Which Outdoor Kitchen Counter Height and Depth is The Best?
An outdoor kitchen height and depth with the perfect dimensions is crucial for comfort. Having a luxurious indoor-outdoor experience won’t be possible without the ease that only good design brings.
The standard outdoor kitchen counter height is 36″, but it can vary from 30″ – 42″ depending on chosen appliances and users’ height. To accommodate the built-in refrigerator countertops need to be raised to 38″.
A countertop can’t be higher than the distance between the ground and the bent elbow.
This is a standard for all people, but not all women are 4’6″ to 5’2″ and men 5’2″- 5’8″. Let’s figure out the best height and depth of outdoor kitchen countertops for you and your family.
What is the Best Outdoor Kitchen Counter Height?
Standardized measurements might be a great help when you start the process of designing your outdoor kitchen counter height. Even though most contractors use them as default, standard numbers might not suit every family.
Where does the standard outdoor countertop come from? Average human dimensions were taken into consideration (as well as likely receiving influence from a famous kitchen design professional). I prepared a table of countertop height that helps with picking a perfect number.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Person’s height | 4′6″ – 5′2″ | 5′2″ – 5′8″ | 5′8″ – 6′1″ | 6′1″ – 6′6″ |
| Countertop’s height | 30 – 33″ | 33 – 36″ | 36 – 39″ | 39 – 42″ |
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average age-adjusted height for American men (20 years old and up) is 5′9″. Women’s average height is 5′4″. Therefore, 36″ is a flexible height for a countertop.
So how did the process look for my family? I’m 5′5″ and my husband is 6′2″. We don’t share a specific number on the table. I didn’t want my husband to slouch each time he cooks (I want to encourage his activities in this area). I wanted to be comfortable while cooking, as well.
First of all, we figured we have to pick numbers neither from my or my husbands’ columns, but instead go with the average 36 – 39″. To figure out how high the countertop can be, it’s necessary to measure the distance between a shorter person’s bent elbow and the ground.
Your countertop can’t be higher than this measurement.
There are also two extra factors when finding your outdoor kitchen counter height:
- The average outdoor kitchen countertop is often 38″, as this is the minimum height for a built-in fridge.
- Standard heights are less expensive.
So to sum up, the best choice for a working outdoor kitchen countertop for us was 38″.
If you need more numbers to narrow down your ideal dimensions, check out my outdoor kitchen dimensions guide.
What is the standard height for an outdoor bar?
The standard height for an outdoor kitchen bar serve counter is 42″. This value usually varies between 40 – 42″.
The height of the bar serve counter depends on the height of bar stools. Bar stools are typically 28″ – 30″. Between the top of the stool, and top of the bar serve counter should be a distance of 15″.
Your main outdoor kitchen counter height needs to fit your specific needs, especially when you’re higher or lower than average. You may also be wondering about your bar counter. Does your outdoor kitchen bar serve counter need customization as well?
The short answer: yes! You can customize it on your own by picking perfect sized bar stools. To feel comfortable while sitting, you’ll need 9 – 13″ of space between the bar top and the chair.
Even though bar chairs also have the standard height, it’s possible to find a little higher or a little lower to suit your needs.
Of course, if you feel like raising or lowering your bar countertop, go for it. I personally tend to pick solutions that help me use my budget carefully so I have more to spend on other kitchen ideas.
What is the Outdoor Kitchen Counter Height for a Tabletop?
The tabletop counter standard height for an outdoor kitchen is 30″. It can vary from 28″ to 31″, and depend on used chairs.
Chair height may vary from 17″ to 19″. Between chair and tabletop should be a distance of at least 9″ and up to 13″. It’s worth buying chairs before building this counter.
There is actually one more outdoor kitchen counter height worth discussing: so-called ‘counter seating’, which is 36″ high. When designing, it’s worth knowing this one requires a bit more knee space at 15″.
What is the Depth of an Outdoor Kitchen Counter?
The standard depth of an outdoor kitchen counter is 30″, as an outdoor kitchen countertop has to be deep enough to fit a built-in grill.
Bar counter should be at least 12″ deep to accommodate standard plates, which are 9″. Tabletop countertop standard depth is 38″.
All of the countertops should have a cantilever to allow knee movement (12″ for bar height and 18″ for countertop height).
Sometimes a great addition to the outdoor kitchen is a prep table. It’s a much-needed space for smaller structures. A nice size for a prep table is 64″ wide, 24″ deep, and 36″ high.
How Wide Should an Outdoor Kitchen Counter Be?
The outdoor kitchen countertop should be 10′ wide. For a grill, an extra 24″ on one side and 12″ on the other should be added.
The pizza oven will also take an extra 24″ on one side and 12″ on the other. The sink requires an additional 18″ on both sides. Cooktop needs 12″ on both sides.
How wide should an outdoor kitchen counter height for a bar be? The width of an outdoor kitchen bar counter depends on the amount of people seated. There should be at least 24″ reserved per person.
For more comfort, personal space should be increased up to 30″. To have a luxurious experience, go up to 36″.
What are Outdoor Kitchen Sizes?
Usually, an outdoor kitchen is categorized into three groups: small, medium, and large. Size depends on budget, planned appliances, space, and cooks using the space simultaneously.
The appliances that might be used are grill, cooktop, sink, smoker, icemaker, burner, pizza oven, and more.
Below you’ll find a list of basic ones that have to be customized to specific needs.
| Type | Total length | Includes | Countertop length | Number of cooks |
| Small | 10′ | grill, cooktop, sink, storage | 36 | 1 |
| Medium | 16′ | grill, cooktop, sink, storage, refrigerator | 48 | 1 |
| Large | 20’+ | grill, cooktop, sink, storage, refrigerator + | 156 | 1+ |
To choose a perfect size, it’s always wise to look into the budget first. In my opinion, a smaller one with better finishes and appliances is going to be a better choice than a bigger one with worse quality.
For example, you can omit an outdoor fridge in favor of bringing food from your home fridge, but grilling on a poor quality grill will irritate you more over time. Better finishes and better materials increases your kitchen’s longevity.
Additional Searches
What is the Average Size of an Outdoor Kitchen?
The most common outdoor kitchens are small (10′ long) and medium (16′ long). An outdoor kitchen size depends on the budget, appliances, space, and number of cooks.
They both are equipped with a grill, cooktop, sink, and storage, but a medium option also has a built-in refrigerator.
What is the Standard Height of Countertops in an Outdoor Kitchen?
The outdoor kitchen counter height standard is 36″ tall. For outdoor kitchens with a built-in fridge, the standard size is 38″.
The height of outdoor kitchen counters should be adjusted to users’ height. Customized counters’ height varies from 30″ to 42″ (6’6″). Countertop heights for wheelchair users should be between 28″ and 34″.
Additional space of around 25″ and 30″ should also be beneath the counter so the chair can move in and out freely.
How Deep are Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets?
Standard outdoor kitchen cabinets are 23″ deep. They can be customized and made deeper, as the standard outdoor kitchen countertop is 30″ deep.
It’s worth remembering to leave knee space if the food will be served at the counter. In this case, keeping a standard depth might work great.
Now It’s Your Turn
Balancing so many numbers and measurements can be a headache. I hope you found this article useful when figuring out the best outdoor kitchen counter height for your home.
Now I’d like to hear from you: which of these measurements was most helpful?
Was it the method of setting an outdoor kitchen counter height, outdoor kitchen counter depth, or outdoor kitchen size? Likewise, did you already know everything about outdoor kitchen dimensions or did some of my tips surprise you?
Let me know by leaving a quick comment below and happy designing!
