#Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Shapes and Layout Configurations - The Concrete Network

Nowadays outdoor kitchens are more elaborate extensions of the indoor kitchen and far more sophisticated than a simple charcoal grill. Outdoor kitchens need to be sized appropriately for the space available while meeting the entertaining and dining needs of the homeowner.

Counter Sizing

• Use the equipment list of grill size, appliances and accessories to calculate how much space is required for the counter.
• Allow for placement of a serving platter between each accessory or appliance on the counter. A good rule of thumb is 16 .

Outdoor Kitchen Size Layout

Time: 04:08

Outdoor kitchens are quickly becoming a must have on homes around the country. See how to design, size, and configure an outdoor kitchen to accomodate for your needs. Visit several beautiful backyards with designer/contractor Scott Cohen to get ideas for your home.

Consider entertainment needs to figure out how many serve stations will be needed. If a bartender or caterer will be stationed at the counter regularly, leave a 3-4 foot working space around each.

• Scale your outdoor kitchen appropriately to the backyard space. In a smaller garden be careful not to overweight the size of the counter.
• Working triangles that are talked about so much when designing indoor kitchens are not as applicable outdoors. Of greater consideration is to plan for three main stations or zones .
  1. Preparation zone
  2. Cook zone
  3. Serve zones (food and beverage)

Outdoor Kitchen Counter Layout Basics

• Basic stand alone counter
• L - shaped return
• U-shape
• Split levels for bar service
• Separate cook prep and serve section