An outdoor kitchen is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to a Long Island home. It moves cooking, dining, and entertaining outside during the warm months, reduces indoor heat buildup, and creates a social hub that draws people together. In communities like Old Westbury, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, and Lloyd Harbor, outdoor kitchens have become a standard feature of high-end backyard designs. But building one that works well and lasts requires careful planning across layout, materials, utilities, and appliance selection.
Step 1: Define How You Will Use the Space
Before selecting appliances or materials, think honestly about how you cook and entertain outdoors. Do you grill a few times a week for your family, or do you host large gatherings with multiple courses? Will you need a full prep area with a sink and refrigerator, or is a well-equipped grilling station sufficient? Your answers determine the scope, layout, and budget of the project. Overbuilding leads to wasted money on features you rarely use, while underbuilding means you outgrow the space quickly.
Step 2: Choose the Right Location
Placement matters for both functionality and safety. Position your outdoor kitchen close enough to the house for convenient access to the indoor kitchen, but far enough from combustible structures to meet local fire codes. Prevailing winds on Long Island generally come from the southwest, so consider how smoke will travel when choosing grill placement. Most homeowners place the outdoor kitchen along one edge of their patio, creating a natural boundary between the cooking zone and the dining or lounging area. Access to gas, electric, and water lines also influences location, as shorter utility runs reduce installation costs.
Step 3: Plan the Layout
Outdoor kitchen layouts follow the same principles as indoor kitchens. The most common configurations are straight-line (galley), L-shaped, and U-shaped. A straight-line layout works well for compact spaces and simpler setups with a grill, counter space, and storage. L-shaped kitchens add more counter area and allow you to separate the grill from the prep zone. U-shaped layouts are best for large spaces where you want the cook to face guests while working. Leave at least 36 inches of counter space on each side of the grill for prep and plating.
- Straight-line layout: Best for smaller patios and basic grilling setups
- L-shaped layout: Ideal for mid-range kitchens with a grill, sink, and counter space
- U-shaped layout: Suited for large patios with full cooking, prep, and bar seating
- Island layout: Freestanding unit that works well as a centerpiece in open spaces
Step 4: Select Materials for the Base and Countertops
The outdoor kitchen base is typically built from concrete block or steel framing, then clad in stone veneer, stucco, or paver-matched facing to coordinate with your patio. Stone veneer is the most popular choice on Long Island because it weathers well, requires no painting, and comes in styles that complement both traditional and modern homes. For countertops, granite is the go-to option for outdoor kitchens due to its heat resistance, durability, and resistance to staining when sealed. Blue Pearl, Uba Tuba, and Absolute Black are popular granite colors. Bluestone and concrete countertops are other viable options.
Step 5: Choose Your Appliances
Invest in appliances rated for outdoor use. Indoor appliances will rust, short-circuit, and fail when exposed to Long Island humidity and weather. A high-quality built-in grill is the centerpiece. Brands like Lynx, DCS, Blaze, and Bull manufacture stainless steel grills designed for outdoor installation. Beyond the grill, consider which additional appliances match your cooking habits. A side burner, outdoor-rated refrigerator, ice maker, and warming drawer are common additions. Each appliance needs to be specified during the design phase so the base is built to the correct dimensions.
Common Outdoor Kitchen Appliances
- Built-in gas grill (36-inch or 42-inch models are most popular)
- Outdoor-rated refrigerator or beverage cooler
- Stainless steel sink with hot and cold water
- Side burner or power burner for pots and sauces
- Pizza oven (wood-fired or gas-fired)
- Storage drawers and trash pullout cabinets
Step 6: Plan Utility Connections
Outdoor kitchens require connections to gas, water, and electrical service. Natural gas is standard on Long Island and must be run by a licensed plumber with a permit. Water supply and drain lines are needed if you include a sink, and these must be winterized each year to prevent freezing. Electrical connections power lights, outlets, and appliances like refrigerators. A dedicated 20-amp GFCI circuit is standard. Plan these utility runs during the design phase to avoid costly retrofitting after the base is built.
Budgeting for an Outdoor Kitchen on Long Island
Outdoor kitchen costs on Long Island vary widely based on scope. A basic grilling station with a built-in grill, stone veneer base, and granite countertop starts around $8,000 to $15,000. A mid-range kitchen with a grill, sink, refrigerator, and ample counter space typically runs $15,000 to $30,000. A fully loaded kitchen with premium appliances, a pizza oven, bar seating, lighting, and a pergola or roof structure can exceed $40,000 to $60,000. Appliance costs are separate from the masonry and hardscape work, so get quotes for both when budgeting.
Start Your Outdoor Kitchen Project
The best outdoor kitchens on Long Island are the ones that match how you actually live and entertain. Brothers Paving & Masonry designs and builds custom outdoor kitchens throughout Old Westbury, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, Lloyd Harbor, and across Nassau and Suffolk County. We handle everything from design and utility coordination to masonry construction and countertop installation. Schedule a free consultation to start planning the outdoor kitchen you have been thinking about.