Outdoor Grilling Station Ideas

When you decide to install an outdoor grilling station, you get to plan the space that works for you, complete with a grilling station that features the sizing, configuration, appliances, and storage you need to optimize outdoor entertaining. Whether you primarily grill for your family or you love to host large gatherings of extended family and friends, there are a few things you’ll want to consider when creating the ideal design for your needs and preferences. 

Plan Your Perfect Grilling Station Configuration 

You can choose between kitchen islands from just over five feet to nearly eight feet in length and combine elements to create a custom setup in a range of standard configurations. With one or more modular island bases, you could make a compact and efficient L-shaped setup or extend it down the length of an exterior wall, retaining wall, or even the edge of a patio to add space for appliances and storage galore. 

If you want to make the most of an unused corner or clearly delineate a grilling zone, an L-shaped layout makes it easy to move between food prep and cooking stations. You could also go all out with a U-shaped design that allows for a traditional kitchen triangle between your fridge, sink, and built-in grill or other cooking surface.  

You'll have no trouble creating the outdoor cooking area that works for you, with options to customize your island base from a straight line to a wraparound configuration. 

Make Your Island the Centerpiece of Your Grilling Station

An outdoor kitchen is more than just a sales feature that adds value to your property. It’s a functional living space you’ll use for the most important aspect of life: connecting with the people you love over a carefully prepared meal. 

For practical, aesthetic, and investment purposes, it pays to make your kitchen island the focal point of your backyard entertaining space, whether you set it against an exterior wall, opt for free-standing placement at the outer edge of a patio, or build in a custom kitchen, dining, and lounge space at the center of your yard. 

Build in a Grill Backsplash 

There’s nothing wrong with a freestanding kitchen island, but if you want greater visual impact, one option is to add a backsplash. Backsplashes can be installed in a few ways. For starters, you could simply back it up to an exterior wall of your home or set it against a tall retaining wall or fence line in your yard (with proper heat protection). 

You could also install suitable backsplash material like tile or stone in these areas before adding your kitchen island. Finally, if you like a layout where your island will be free-standing, erect a wall to serve as the backsplash to elevate your outdoor kitchen installation. 

Put a Pergola Over Your Grilling Station

Another way to boost visual impact and create a statement outdoor kitchen is by erecting a pergola or pavilion around your cooking and dining space. These structures not only make for an impressive display and leave no question as to the focal point of your yard, but they also provide practical coverage to protect you and your guests from the elements. 

Create a Year-Round Outdoor Living Space 

An outdoor kitchen and grill offer the ideal way to make the most of your backyard during the summer months, but you can extend usage into spring, fall, and even winter with the right setup. If you’re planning to use an exterior wall as the backdrop for your kitchen island anyway, consider investing in a covered porch or patio connected to your house to provide shelter from sun and rain alike. 

With a built-in fireplace or fire pit, you’ll create a cozy nook and keep chilly weather at bay. You might also create a pass-through window connected to the kitchen to make transferring food and dishes between inside and outside easier, regardless of the season. 

Set Clear Goals for Your Outdoor Grilling Station

It’s tempting to leap right in and start choosing island colors and appliances, but you need to take a moment to consider your goals in designing an outdoor kitchen. When you think about how you cook and who you feed, it will help you decide on the components and configuration that will serve your needs every time you fire up the grill. 

Let the experts at Stono Outdoor Living help create your dream outdoor kitchen. Start building your kitchen with our 3D configurator; it's simple and easy to use. You can schedule a no-obligation design consultation to tailor a custom outdoor kitchen design that combines comfort, functionality, and style. We guarantee a perfect fit, free shipping, and easy assembly. Shop islands or schedule a consultation today.