Garden Rooms With Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor Barbecue Kitchen

The most successful barbecue kitchens usually provide enough preparation space around the grill.
 

This is often overlooked.
 

It is useful to allow space for:

• uncooked food

• cooked food

• serving dishes

• utensils

• condiments

• drinks
   

Good layout matters just as much outside as it does in an indoor kitchen.

 

Pizza Ovens Outdoors

A pizza oven can become a strong feature within an outdoor kitchen.
 

It can work particularly well in a larger entertaining area where the garden room provides seating and shelter nearby.
 

Pizza ovens can be:

• freestanding

• countertop

• built in

• gas fired

• wood fired
   

The oven should be positioned with sufficient clearance from combustible materials and with smoke, heat and access properly considered.

 

Outdoor Wood Oven Pizza Areas

A wood fired pizza oven creates a different type of outdoor kitchen experience.
 

Rather than being used only for quick cooking, it can become part of the social side of the garden.
 

A larger design might combine:

• wood fired pizza oven

• BBQ

• sink

• preparation area

• dining table

• garden bar

• seating

• log storage
   

This can create a complete garden entertaining area.

 

Outdoor Kitchen With a Garden Bar

A bar can work particularly well alongside an outdoor kitchen.
 

One side can be dedicated to cooking while the other becomes a drinks and seating area.
 

A garden room can then provide:

• internal lounge space

• music

• television

• storage

• WC

• protection during colder weather
   

This makes the whole arrangement useful for much more of the year.

 

Outdoor Kitchen With a Garden Room Lounge

Another option is to use the garden room mainly as a lounge.
 

The room could contain:

• sofas

• television

• music system

• fireplace effect

• bar

• storage
   

The outdoor kitchen then sits immediately outside.
 

Large glazed doors allow the two areas to function almost as one room when the weather is good.

 

Outdoor Kitchen With Dining Space

Cooking outside is only part of the experience.
 

Dining should also be considered from the beginning.
 

Possible arrangements include:

• table under a canopy

• table on an open patio

• breakfast bar

• kitchen island seating

• built in benches

• covered dining area
   

The best layout will depend on the shape of the garden room and the available outdoor space.

 

Outdoor Kitchen Worktops

Outdoor worktops need to be able to withstand much harsher conditions than those inside the house.
 

They may be exposed to:

• rain

• frost

• strong sunlight

• temperature changes

• food spills

• grease
   

Material selection should therefore be based on durability as well as appearance.

 

Outdoor Kitchen Storage

Outdoor kitchens need proper storage if they are going to remain practical.
 

This can include:

• sealed cupboards

• drawers

• shelving

• utensil storage

• bin storage

• bottle storage

• log storage
   

Storage should be designed to cope with damp and changes in temperature.

 

Outdoor Kitchen Sink

Adding a sink can make an outdoor kitchen much easier to use.
 

It can be useful for:

• washing hands

• rinsing food

• cleaning utensils

• filling pans

• washing glasses
   

A sink requires both a water supply and drainage.
 

These are much easier to arrange if they are considered before the patio and garden room are constructed.

 

Outdoor Kitchen Fridge

A fridge or drinks cooler can be useful where the garden room is used for entertaining.
 

Possible uses include:

• chilled drinks

• food storage

• BBQ ingredients

• wine

• mixers
   

Any appliance installed outdoors should be suitable for the conditions in which it is being used.

 

Gas, Electricity and Services

Outdoor kitchens often require more services than homeowners initially expect.
 

These might include:

• electricity

• lighting

• water

• drainage

• gas

• data

• refrigeration
   

These services should be designed into the project rather than added afterwards.
 

Planning them early can reduce excavation and make the installation much neater.

 

Outdoor Kitchen Lighting

Good lighting makes an outdoor kitchen usable long after daylight disappears.
 

A practical lighting scheme may include:

• task lighting over the worktop

• lighting beneath the canopy

• wall lighting

• garden lighting

• low level lighting

• feature lighting
   

The aim is to provide enough illumination for cooking without making the garden feel excessively bright.

 

Where Should the Outdoor Kitchen Go?

The best location will normally be close to the garden room.
 

That allows the two spaces to function together.
 

It may also reduce the distance required for:

• electrical supplies

• water

• drainage

• refrigeration

• lighting
   

The cooking area should also be positioned with smoke, heat and neighbouring properties in mind.

 

Kitchen Beside the Garden Room

A kitchen running along the side of the building can work well where the garden is relatively narrow.
 

The building itself provides a strong backdrop and the remaining garden remains open.
 

This can be particularly effective with a canopy extending over the kitchen.

 

Outdoor Kitchen Under a Canopy

A canopy can transform the usability of the kitchen.
 

It can provide:

• weather protection

• integrated lighting

• visual connection to the garden room

• architectural definition
   

It can also create a much more finished appearance than a collection of standalone outdoor appliances.

 

L Shaped Garden Room and Outdoor Kitchen

An L shaped design can be especially effective.
 

One wing of the garden room can contain the internal space while the other defines the outdoor kitchen and dining area.

This can create a sheltered courtyard effect.
 

It also allows the garden room and kitchen to feel like one coordinated project.

 

Planning Permission

The planning position will depend on the overall design.
 

The garden room itself may potentially fall within Permitted Development rights if it meets the relevant requirements.
 

However, canopies, covered areas and larger structures may affect the overall calculation and design.
 

Factors can include:

• overall height

• position

• distance from boundaries

• amount of garden covered

• property type

• conservation area status

• previous extensions
   

The complete arrangement should therefore be considered rather than looking at the kitchen and garden room separately.

 

Building Regulations

Building Regulations may also need to be considered depending on:
 

• size of the garden room

• proximity to boundaries

• construction

• services

• electrical work

• drainage

• structural design
   

Outdoor kitchens introduce additional issues such as heat producing appliances, electrical equipment and plumbing.
 

These should be properly coordinated within the design.

 

Fire Safety and BBQ Position

A BBQ or pizza oven produces significant heat.
 

It should not simply be placed immediately against timber cladding or beneath combustible materials without proper consideration.
 

The design needs to take account of:

• clearances

• wall materials

• roof materials

• ventilation

• smoke

• heat

• neighbouring property

• manufacturer requirements
   

This is particularly important where the kitchen is positioned beneath a roof or canopy.

 

Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for Smaller Gardens

A smaller garden does not rule out an outdoor kitchen.
 

A compact design could include:

• 1.5 to 2 metre kitchen run

• small BBQ

• narrow worktop

• undercounter fridge

• storage

• small sink
   

Positioned beside a garden room, this can provide everything required for casual entertaining without overwhelming the garden.

 

Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for Larger Gardens

Larger gardens can accommodate a much more complete outdoor living arrangement.
 

This might include:

• large garden room

• full kitchen

• BBQ

• pizza oven

• island

• bar

• dining area

• lounge

• firepit

• landscaped terrace
   

The key is to design the whole space as one composition rather than adding each feature separately.

 

Outdoor Kitchen and Garden Room Plans

This is where a proper design can save a great deal of time and money.
 

The plans can establish:

• garden room position

• kitchen layout

• canopy size

• BBQ position

• pizza oven position

• sink

• refrigeration

• dining area

• electrical points

• water supply

• drainage

• lighting

• circulation
   

This allows the project to be priced and built as one coordinated scheme.

 

Adapt an APN Garden Room Design

An existing APN Garden Room design can provide the starting point.
 

It can then be adapted to include an outdoor kitchen.
 

Possible changes include:

• extend the roof

• add a canopy

• create an outdoor kitchen wall

• add an island

• create an L shaped layout

• add a garden bar

• reposition doors

• create a covered dining area

• add storage

• include WC facilities
   

This means you do not necessarily need to commission the complete design from scratch.

 

Build the Garden Room and Kitchen Together

There are major advantages to treating them as one project.
 

The foundation, paving, drainage and services can all be coordinated.
 

That can avoid:

• digging up finished patios

• moving electrical supplies

• rerouting drainage

• adding temporary structures

• mismatched materials

• unnecessary labour
   

It can also produce a much better looking result.

 

A Different Approach to an Outdoor Kitchen

The APN approach is not simply to sell an outdoor kitchen.
 

It is to help you design the space around it.
 

That could mean a kitchen integrated with:

• garden room

• office

• bar

• lounge

• games room

• gym

• dining area

• entertainment room
   

The kitchen becomes part of the overall garden room design rather than a standalone product sitting on the patio.

 

Potential Savings of 40 to 50%

Depending on the design, location, specification and how the project is managed, it may be possible to reduce the overall cost by around 40 to 50% compared with some equivalent turnkey garden room packages.
 

The aim is not to build a cheaper room.
 

It is to spend more of your budget on the room itself and less on the layers surrounding it.
 

That could mean:

• better glazing

• better insulation

• better cladding

• better internal finishes

• a larger room

• more money left for landscaping or furniture
  
   

Start With the Design

The first step is choosing the right garden room.
 

From there, you can:

• use the design as shown

• adapt it to suit your garden

• obtain planning advice if required

• add Building Regulations information where needed

• request builder quotations

• source products and materials

• control the final build cost
   

Choose the design. Control the build. Keep more of the budget.
 

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