Outdoor Kitchen and Grill Design: Texas Inspiration

Outdoor cooking is a core part of Texas lifestyle. You need an outdoor kitchen and grill design that reflects true Texas living — premium grill products, heat resistant materials, plenty of seating and entertainment options.

We’ve transformed over 20,000 backyards into premium outdoor living spaces in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Our expert designers and contractors poured their knowledge into this design inspiration guide to custom outdoor kitchens and grills for your home.

• Get inspired by our Texas design project gallery. Discover a variety of appliances, materials, layouts and features for your new outdoor kitchen and outdoor grill station.
• Texas homeowners deserve local design solutions. Learn about premium grill products, durable heat-resistant materials, and Texas-style entertainment options.
• Create a functional flow with the right design elements. Choose the right layout for your outdoor space, and be sure to provide shade and ample seating areas.
• Elevate your outdoor grill with the right appliances and materials. Integrate grills, smokers and refrigeration into your design. Select durable counter, island and flooring materials like natural stone, granite, quartz and Carvestone.

Get Inspired! Texas Outdoor Kitchen and Grill Design Gallery

Allied Outdoor Solutions has created and installed thousands of outdoor grilling areas and kitchens throughout Texas. 

We’ve chosen 5 custom designs from our portfolio that display a wide variety of materials, layouts, and aesthetic styles. Use these project photos as the inspiration for the backyard kitchen and grill of your dreams — then, let us help you bring those dreams to life.

Want even more design inspiration? Visit our full outdoor kitchen and grill project portfolio.

Brick Al Fresco

Transport a modern Italian dining experience into your backyard. This brick and treated lumber covered patio is the host for a spectacular outdoor kitchen and grill space.

A broad outdoor kitchen island provides plenty of serving space, surrounded by wrought iron chairs for elegant seating. 

The stainless steel range and hood are the centerpiece of a generous cooking area. It’s flanked by a Big Green Egg ceramic oven and side burner, plus refrigeration and storage units.

Family and guests retire to the cozy outdoor living area after dinner. Sit around the custom outdoor fireplace and watch the game or your favorite show on the mantle-mounted television.

Breezy Transitional

The spacious flow of this outdoor kitchen reflects the expansive backyard of this Texas home. A kitchen, grill and entertainment area sit on this gable covered patio with an industrial ceiling fan and recessed lighting.

Carvestone flooring and light brick materials offer a heat-resistant, durable foundation for a suite of stainless steel outdoor appliances. A beverage fridge, ice maker and built-in grill are set in two parallel islands for easy access and convenience.

Guests enjoy their meal and drinks in the entertainment center, complete with sofa seating, lounge chairs and table space.

Cedar Comfort

This cozy, charming outdoor grill station is protected from the heat and elements by a gorgeous cedar gabled patio cover. Recessed lighting and wind chimes provide ambience, while a large ceiling fan increases air flow to cool down the space.

The L-shaped grill island is built with rustic natural stone from Texas quarries. It features a full custom stainless steel grill with storage system underneath. A refrigerator, ice maker and chilled storage area for wine and beverages is housed within the island.

A sectional seating area mirrors the L-shaped design of the kitchen island. The entire area overlooks the inground pool just off the patio.

Private Grill Retreat

A smaller backyard still deserves premium grilling and comfort! This detached covered patio hosts a grill and seating area, separated from the neighbors by a beautiful slatted wood privacy wall feature.

A stand-alone grill is large enough to barbecue for several guests. A series of stainless steel refrigeration units and storage areas is smartly placed below the privacy wall.

Guests enjoy their food and drinks on a modern sofa and seating area, with cream-colored cushions to match the patio flooring material. 

Natural Stone Cookout

This outdoor kitchen is a showcase for Texas natural stone. Cream and tan colored flagstone flows throughout the kitchen island, grill island and post support structures. It’s complemented by custom Carvestone flooring, colored and textured to match the natural stone.

A tall square kitchen island provides bar-style seating for up to eight. A large, custom stainless steel range is flanked by fridge units, ice maker and storage cabinets. 

The rich light brown treated lumber ceiling pairs beautifully with the stone design elements. A large television is mounted on the far wall for entertainment.

Local Texas Considerations for Outdoor Kitchen and Grill Design

A Texas backyard dining area requires more than just a grill and some deck chairs.  Your outdoor kitchen contractor must provide expert, custom solutions to local considerations and challenges. 

How will your installation protect against summer heat and sun damage? Will your materials and appliances stand up to the humidity in Houston and hail events in Dallas? And does your kitchen match the aesthetic style of your existing home architecture?

High-Performance Grilling

It’s just not a Texas kitchen without a great grill. Choose a premium grade stainless steel outdoor grill with elevated design options like infrared burners, zone cooking and rotisserie kits. 

Make sure your outdoor grill is compatible with your power source — don’t buy an electric grill for your natural gas hookup. If you want a smoker, choose one that reflects your preferred heating element (charcoal, wood, etc.).

We’re proud of our relationships with quality grill manufacturers like Bull, Coyote, Wolf, Viking and Big Green Egg. Consult with us (or an experienced supplier) about the right grill for your precise cooking needs.

Durability and Heat Resistance

Every material you select should be extremely durable and provide maximum heat resistance. You won’t just protect your counters and surfaces from hot plates and heat damage — you’ll extend their lifespan in the hot Texas sun.

Consider a covered patio or pergola space for your outdoor kitchen. You’ll limit UV exposure and direct sunlight which cause materials to fade, weather and degrade faster.

Local Soil Concerns

Most of Texas rests on a bed of clay soil. Clay-based soil retains a ton of moisture, which causes your yard to swell, sink, settle and crack with each rainfall and dry season.

Choose a foundation and kitchen flooring materials that offer stability. Reinforced and modified concrete is an idea choice for outdoor kitchen foundations on clay soil.

Texas-Style Entertainment

Great entertainment features transform your outdoor kitchen and grill into a true outdoor living space. If your indoor kitchen is the hub of your home, make your outdoor kitchen the focal point of your backyard.

Consider a TV, sound system, gaming table or integrated smart lighting to amplify the “fun factor” in your space.

Aesthetic Flow

Make sure your new outdoor grill station looks like the rest of your home and outdoor living space. Match the aesthetics, style and design elements of your kitchen to the rest of your property.

Consider bricks, treated lumber and wrought iron for rustic outdoor kitchens. Stainless steel and natural stone look great in modern and transitional spaces. Reddish, terra cotta colors and patterns work well in Spanish and Tuscan style outdoor kitchens.

Key Design Elements for Your Texas Outdoor Kitchen

Consider the overall design layout of your outdoor kitchen and grill to provide seamless work solutions and a natural flow for your guests.

Provide shelter and shade solutions to keep your kitchen cool and protect against rain and hail damage. Then, make sure there’s plenty of light to carry your dinner party into the evening.

Design Layout and Flow

Your outdoor cooking and dining layout should provide ample space to work, cook, sit and move about the space.

Layout considerations start with your range and grill space. Here are 5 popular solutions:

• Linear cooking island along a single wall 
• L-shaped island in a corner space between 2 walls
• Freestanding island near the edge or in the center of your space
• Parallel islands to work and cook between, one with range/grill and one with refrigeration and storage spaces
• U-shaped kitchen to create distinct purpose-driven spaces 

Discover the unique benefits of choosing a U-shaped outdoor kitchen:

Plan your outdoor seating and dining area well. Leave enough room for family and guests to freely move about the space without bumping into chairs, tables or island seating. 

Shelter and Shade

A roofed space (outdoor patio or pergola) offers excellent shade from the sun and shelter from an unexpected rainstorm.

Covered kitchen areas allow for an overhead fan to increase air flow and cool down the cooking space, as well as a custom range hood to ventilate the area.

Lighting

Extend your grilling event into a dinner party with smart lighting solutions. Use recessed lighting in covered patio and pergola spaces, or embed lighting into your flooring materials.

Use string lights or LED torches to add a fun vibe to the space. Control everything remotely with smart lighting that offers integrated app technology.

Choosing the Right Appliances for TX Outdoor Grilling

We reviewed thousands of past outdoor grill and kitchen installation projects to find the appliances we installed in the most homes.

Consider these 10 appliances to create a fully functional, premium outdoor cooking space that meets all of your needs in one place.

1. Stainless steel outdoor grill
2. Smoker
3. Side burner
4. Cooktop/range
5. Refrigerator
6. Wine fridge
7. Draft system (kegs)
8. Ice maker
9. Dishwasher
10. Sink

Outdoor Kitchen and Grill Materials Built to Last

Material selection matters greatly in your outdoor kitchen area. You need durable, heat-resistant materials that repel moisture and don’t stain easily.

Here are quality materials to consider for your outdoor kitchen island, countertop and flooring.

Outdoor Kitchen Island Materials

Consider these kitchen island materials for durability, strength, and heat resistance:

• Texas flagstone
• Natural stone
• Concrete
• Brick
• Stainless steel

Countertop Materials

Texas homeowners request these 3 countertop materials most often for their outdoor islands:

• Granite
• Quartz and quartzite
• Custom concrete

Can’t decide between stone and granite? See why our experts love leathered granite countertops for outdoor kitchens:

Flooring Materials

We strongly recommend modified concrete overlay materials for outdoor kitchen flooring. Concrete overlay materials stabilize the clay soil in your yard and provide highly-rated durability against heat and pressure.

Concrete overlay materials like Carvestone also benefit from their non-porous nature. Unlike natural stone, you don’t have to worry about spills or splashes seeping into your flooring.

Carvestone is also highly customizable. Qualified installers can mix and match colors, textures and patterns to reflect virtually any material and style within your kitchen design.

Texas Backyard Kitchen Dreams Come to Life

A premium outdoor kitchen and grill combines premium appliances, durable materials and a functional layout. Elevate your Texas outdoor cooking space with smart refrigeration and grilling options, entertainment features and heat-resistant island materials.

We’ve helped over 20,000 Texas homeowners achieve the outdoor living space of their dreams. We maintain great relationships with the finest range and grill manufacturers to ensure you get the best products for precisely how you like to cook.

Feeling inspired? Talk to our experts about your outdoor kitchen ideas. You’ll work with a dedicated outdoor living designer, Construction Coordinator and a Construction Supervisor to guide your way..