Outdoor Kitchen Layouts and Dimensions: How to Choose the Right One

Updated September 2026

Most of the outdoor kitchen decisions people agonize over can be changed later. The grill, the finishes, the appliances. The layout cannot. Once the footprint is set and the utilities are run, the shape of that kitchen is the shape you live with.

There are five layouts we build most often, and the right one depends less on your budget than on how much room you have and whether you want guests standing beside you or across from you. 

Let’s face it, the kitchen has been a staple for social gatherings for as long as there have been social gatherings. Food is a universal uniter. We all have to eat, so why not make it an enjoyable experience?

There is something primal about cooking over an open flame, and yet it is something not achievable in most residential kitchens. An outdoor kitchen is not only a unique way to prepare meals, it can also be incredibly rewarding and far easier than most people think. Outdoor kitchens are not too dissimilar to an indoor kitchen. In fact, most any appliance you can put in an indoor kitchen you can install in an outdoor kitchen.

What Kind of Cook Are You?

The first question I’ll ask a client is: What do you like to cook? The answer helps me tailor the design to your skills and habits.

If your idea of a standard BBQ consists of steaks, burgers, and hot dogs, a quality four-burner built-in gas grill in the 32-inch range covers you well. Natural gas or propane both work, and the choice usually comes down to whether a gas line already reaches the area.

Perhaps you are like me and have loftier goals of making sauces and grilled vegetables. A built-in double side burner is a great addition that lets you cook with sauce pans and skillets without taking up space on your grill.

Griddles have become extremely popular recently and are great for vegetables, omelets, sausages, and steaks. Built-in griddles in the 30 inch range integrate directly into the counter run rather than sitting on top of it.

Do you crave that irresistible flavor of charcoal or wood flame? Then perhaps a Kamado style ceramic grill is necessary. These grill, smoke, and even roast meats while providing that delicious smoky flavor that only charcoal can produce.

Speaking of smoky flavor, how about a smoker? Most smokers are stand alone units and come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and fuel types. The most common is an electric pellet grill and smoker combo. Not only can you grill up burgers or steaks, you can also slow smoke a pork butt or beef brisket with professional results. Today’s pellet smokers take a lot of the guesswork out of smoking meats, and many are WiFi enabled so you can monitor the cook from anywhere.

Who Are You Cooking For?

Weekend family dinners and a block party for fifty are different design problems. Grill size is where that difference shows up first.

 

Grill size	Burners	Cooks for	Roughly
32 inch	Four	A family or a small gathering	28 burgers at once
40 inch	Five	Ten or more people	36 burgers at once
48 inch and up	Six or more	The whole block	50+ burgers at once

 

One thing you will need to determine is the number of cooking appliances in your configuration. If you have multiple cooking surfaces, meaning a grill, side burner, and griddle, then you may not need as large of a grill. You can cook vegetables on the griddle, baked beans on the side burner, and steaks on the grill, all with room to spare.

What appliances and storage options will you need?

Progress! Now we know what we’re cooking and how we’re cooking it. Next up, the appliances and add-ons.

The most requested appliance after the grill is a refrigerator. Outdoor refrigeration is worth specifying carefully, because outdoor rated units are built to handle the elements and endure extreme temperatures in a way indoor units are not. A 24 inch outdoor rated compact refrigerator holds plenty of beverages and fits snugly right underneath the countertop.

The next most important element of an outdoor kitchen is storage. Often overlooked, the storage capacity in your outdoor kitchen can make or break the whole experience. Having to run inside every few minutes for utensils, hot pads, matches, or a flashlight takes you away from your guests. The most basic storage system is the access door. At a minimum, I strongly recommend having an access door underneath the main grill. This door allows access to the gas or propane shut off, as well as convenient storage for bulky items.

Another add-on that might end up being your most appreciated feature is a roll-out trash and recycling bin. A 20 inch stainless steel combination unit makes disposal convenient, so you’ll never need to trek back inside your home to throw things away.

Something else to consider is storage drawers. An access door and triple drawer combination gives you drawer storage for smaller items like grilling utensils, lighters, flashlights, or cleaning supplies. The large storage door handles bulky items like bagged charcoal, smoking wood chunks, and grilling baskets, and several storage door options include built-in paper towel holders.

Which configuration suits your outdoor living space best?

Once we have established your list of necessary appliances and add-ons, the next big question is how it all fits. Outdoor kitchen layout ideas often follow the same configurations that indoor kitchens follow. Any interior designer will tell you the importance of the kitchen work triangle. Kitchens should be designed for efficiency in order to minimize movement, and a layout that keeps the heat, the prep surface, and the cold storage close together makes cooking for a crowd comfortable rather than tiring.

What Layout Suits You?

Typically, our outdoor kitchen layout designs follow the same options as interior kitchen layouts: galley, L-shaped, peninsula, island, or U-shaped. However, unlike an indoor kitchen that is constrained by walls, windows, and doors, an outdoor kitchen has far greater freedom to grow. An outdoor kitchen may be confined to an existing patio space or even a covered deck. But if we are approaching the design with the sense of a blank slate, then the only constraints are those of the imagination and budget. Using that freedom well means designing around the work triangle deliberately rather than simply running counter in a line.

Here are the five configurations we build, what each one measures, and who each one suits.

The Galley Outdoor Kitchen Layout

Two parallel counter runs facing each other with a working aisle between them.

Typical dimensions: each run 8 to 12 feet long at 30 inch depth, with a 4 to 5 foot aisle between them 

Minimum patio footprint: roughly 14 by 12 feet 

Seating: none built in, since both runs serve as working surfaces

The galley delivers the most counter surface and the tightest work triangle of any layout, which makes it the serious cook’s configuration. It places the cook facing one run at a time, so it works best where the kitchen sits adjacent to a separate seating area.

Best for narrow spaces, side yards, and households where cooking takes priority over hosting from behind the counter.

The L-Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Layout

Two perpendicular runs meeting at a corner. This is the most common outdoor kitchen layout we build, and for good reason.

Typical dimensions: legs of 8 to 12 feet and 6 to 10 feet, 30 inch counter depth, 36 inch counter height 

Minimum patio footprint: roughly 12 by 14 feet 

Seating: 3 to 5 stools 

The corner does the work. It separates the grill zone from the prep zone naturally, and it lets guests sit along one leg while you cook on the other, so people stay in the conversation without standing in the heat. That arrangement is what most homeowners picture once they think through an actual evening.

Best for most patios, most households, and anyone who wants one kitchen that both cooks and hosts.

The Island Outdoor Kitchen Layout

A freestanding unit with access on all four sides, placed anywhere on the patio.

Typical dimensions: 6 to 10 feet long by 3 to 4 feet deep, with 3.5 to 4 feet of clearance on every side 

Minimum patio footprint: roughly 16 by 12 feet 

Seating: 3 to 6 stools on the non-working side

An island preserves sightlines, which is the reason to choose it. Nothing sits against a wall, the view of the pool or the lawn stays open, and the cook faces whichever direction the party is in. Plan for clearance on all four faces, since an island uses more patio than its footprint suggests, and running gas, water, and power to a freestanding unit costs more than running them along an edge.

Best for large open patios, poolside kitchens, and spaces where keeping the view open matters.

The U-Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Layout

Three connected runs enclosing the cook on three sides.

Typical dimensions: three runs of 6 to 10 feet each, with a 4 to 5 foot interior working space

Minimum patio footprint: roughly 18 by 16 feet

Seating: 4 to 8 stools along the outer face of one run

This is the full outdoor kitchen. Maximum counter, maximum appliance capacity, and enough separate zones to run a grill, a griddle, a side burner, and a prep area at once. It asks for the most patio and the largest budget of the five.

Best for households cooking for large groups regularly, with the square footage to support it.

Outdoor Kitchen Layout Comparison

Layout	Minimum patio footprint	Built-in seating	Counter space	Relative cost
Galley	14 x 12 ft	None	Highest	Moderate
L-shaped	12 x 14 ft	3 to 5	Good	Moderate
Island	16 x 12 ft	3 to 6	Moderate	Higher, utility runs
U-shaped	18 x 16 ft	4 to 8	Highest	Highest

 

Will You Need a Bar Top?

If you answered yes to this question, then we need to design the space with your guests in mind. How much do you want to incorporate them into the experience of cooking? Great conversations happen in the kitchen, so would you like the design to cater to having guests surround the chef? If you choose an L-shaped layout, would you like guests to sit to the side of the prep area so you can serve them food away from the hot grills?

On dimensions, a raised bar top typically sits at 42 inches against a 36 inch counter, and each stool needs about 24 inches of width. A 6 foot bar seats three people comfortably.

If you answered no to this question, then the kitchen design becomes fairly standard in layout. Its sole purpose is to provide a space to prepare incredible food, and you’ll be serving it around your fire pit, seat walls, or outdoor fireplace.

Why in-ground fire pits outperform store-bought models Fire pit cost, gas versus wood, sizing and clearance, permits, and the 67% return on investment a built-in pit delivers.

Will a Television Unify the Space?

Almost as important as the delicious food you are serving is the outdoor television component. Will you or won’t you? Is the space meant to combine great company, fantastic food, and an exciting baseball game, or insert any other incredibly exciting sport here? The reason this question is essential to your layout comes down to several factors. Will you need to attach the TV to your house? Do you have electric outlets near it? Can your guests get a good view of the game if they are watching from the bar top? We want to make the most of the space and create a working layout if a television is going to be included.

Will You Need a Rooftop Covering?

Lastly, you have options for how your outdoor kitchen will be covered. A pavilion, pool house, or pergola are the most common choices. If you choose to have your outdoor kitchen under a roof, then how about your guests? Is it important to you that guests have seating at a bar top, under cover and protected from the elements?

See our custom carpentry work Pergolas, pavilions, arbors, trellises, and fences built to make your space more functional and inviting.

Our design team doesn’t necessarily approach every outdoor kitchen design the same way, because every backyard is different as is every client. I design for the client, first and foremost, which means the dimensions above are starting points rather than rules. An outdoor kitchen is a significant investment, and a lot of thought and care goes into the design, both in functionality and aesthetics. Speaking of aesthetics, let’s discuss the finishing touches.

How do you want to make your outdoor kitchen stand above all the rest?

Let your personality take over in the final stage of designing your ultimate outdoor kitchen. With a variety of options available to you, we can make this outdoor kitchen worthy of the gatherings you’ll host.

Stone and stainless steel tend to be the two most common trends in an outdoor kitchen. Stainless steel has been prized for its corrosion resistance for over 200 years, so it makes perfect sense that the vast majority of premium outdoor kitchen appliances are made from this durable iron alloy. Stainless steel resists rust and corrosion while also withstanding freezing temperatures and extreme heat.

One of the most common finishes for the kitchen structure is natural stone veneer. The majority of outdoor kitchens we build at Elevate Outdoor are constructed with a steel stud interior frame, clad in cement board such as USG Durock Brand, then veneered with a thin cut natural stone. This is a timeless look, and with the multitude of available stone veneers out there, we can match the existing finishes of your home for a fully integrated installation.

Another equally satisfying finish material we enjoy working with is the Ashlar Tandem Wall system by Belgard. This manufactured material mimics the beauty of natural stone in a modular system that is quick to install, and therefore less expensive than natural stone. We are the only Belgard Master Craftsman in the Greater St. Louis area, which is the highest certification an outdoor design and build company can hold. We install more than 20,000 square feet of Belgard products a year and back our work with a five-year workmanship warranty.

Granite countertops are prized not just for their beauty but also for their unmatched durability. More often than not, we are installing granite countertops in our outdoor kitchens. Granite withstands Missouri’s extreme weather while keeping a timeless beauty for years of worry free use. Softer stone such as marble is more porous, which can result in staining or even breakage outdoors, so we recommend saving it for indoor installations.

How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?

The finish shapes the total more than most homeowners expect. All dollar figures in this section stay exactly as they are.

Most outdoor kitchens land between $20,000 and $40,000. A basic modular kit starts around $10,000, and a full U-shaped build with multiple cooking appliances, refrigeration, a bar top, and natural stone veneer runs $60,000 to $70,000.

Three decisions shape the number most:

1. Layout and footprint More linear feet of counter means more framing, cladding, and countertop material. The comparison table above ranks the five configurations by relative cost.
2. Appliance tier The gap between a solid mid-tier built-in grill and a premium one is significant, and it compounds as you add a side burner, a griddle, refrigeration, and drawer systems.
3. Finish material Thin cut natural stone veneer sits at the top of the range, since every piece gets set by hand. The Belgard Ashlar Tandem Wall system reproduces the look of natural stone in a modular format that installs faster and costs less. Both produce a finished result, and choosing between them is a useful lever if the first number comes back above plan.

Phasing is a good option when the full scope runs past this year’s budget. We build outdoor kitchens in stages regularly, holding one cohesive design across the whole project, so the structure and grill can go in now with the refrigeration, bar top, and covering following later.

Read our guide to paver patio costs What paver patios cost, the return they deliver, and what goes into the number. An outdoor kitchen needs a patio underneath it, so pricing both together gives you the complete picture.

Review financing options Same-as-cash and low-interest plans through third party accredited lenders.

Outdoor Kitchen Plans, Drawings, and 3D Design

Committing to an outdoor kitchen is easier once you can see it. A quote lists a grill model and a square footage, and the drawings are what show you how the space will feel to stand in.

Before anything gets built, we produce the plans that make the design visible:

Full-color 2D plans An overhead layout showing the kitchen, its relationship to the patio, and the surrounding beds and features.

Dimension plans The measured drawing our crews build from, showing exact counter runs, appliance cutouts, and clearances.

3D design A rendered birds-eye view of your property with the kitchen in place, showing how the layout sits against the house and the yard.

Material palettes The stone, paver, and countertop selections side by side, so the finish decision happens with samples in hand.

Settling the layout on paper is also where the budget benefits. Adjusting a grill cutout on a drawing is free. Adjusting it after the framing is clad is not.

See our design process and plan tiers What each design package includes, how the consultation works, and design pricing.

Walk through our design and build process The steps from first consultation through design, scheduling, installation, and final walkthrough.