Outdoor kitchens can be small and practical or large and luxurious. Whichever type you have, these unique ways you can spruce up your outdoor kitchen area will make your outdoor entertainment area the envy of the neighborhood. Just keep in mind that everything must be weather-resistant, or removable for storage during storms or winter cold.

Plants

Put the “outdoor” in your outdoor kitchen with plants: use hanging baskets, wall- or fence-climbing vines, or save a spot for a flower border. Make sure you’re using non-toxic plants, and plan appropriately for the amount of sun or shade each plant needs.

Lighting

Use lanterns, strings of twinkle lights, and weatherproof overhead or pendant lights. Make sure prep and cooking areas have enough light for the cook and guests to see clearly. Light attracts insects, but simple fans can often deter them. Mosquitos are poor fliers that will struggle against the airflow of a fan.

Music

A waterproof streaming speaker can add the ambiance of your favorite playlist to your outdoor kitchen. These small enhancements are unobtrusive on a countertop or bar, and lend a festive atmosphere for entertaining.

Water Feature

A gently bubbling fountain adds ambient sound as you prep meals, or enjoy an after-dinner drink with friends in your outdoor kitchen area. The sound of trickling water is soothing and acts as a fitting reminder that, no matter how luxurious the kitchen area, you’re still outside, surrounded by nature, with birds, breezes, and plants.

Surfaces

Stone is a natural choice for outdoor kitchen surface areas. Incorporate custom stone countertops in Denver or natural granite boulders or stone walls as boundary markers in Maine. Stone makes a stunning backsplash or unique decoration for the front wall or your outdoor bar. Choose textures and colors that blend with the natural environment of your outdoor kitchen space.

Cushions

Changing seat cushions or barstools is a simple way to spruce up your outdoor kitchen area. Keep an alternate set of seat cushions stored in a deck box or on a shelf in the garage to replace soiled cushions or just add a new color scheme to the kitchen area.

Pizza Oven

Even if your outdoor kitchen has been up and running for a few years, it may still be possible to add a pizza oven. Pizza is a standard item for outdoor dining, but cooking a pizza yourself in your own pizza oven makes it an event. Plus, you don’t have to shuttle between your inside kitchen and outdoor guests: with an outdoor pizza oven, you can cook and serve without abandoning your post as host of the party.

Outdoor kitchen areas are becoming more popular as homeowners want to spend more time enjoying the outside spaces of their homes. Making a few additions or changes to your outdoor kitchen keeps it inviting for friends and family.