Backyard Hangout

Hangout idea

Outdoor Kitchens

Dinner that never has to go back inside.

An outdoor kitchen earns its keep when it handles a Saturday without a parade of trips through the sliding door. Start with heat and a landing zone, then add water, cold storage, and a counter people can actually lean on. The room is the counter, not the appliances.

Design your hangoutAll ideas

Zone breakdown

  1. 01

    Grill island

    A 6–8 foot run: grill, side burner or plancha, and a stretch of stone for trays. The honest starting point.

  2. 02

    Cook and serve

    Add an undercounter fridge, a sink, and a raised bar so guests face the cook instead of hovering.

  3. 03

    Full outdoor kitchen

    Pizza oven or smoker, proper ventilation, storage, lighting, and weather cover. It behaves like a second kitchen.

What it costs

2026 U.S. residential ballparks, not bids. Site work, permits, and finishes can move a project a full tier.

Entry

$8k–$20k

Quality grill on a modest masonry or steel island, basic counter, no plumbing.

Mid

$20k–$55k

Sink, fridge, better stone, seating overhang, and a roof or pergola over the cook line.

Premium

$55k–$150k+

Custom millwork or masonry, pizza oven, appliance suite, gas/water/power done right, integrated lighting.

Design tips

  • Tip 1

    Put the sink and fridge closer to the table than the grill is. People refill drinks more than they flip steaks.

  • Tip 2

    A 12-inch counter overhang turns a cook station into a hangout. Without it, guests stand in the sun.

  • Tip 3

    Cover the cook line even if the dining table stays open. Rain and grease do not mix with 'we'll just duck inside.'

  • Tip 4

    Run a dedicated gas line and GFCI power before you pick the pretty stone. Retrofits are the expensive part.

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