot dogs
Hibachi grill - To level up your grill game
Outdoor fridge - Don’t waste time dashing in and out of the house
Refrigeration drawers - Store and access perishables easily
Sink and dishwasher - To make cleanup a breeze
Ice maker - For refreshing beverages

There are so many incredible ways to grill or barbecue your favorite meals, and the ultimate grill masters generally have at least one or two.

5. Integrated Entertainment and Tech

Transform your grilling space into a full entertainment center with some quick tech upgrades. A nearby outdoor TV makes it easy to catch the game or the latest episode of your favorite reality TV show while cooking up a meal.

Bluetooth-controlled speakers make it easy to put on some tunes while you grill. A lovely summer day with soft music playing, food sizzling, and your favorite people - it doesn’t get much better than that.

Get a microphone out and host your own outdoor karaoke night!!

6. Nearby Outdoor Bar

Nothing completes a perfect grilling fantasy like a fully stocked outdoor bar and an icy drink just when you need it. A lot of dream grilling spaces come complete with a full kitchen and bar to fill every need.

So many options for kegerator, wine fridge, soda gun fountain system.

A bar also provides a space for guests and family to lounge and chat with you while you cook. With the integrated tech ideas in our previous suggestion - you can create right within your own backyard.

Related Content: Creative Outdoor Bar Ideas

7. Fire Pits for Well-Deserved Relaxation

After a bunch of grilling, fire pits are a great option for some well-deserved relaxation. Whether you have your typical fire ring, a raised fire pit, or glass fire tables, you can create an instantly warm and welcoming environment in your backyard space. Perfect for hosting guests after dinner and having some drinks at the end of the night, it’s the ideal place to wind down. Making s'mores with the kids and for the kid in you!

It’s impossible to choose a fire feature that you won’t like. Consider what an ideal night around the fire looks like and select the type of fire feature that matches your lifestyle. You can’t go wrong—unless you’re desperately wanting a fire feature and don’t get one.

Having problems deciding between wood or a gas fire pit? Maybe connect to that blog also with a link

Design Your Dream Grilling Space with Outdoor Innovations

Ready to design your very own backyard grilling space? Our team at Outdoor Innovations has the skills you need. With a team of expert designers and builders available, we can install any outdoor kitchen ideas for grillers and more. With years of experience under our belt, we craft custom outdoor grilling spaces, living rooms, bars, swimming pools, and more.

Outdoor Innovations Landscaping creates elevated backyards for homeowners in Minnesota. From in-ground pools to luxurious grilling stations to outdoor living rooms, we do it all. Explore our past projects and get a quote online to make your dream backyard a reality.