Outdoor Kitchen Trends of 2024

In the warm weather months, you’re probably looking to spend more time outside. With more time at home and warmer weather, homeowners coast to coast want more from their outdoor spaces. Outdoor kitchens have been top of mind and there’s no doubt that spending time outside is a healthy way to enjoy the season.

Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or if you recently developed a passion for cooking, there are a wide array of outdoor cooking appliances that will take home meals to the next level.

Outdoor kitchens have been a top priority for families remodeling in this new stay-at-home era. There are some positive benefits to cooking at home as most home cooks save money and calories. Home-cooked meals can be fun and creative. Get your family and kids involved in the kitchen. Luxury items like built-in artisan pizza ovens and flat top Asado grills, once viewed as extras – are making it to the top of families' wish lists.

Spending time outside is fun for family and guests. Whether you’re playing in the yard, cooking a delicious meal, or roasting marshmallows around a fire pit, summer is a great time to build memories that your family will cherish.

Top Trending Outdoor Kitchen Appliances

We see more yards with outdoor kitchen islands. Outdoor kitchen cabinets are made of weatherproof cabinetry or stone hardscape. There are options out there for yards of every size. You can create a functional outdoor kitchen with as little as 4 feet of space. Modular islands are a great budget-friendly solution and come ready for built-in outdoor appliances such as built-in gas grills, access doors, and even refrigerators. If you have a lot of space and want to include a wide variety of appliances, build a custom island that can house a wide variety of outdoor cooking appliances.

A great barbecue grill is the centerpiece of any outdoor cooking area. Freestanding grills, post-mount grills, and portable grills are a solution for small spaces. There are a wide variety of solutions out there for any space and budget.

Built-in grills are installed into outdoor cabinetry or a stone hardscape. Many built-in gas grills have a rotisserie option for slow-cooked meats. Select a grill with a smoker box and add wood chips for a delicious barbecue flavor. Many grills today come with backlit control knobs and extra lighting so you can keep the party going, even after dark.

In addition to the grill, consider the items you use for cooking and meal prep every day in your indoor kitchen. Outdoor refrigerators, sinks, faucets, and storage solutions are a few of the many great products you can add to make a functional outdoor cooking space.

Not sure what to add besides a grill? We are seeing a surge in additional outdoor cooking products so you can expand your outdoor cooking menu and serve up a wider variety of food items outside. There are many outdoor cooking appliances available today. From built-in barbecue grills, pizza ovens, smokers, side burners, and even flat-top grills, you can choose the best appliances for your outdoor cooking creations. Some outdoor appliances even have smart (wi-fi) capabilities so that you can follow step-by-step recipes for perfect results every time.

If you’re looking for a companion to your outdoor barbecue, consider a griddle. These grills are powered by a gas burner and feature a large smooth cooking surface that heats up quickly and evenly. Flat-top grills are great for teppanyaki cooking, breakfast foods, delicate cuts of fish, toasted buns, and hot sandwiches.

If you’re looking for a companion product or alternative to a traditional gas grill, consider a pellet grill, a charcoal grill, or a smoker. These grills typically take longer to cook than a gas grill; however, they deliver exceptional flavor. Some grills out there have multiple functions like a smoker/pellet grill, gas/charcoal, or gas/smoker to provide even greater versatility.

Take your next neighborhood barbecue to the next level with a pizza oven. Making pizza can be a fun activity the whole family will love. Plus, these outdoor hearth ovens are great for other dishes like baked bread, wild salmon on cedarwood, or even steak.

Side burners are a great companion product for your barbecue grill. Think steak & eggs, stir-fry, or slow-cooked risotto to accompany your grilled meals.

Warming drawers are a great addition to any outdoor entertainment space. Keep hot foods ready to serve at a safe temperature for up to three hours without overcooking or drying out your meal. Warming drawers are also a great addition to any poolside area for warm towels at the ready.

Grilling can be messy. Adding an outdoor sink and faucet to your outdoor grill space will make alfresco cooking a breeze. Outdoor faucets are great for rinsing veggies, washing your hands after marinating meats, and easy clean-up. Outdoor sinks can double as a built-in cooler with a large bag of ice.

Just like with your indoor kitchen, having outdoor cabinets and storage will help keep you organized. Add a water-tight sealed pantry to your outdoor island or even below your grill to store paper goods, napkins, and cooking tools. Paper towel holders, built-in trash / recycle centers, and access doors are all popular additions.

Creating an outdoor entertainment space has become a priority as entertaining alfresco is the safest way to spend time with family and friends this summer. If you like to entertain, you can create a space that is both fun and functional. Whether you’re sipping your favorite summer wine, or want to host a neighborhood cocktail extravaganza, you can find the right outdoor appliances that best fit your entertaining needs and space.

The first step to designing an outdoor entertainment space is to think about how you entertain today. What types of meals and beverages are you serving your guests? Do you experience any challenges now that you would like you new space to solve? Think about how new outdoor living appliances can take your gatherings to the next level.

There are so many great outdoor appliances that can help you get the party started.

Refrigerator drawers are a great addition to any outdoor cooking station or bar area. Fridge drawers provide an easy way to store burgers, condiments, hot dogs, beverages, and drinks. They keep ready-to-cook items at a safe temperature.

Make store-bought ice a thing of the past with top-quality clear ice cubes made right in your backyard. Whether you're serving lemonade, soft drinks, or signature cocktails, a built-in icemaker will provide access to great-tasting ice all the time.

Whether you're entertaining guests on your deck or enjoying a nice craft cocktail by the fire pit for a date night in, consider an outdoor bar.. Outdoor bars have a built-in sink that can hold ice for hours at a time. An outdoor bar with a speed rail is great for easy access to essentials. An included cutting board is great for cutting lemons, limes, and other garnishes. Some outdoor bars even come with a built-in blender.

For beer lovers, adding an outdoor kegerator can be fun. Outdoor tap dispensers keep kegs of beer or wine at the proper temperature. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite brews for a few weeks at a time. They are typically undercounter refrigerators that can come as single or dual tap units. Kegerator refrigerators keep your favorite beers cold and ready to go for your next party. Since they can keep beer fresh for a few weeks, you don’t have to drink it all at one time.

This year, we noticed a rapid growth in outdoor living renovations. Creating an outdoor living space is an investment. Not just for the resale value of your home, but for your future happiness for years to come.

There are so many ways to customize an amazing outdoor space that you and your family will enjoy. Whether you have a small terrace or sprawling yard, there is a wide variety of products and solutions for everyone. We’ve highlighted the latest trends and products. With these upgrades, you’ll be ready to host the perfect social distancing barbecue, backyard lawn games with the family, or even a date night in.

For most remodelers, the biggest challenge is where to get started. Although landscaping, plants, and flowers are important for creating a beautiful yard, think outside the box! Take a step back and think about your lifestyle.

Outdoor Recreation Areas

Dedicated outdoor recreation areas are popular right now, and the possibilities are limitless. Backyard putting greens, lawn games, fire pits, swimming pools, and basketball hoops are more popular than ever before. Transforming your yard into a recreation area is a safe way to get your family outside this summer.

Outdoor refrigerators and freezers are a great addition to any outdoor recreation space. Grab cold beverages on the go and keep summer treats like popsicles and ice cream right where you enjoy them most.

A Relaxing Retreat

If you’re planning for a relaxing retreat, consider a pergola adorned with bistro lights and furnished with comfortable outdoor furniture. Outdoor ceiling fans suspended from a permanent structure can provide much-needed air movement on hot summer days. Daybed swings, hammocks, and covered chaise lounges are popular this year.

If you’re going to curl up with a good book this summer, make sure to provide enough shade. There is a wide variety of canopy options, from temporary umbrellas to more permanent arbors and gazebos.

Consider unwinding with a refreshing glass of your favorite wine. Adding a wine cooler or beverage center to your outdoor gathering place is a great way to store your favorite beverages outside without having to make extra trips into the house. Plus, many of the outdoor wine and beverage centers have a lock option to keep your collection safe when you’re away.

Upcycle Existing Structures

If you already have an existing structure, like an old barn, consider remodeling it into a kid’s hangout or dedicated hobby area. There’s so much inspiration out there. Backyard reading nooks, crafting corners, art studio, or even a “movie theater.”

If your existing structure is indoors, many different appliances can give your backyard retreat functionality. Adding a stackable space washer dryer set can be convenient for keeping beach towels clean and dry. Consider adding a suite of compact appliances like a microwave drawer for popcorn or a mini-fridge to keep drinks and snacks close by.