Okay, so here’s the thing. I thought I needed this super fancy outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and built-in sink and marble countertops and all that. But then I remembered two things: 1) my wallet says nope, and 2) I’ve got kids running around using sticks as lightsabers and a backyard that’s more “bit of lawn, bit of gravel” than magazine-spread perfect.
Still, I wanted a space that felt kinda special. A spot outside where I could cook, maybe pour a drink, and not be stuck inside while everyone else is flinging bubbles or throwing balls at the fence. The good news? You don’t need all the bells and whistles. Just a few smart choices and your simple outdoor setup can look really good. Like, “let’s eat out here again tonight” good.
Here’s what helped me turn our very average corner of the yard into an outdoor kitchen area that actually feels amazing.
Use Natural Stuff That Already Kinda Matches the Yard
No shade to the Pinterest-perfect kitchens with marble and steel, but most of us aren’t building that. And honestly? I didn’t want to. What did work was using stuff that already fit with what we had going on—some wood, a few bricks from a past project, gravel, and an old slab of concrete I swear was leftover from our neighbour’s fence.
Just using natural-looking stuff like timber planks, stone pavers, or even those cheap concrete squares made the space feel nice. Like it belonged. If your house is brick, go warm and earthy. If it’s more modern, try greys or sandy colours. You don’t need to do a full backyard reno. Just… use what fits and make it work.
Add String Lights, But Don’t Overthink It
Lights make it feel magical. I mean, even if you haven’t cleaned up in days, string up some warm fairy lights and boom—it looks like you planned a whole garden party. I hooked mine from the fence to a tree and back again, no fancy poles or anything. And yeah, I’ve untangled them more times than I’d like to admit, but once they’re up, they’re up.
I also grabbed a few solar lights for the ground and one old lantern that may or may not have melted a bit in last year’s heatwave. Doesn’t matter. It works. Just something soft and glowy makes the whole place feel like you’re at a bistro, even if you’re just cooking hot dogs in flip-flops.
Plants Make It Look Way More Pulled Together
If you’ve got pots or planters, use ‘em. If you don’t, grab a couple cheap plastic ones and paint them. I threw in rosemary, thyme, and basil because they smell amazing and also make me feel like I know what I’m doing. I put them right next to the grill so I can just tear off a bit while cooking. Feels fancy. Isn’t.
You can also use climbing stuff on the fence or a few scruffy herbs in the corner to make everything feel softer. It breaks up the “hey, here’s my BBQ sitting on a patio alone” look. I even used an old tomato cage for peas one year and it worked surprisingly well.
Stick a Chair There (Or a Whole Bench if You’re Feeling Wild)
Doesn’t matter how nice the grill is if everyone’s standing around waiting to eat with nowhere to sit. Even one chair makes it feel like a place people actually use. I found two mismatched garden chairs at a car boot sale, wiped the spiderwebs off, and threw on old cushions. Boom—seating.
If you can add a little table or bench nearby, even better. Somewhere for your drink, your plate, your very patient child waiting for a snack. Doesn’t have to be matching or perfect. Just has to be there.
And finally – Add a Little Personality (But Don’t Stress It)
I hung a tiny chalkboard from a nail and sometimes write “burgers again” on it for laughs. There’s also a crate I painted a weird shade of green that I now use for wood or paper towels or whatever’s laying around. It’s not Instagram-ready. But it’s ours, and people always say it feels cozy and chill.
You could do bunting, you could do nothing. Add a silly sign or a flag or a mirror if there’s a fence behind the grill. Something that says “this is our space.” Doesn’t matter if it’s rough around the edges. Sometimes that’s the charm.