Outdoor Kitchens By The Numbers
The outdoor kitchen is definitely “a thing” — and exclusive NKBA research reveals what’s driving the phenomenon. Here’s a smattering from the latest report on what homeowners want, where challenges and opportunities exist, top choices in materials, products, features, lifestyle, usage and more. So, throw a steak on the grill and grab a few stats!
1. Bottom Line
Typical spend is about $13,000 on an outdoor kitchen, but about 22% of homeowners are building very high-end kitchens ($30,000+) and 14% spend between $20,000 and $30,000.
2. Size Matters
Most outdoor kitchens (66%) are between 100 and 400 square feet, including a sitting area in the meal preparation space. 22% are more than 400 square feet, and just 12% are under 100 square feet.
3. Fuel the Fire
31% of homeowners have two grills in their outdoor kitchen.
44% use propane, 45% connect to natural gas, 22% are charcoal.
4. Finishing Touches
Stainless steel is the grill hood finish of choice, by 77% of homeowners. 75% have additional burners, 57% have warming racks, and 50% have a rotisserie.
5. Look Up
About half of homeowners install some fixed overhead structure (52%); 30% install a pergola, and 13% have an adjustable/retractable structure; 12% have no overhead structure.
6. Creature Comforts
62% of outdoor kitchens have a TV; 62% have built-in storage or cabinets; 58% boast a fire pit; 26% feature a wine refrigerator; 25% install an ice maker.
7. Helping Hands
64% of homeowners used a designer, 41% used a landscape or garden architect/specialist, 10% used an architect.
8. Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Natural stone is the choice of 57% of homeowners for outdoor countertops, followed by quartz at 23%.
9. “I wish I’d spent more time/money on…”
Shelter/shade enclosure, 12%; A bigger space, 10%; Counter, 9%; Atmosphere/temperature/lighting control, 7%; Cabinets/storage, 5%.
10. But Who Cleans Up?
The male head-of-household takes the lead in outdoor cooking 75% of the time.
