Planning an outdoor kitchen that works in a British garden

Where to put it

Close to the back door is practical for carrying food and plates. Think about smoke and prevailing wind, so it does not blow into the house or a neighbour's garden, and leave space for people to stand and sit around it. A level, solid base such as a patio or a properly framed deck is essential.

Shelter

A pergola with a clear or solid roof lets you cook in light rain and gives shade in summer. Keep any roof well clear of the heat and smoke from a grill, and check the manufacturer's clearances for any appliance under cover.

Frame and worktop materials

Outdoor units face rain, frost and sun, so materials matter.

• Frame: treated timber, masonry or metal, raised off the ground so it drains.
• Doors and cladding: durable timber, composite or weather rated boards.
• Worktops: stone, porcelain or concrete stand up to weather and heat better than most indoor materials.
• Fixings: stainless steel or galvanised so they do not rust and stain.

Services

Lighting and sockets need an outdoor rated supply installed and certified by a qualified electrician. A sink needs a water supply and somewhere for waste water to go. Gas appliances should be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Laying ducts for these under a patio before it is finished saves lifting paving later.

Start simple and add later

Many people start with a barbecue area and worktop under a pergola, then add a sink, fridge or pizza oven over time. Planning the space for later additions now means each step fits without rebuilding.

Cleaning, storage and winter

Think about where utensils, charcoal or gas bottles and covers will be kept. Closed cupboards keep things dry and tidy, but they need drainage holes and airflow so condensation does not collect inside. Gas bottles need ventilated storage and must not be kept in a sealed cupboard.

Plan for winter from the start. Water supplies to an outdoor sink should have an isolating valve and a way to drain the pipe so it does not freeze. Appliances and worktops benefit from fitted covers when not in use, and timber around the kitchen needs the same treatment as any other garden structure. A simple layout with a good worktop either side of the grill, and a light over the cooking area, is often more useful day to day than an elaborate one.

Seating is part of the kitchen, not an afterthought. People gather around whoever is cooking, so a bar height counter or a table close to the grill makes the space more sociable. Leave clear space in front of the cooking area so nobody has to squeeze past hot surfaces, and think about where children and pets will be when the barbecue is lit.

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