Highlights
Make outdoor cooking easier by installing a refrigerator and sink in your outdoor kitchen.
Invest in a brick pizza oven or an outdoor TV to keep guests entertained.
Convert your grill from propane to natural gas with the help of a professional gas plumber.
There’s nothing better than spending the warm-weather months in your outdoor kitchen entertaining guests, grilling for countless barbecues, and enjoying time outside with your loved ones. If you’re ready to take your outdoor kitchen to the next level, consider installing new bells and whistles to create an exterior hosting space that no one will want to leave.
Not sure where to start? Check out this list of top-notch features to add to your outdoor kitchen with the help of local pros.
1. Outdoor Pizza Oven
Wood-fired pizza ovens are at the top of many homeowners’ outdoor kitchen wishlists, and for a good reason. Instead of ordering pizza, you can host a build-your-own pizza night and fire up the pies in an outdoor brick oven. An outdoor pizza oven makes the perfect centerpiece for your entertaining space, plus you can use it for cooking other types of food like bread or meats.
Keep in mind that building an outdoor pizza oven is no small feat, so you’ll need to hire a masonry contractor near you to construct a one-of-a-kind brick oven. Most masons charge hourly rates of $40 to $75 per hour, with a minimum fee of $200 to $400 to cover a few hours of labor.
2. Natural Gas Grill
If your propane tank has ever run out of fuel during a family cookout, you understand the frustration of owning a propane-powered grill. However, there’s a cost-effective and sustainable solution—natural gas grills. If you have a natural gas line connection in your home, you can convert a propane grill into a natural gas grill with the help of a DIY conversion kit and a professional gas grill installer on speed dial.
If your natural gas line doesn’t extend to your outdoor kitchen, hire a local gas plumber to run a line from your home to your grill.
3. Outdoor TV
Nothing beats watching your favorite movie or a baseball game while hosting guests on your patio. That’s why an outdoor TV is a must-have feature that will keep the party outside all night long. For best results, purchase a weather-resistant outdoor TV that’s made to withstand temperature changes. When you find the perfect spot to hang your outdoor TV, hire a professional TV mounter to ensure it stays in place.
4. Outdoor Refrigerator
Tired of guests digging through your kitchen refrigerator to find drinks or snacks during every barbecue? Eliminate the need for trips back and forth to the kitchen by hiring an appliance installer near you to put in an outdoor refrigerator and pack it full of hosting and cooking essentials.
If you don’t like the look of a full-size refrigerator in your backyard, consider installing a mini refrigerator that’s small enough to slot underneath the counter. You can expect to pay $150 to $250 for a basic fridge installation or anywhere from $130 to $3,900 for custom built-in models.
5. Patio Bar
Who needs to spend summer evenings at a cocktail bar when you can bring the bar to your backyard? By installing a patio bar, you’ll create the perfect space to make and serve drinks to your guests, plus create additional seating in your outdoor kitchen. Don’t forget to stock your patio bar with plenty of drink-mixing tools to upgrade your cocktail game.
6. Outdoor Ceiling Fan
While an outdoor ceiling fan isn't typically the first feature that guests notice when they visit your patio, they’ll appreciate the cool breeze it produces. Keep yourself cool on hot summer days by hiring a handyperson near you to put in this handy feature. Plus, if your ceiling fan includes a light, it’ll help brighten up your patio during the evenings.
7. Outdoor Sink
Like an outdoor refrigerator, an outdoor sink makes cooking, grilling, and serving drinks outside much more convenient. Running water makes patio meal prep much easier, plus you can wash your hands, dishes, and produce without going back inside. Plus, you can use outdoor sinks for gardening and cleaning projects when you’re not entertaining.
