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When you hear the word "kitchen," you probably automatically think of the room inside your home that functions as a space to cook, eat and enjoy spending time inside.
But, the last few years have seen us increasingly looking to move our lives from inside our homes into our outside spaces. With the pandemic, we all spent so much time inside that many of us looked for ways to enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, even if this was just in our gardens.
Thus, furniture that we usually associated with inside living, such as sofas and rugs, began to be used outside, too. As a result, we've looked to recreate some of our favourite spaces - such as our living rooms, kitchens and offices, in our outside spaces.
A trend that has emerged from this is the idea of outdoors kitchens. Whether you're looking to simply create a seamless transition between your kitchen and your outside space - or you're looking to go the full way and add kitchen and dining features to your garden - many of us have been enjoying spending time eating, drinking and socialising outside.
As the weather gets warmer and we seek to spend more time in the garden again, you may be thinking about how you can make your outside space function as a kitchen. Perhaps you want to enjoy cooking in the garden, or entertaining guests for canapés and cocktails?
We've compiled our favourite outdoor kitchen ideas to help you create a space that's both functional and beautiful...
Install a bar
Installing a bar in your garden is a great way to easily entertain guests. A simple wooden structure like this one can be used and then simply place bar stools or chairs around it for a pub-like experience. You could keep a fridge outside to make sure you have chilled ingredients for cocktails, too.
Mercia 6 x 4 Pressure Treated Garden Bar, £469.99 SHOP NOW
Embrace the 'fifth room'
"This year, we'll be increasingly looking for ways to merge our indoor and outdoor spaces," says Sarah Keady, Style and Interiors Director at Good Housekeeping. "The idea of the 'fifth room' emerges as we look to make our outside space a natural extension of our home, like an extra room."
Get the barbecue fired up
Using a barbecue is the easiest way to bring cooking to the garden. Heat yours up to try a host of delicious recipes that the whole family will love - check out our best barbecue recipes and inspiration from the Good Housekeeping cookery team.
Weber 13101004 Original Barbecue, £207.99 SHOP NOW
Create a dining space
No kitchen is complete without a dining space; be that indoors or outdoors. Rattan garden furniture is effortlessly on-trend this year for garden furniture, so is a great option if you're looking for a new bistro set for your outside space.
Habitat 4 Seater Bamboo Effect Garden Sofa Set, £400 SHOP NOW
Use a fire pit
Most fire pits and chimineas serve two purposes: they add warmth and ambience while having the ability to be used with a grill. This makes them the perfect addition for any outdoors kitchen; allowing you to stay warm, have vision at night and cook at the same time!
Two Piece Clay Chiminea With Grill, £129.99 SHOP NOW
Make it relaxing
The kitchen isn't just a space to cook - it can also be an area in which to relax, enjoy spending time with family and for eating and drinking. By incorporating a sofa into your outdoor kitchen, you're sure to make it feel cosy and inviting.
Homebase Alexandria 4 Seater Garden Corner Sofa, £425 SHOP NOW
Abstract Face Cushion, £16 SHOP NOW
Add a pizza oven
If you want your outdoor kitchen to function like the one in your inside space, invest in some appliances that will help you do that. Pizza ovens saw a huge surge in popularity last year - and the trend shows no sign of stopping. "I use an Ooni pizza oven as the pizza it produces is restaurant quality" says Charley Ward, Homes Ecommerce Editor at Good Housekeeping. "Plus, it allows you to cook pizza in 60 seconds flat."
Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven, £699 SHOP NOW
Prepare your dining sets
While it goes without saying that you can use plates, crockery and glasses from your indoor kitchen for your outside space, too, it may be easier to keep a distinction between them. Opting for items that resemble picnicware could be better for durability and unpredictable weather.
M&S Rainbow Picnicware, from £12 SHOP NOW
Use a gazebo
Weather not so good? Doesn't mean you can't still enjoy dinner and drinks outside! A gazebo can be used to shelter you against the elements while you enjoy using your garden as a kitchen and dining space.
Alvantor Pop Up Gazebo Event Shelter, £249.99 SHOP NOW
Make it work for any space
There's no reason why you can't make an outdoor kitchen work in any outdoor space. Regardless of whether your space is big or small or you have lawn or decking, simply adding a barbecue and one bistro set can give you the effect you're after.
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