Don’t let the size of your backyard deter you. You can absolutely build an outdoor kitchen in a small backyard. In fact, our Hampton Roads kitchen designers and contractors love the challenge. A small backyard just means we have to get creative with how we think about and maximize your space. From compact appliances to smart storage solutions, we can create a beautiful and functional outdoor kitchen in even the smallest backyards.
Design Tips for a Small Outdoor Kitchen
The first step in designing any outdoor kitchen is to determine what you actually want and need, and this is especially true with small outdoor kitchens. Once you’ve whittled down your list of outdoor kitchen must-haves, these tips will help you make the most of every square foot.
Compact Appliances
Many homeowners go bigger than they need, especially with the grill, but larger isn’t always better. Think about how many people you’ll be hosting. If you’ll only be grilling for yourself and a couple of family members or friends, downsizing to a smaller grill means more countertop and prep space. The same goes for the refrigerator. While it’d be great to store food and make ice in your outdoor kitchen, reserving the refrigerator for drinks alone allows you to choose a model with fewer cubic feet.
Smart Storage Solutions
Every inch matters in a small outdoor kitchen, so make the most of vertical space with shelves, hooks and overhead cabinetry. If you’ve got room for seating, consider benches and ottomans with hidden storage, and make sure to choose a grill cabinet with a door/drawer combo underneath. Rather than two access doors for the propane tank and gas plumbing, one door is replaced with a set of drawers for dry storage and a place to keep BBQ utensils.
Bar Seating
Dining tables and chairs can take up room you simply don’t have with a small backyard, but bar seating allows you to accommodate guests and add dining area without sacrificing a lot of space. By integrating a bar-height countertop and stools into your grilling island, friends and family become part of the cooking experience, making it easier for you to entertain and converse with your guests, without sacrificing significant square footage.
Creative Layouts
Not all backyards can accommodate the traditional square or L-shaped outdoor kitchen, which is why it’s important to think outside the box. Perhaps a curved island would work better in your space. In some instances, a small island with overhead storage is the key, or two islands across from each other. Maybe it’s not that your yard is small, it’s just an awkward layout. In this case, it might make sense to build a grill island near the house and a separate bar island or firepit in another corner of the yard. It really all depends on what works best in your space.
Work with an Experienced Outdoor Kitchen Designer in Hampton Roads, VA
Building an outdoor kitchen in a small backyard is not for the inexperienced. It’s important to work with an outdoor kitchen design expert who can think creatively and push the limits of your outdoor living area. Whether you’ve got a postage-stamped sized patio, a long and narrow yard, or some other challenging layout, the outdoor kitchen designers and contractors at Marlowe’s We Care Company can design an outdoor kitchen that maximizes your space.
To schedule a free consultation and estimate with an outdoor kitchen designer in Yorktown, Williamsburg or the surrounding Hampton Roads area, contact us online or call 757-527-2083.
