6 Savvy L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Ideas (With Pictures)
Do you wonder if L shaped outdoor kitchen ideas are the best fit for your backyard set-up? The answer is likely yes: the L shape is a dreamy design that fits most spaces and aesthetics well.
An L shape is the most popular outdoor kitchen layout, particularly for patios and decks. It brings a perfect balance between cooking and entertaining, able to work with just about any design style.
This set-up usually comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. You can also place it against a wall or independently.
An L shaped outdoor kitchen is such a versatile layout and there are virtually no limits using it. That said, you may still have some questions on just how much mileage you can get out of a small space.
Want to set up a bar for family gatherings? How about installing a pizza oven to level up your cooking skill? Let’s find out what your L shaped kitchen could look like with a little planning.
L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
There are a few reasons why the L shape is so popular among outdoor kitchen owners: it’s versatile and convenient. It allows socializing while grilling or putting together some tasty drinks.
An L shape can be used for plenty of other reasons, too. Let’s take a look.
L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen With Bar
A bar counter is an amazing addition to L shaped outdoor kitchen ideas. As a structure, it can be a part of the kitchen design or a separate feature.
If your goal is to create a cooking theater in your backyard, it’s worth considering the set up with people close to the cooking area. This way you’re not left out of conversations during preparation and cooking time.
The second set-up above is excellent when you’re entertaining many guests simultaneously and need separate spaces to fit all of them.
What you need to consider for this set-up is the height of the bar counter. The standard bar counter height is 42″ (as on the first picture). In the second picture the sitting area is also the bar, but this is a nonstandard design.
The height of this countertop is 30″, so it’s convenient not only to drink there, but also comfortably dine.
To fit one person at the outdoor kitchen bar, at least 24″ of space is needed.
Need even more help with measuring counters for your L shaped outdoor kitchen ideas? Check out my guide on outdoor kitchen counter height and depth.
In the picture above, you can see another nonstandard layout. With the grill placed in the L shaped corner, adding a bar counter around the whole structure is a pretty nice idea.
These L shaped outdoor kitchen ideas allow for easy socializing and cooking simultaneously. In other words, a must-have for get-togethers or holiday gatherings.
L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen on the Patio
A patio is an excellent spot for an outdoor kitchen. Such a close location to the house makes it super-convenient for both guests and hosts.
Outdoor kitchen patio ideas can help you save some money, as all your media connections usually are already in place.
As you can see in the first picture, an outdoor kitchen with a dining space can also create an outdoor living room. To increase the indoor-outdoor experience, consider using similar color palettes or materials as inside.
L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen With Pergola
A pergola is an amazing addition to any outdoor kitchen, as it covers up space, yet still allows the smoke to fly away. Just keep in mind there are some general rules you should follow to keep the space convenient to use.
An L shape is an open, inviting structure that usually doesn’t cut off space. It’s one of the biggest advantages of the shape, honestly, and a covering shouldn’t change that. However, small pergolas need two pillars, while bigger constructions are usually based on four pillars.
Small pergolas usually cover up the grill part (even tough 404 stainless steel need to be protected in case of rust). Two pillars are easy enough to compose into your outdoor kitchen layout.
Bigger pergolas that come with four pillars are a bigger concern, as one pillar stands alone in an otherwise open space. This might not be a concern when an outdoor kitchen is based on a separate deck.
For other settings, you may want to consider three pillars instead. When it comes to your l shaped outdoor kitchen ideas, thinking outside the box is key to a set-up you don’t regret later.
People often start with temporary sail shades, then upgrade to permanent solutions when they’re positive they want to spend extra. Even if you decide to go this route, consider planning the pergola ahead of time to make sure you have enough space to begin with.
Small L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
The smallest outdoor kitchen consists of a grill and preparation space. They’re called a hot zone (a space with appliances using heat) and a dry zone (free countertop space).
An L Shape creates a natural division between them. For a 30″ grill, your design should be around 5’6″ x 4’8″: the wider part is the one with the grill.
This is the minimal amount of space for most L Shaped outdoor kitchen ideas. It can be easily expanded with a burner, a sink, or a refrigerator. It is crucial, though, to add landing spaces on the side of appliances, no matter how limited space is.
The lack of free countertop space is the main reason for an outdoor kitchen remodel, as it makes an outdoor kitchen less functional and more cramped.
Working with such a small space for some can be difficult, but to me, it’s an opportunity to find unique solutions.
L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen With Big Green Egg
A corner space in an L Shaped outdoor kitchen is an excellent spot for a Green Egg. Its small, practical size fits well with a small, practical set-up!
Check out my Big Green Egg Outdoor Kitchen Dimensions Guide if you need help designing your L shaped outdoor kitchen ideas.
The outdoor kitchen shown in the picture is simple, but it covers both cooking and dining. I can easily imagine cooking and socializing in it at the same time. Since this spot is used after sunset, don’t neglect outdoor lighting ideas to keep the space safe and beautifully lit.
L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Island
What a surprise: the L Shape is also an excellent choice for an outdoor kitchen island! It’s quite minimal, as it lacks the sink and storage, but has what outdoor kitchen essentials like a grill and a lot of countertop space to work on.
A burner and a refrigerator are nice additions to add even more flexibility during prep and cooking. As long as your L shaped outdoor kitchen ideas suit your day-to-day needs, you won’t regret your add-ons later.
I like the two countertop heights presented above, too. The main working countertop is 38″ high, and the bar counter on the other side is 42″.
For all you outdoor kitchen design aficionados: notice how the concrete color on the outdoor kitchen resembles the lot design. Such a simple move really ties the space together!
L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Dimensions
An outdoor kitchen comes in three general sizes: small, medium, and large. A small outdoor kitchen has up to 10′ of counter length, a medium up to 16′, and a large is 20’+.
Small L shaped outdoor kitchen dimensions are 8′ x 7’10”. This kind of layout fits a grill, a burner, a sink, preparation space (26″ of free countertop space next to a sink), and storage.
Adding a refrigerator to the structure will change dimensions to around 8′ x 9’10”, as a decent-sized refrigerator will be around 24″ wide.
Where did those numbers come from? Most L shaped outdoor kitchen ideas usually consist of two combined counters. Usually, the one with the grill is 30″ deep, while one with a sink is 24″ deep.
The width of a deeper counter with a 30″ grill and 12″ burner is around 8′. The width of the 24″ counter should be at least 7’10” for a 20″ sink. This combines the sum of the sink, landing space on one side, prep space – 26″, and other counter depth.
Why have so much space for your appliances in your L shaped outdoor kitchen ideas? To use your appliances conveniently, it’s crucial to leave free space on the sides. This space is called a landing space and is predefined.
| Appliance | Landing space requirements |
|---|---|
| Grill | 24″ on one side, 12″ on the other |
| Cooktop | 12″ on both sides |
| Sink | 18″ on both sides |
| Refrigerator | 15″ of the open counter above |
| Pizza oven | 24″ on one side, 12″ on the other |
If appliances are combined, the distance between them is 1.5 times the higher number. The most common appliances combined are a burner and a grill (and the distance between them should be 18″, which is 12″ x 15″)
Usually, a grill and burner are on one side of an L shape, while the rest is based on the other. The reason for that is because heat-based appliances are usually placed next to each other, with some distance from water and refrigerator.
If you’re struggling with how to place your appliances safely and conveniently, don’t miss my guide on outdoor kitchen layout rules.
There are advantages of placing grill and burner on one side. First of all, you get plenty of counter space that can be used for preparation and consumption. This is a perfect solution if you’re willing to add a tabletop counter or multilevel counter.
Second of all, a grill should be placed downwind, most often close to the patio or deck border. You don’t want to fan smoke toward your guests while they’re trying to eat or leave the house, right?
L Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Ideas are Functional and Fun
I hope you found an inspiration for your L shaped outdoor kitchen in this article. They’re one of the most functional and enjoyable ways to enjoy the great outdoors, no matter your budget or design style.
Need to learn more about the ins and outs of building a long-lasting and practical outdoor kitchen space? Don’t miss these in-depth guides:
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I am building an outdoor kitchen (L-shaped) that will have a Large BGE in the corner. Do you know where I might could find some actual plans for something like that? I have a drawing/rendering of what we want to build that I can send to you.
Thanks, Marty