Summer is coming, and with it, the annual ritual of dragging the patio furniture out of storage and wondering if this is finally the year you do something about the backyard. For a growing number of homeowners, the answer is yes—and what they're doing goes way beyond a new grill. Here, designers weigh in on what clients are asking for and what the outdoor kitchen looks like in 2026.
Full Appliance Suites: Beverage fridges, ice makers, burners, dedicated prep space—the wish list has gotten longer. “Almost everyone wants built-in grills and easy beverage storage,” says Catie Quanrud, co-owner and vice president of Island Custom Cabinetry and Reef Kitchen + Bath. “People want to entertain outside without constantly running in and out of the house.” For Philip Consalvo, principal of PJCArchitecture, that means homeowners want “burners, sinks, dishwashers, ice makers, and even pizza ovens” outside, plus storage “not only for food but also cookware, dishes, glasses, utensils, and pans.” ELLE Decor A-List designer Laura Kehoe, speaking on behalf of Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, calls it an outdoor space "as precise and polished as any indoor kitchen"—high-performance appliances alongside “textured stone countertops, sculptural lighting, and bespoke cabinetry.”
Covered Structures: Shade and shelter have become as central to the outdoor kitchen as the grill itself (because no one wants to host a dinner party in direct July sun). Joseph Richardson of Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture says covered structures, like pergolas, pavilions, cabanas, and shade sails, are one of the most consistent requests he receives. They’ve evolved well beyond just keeping the sun away. He notes that pergolas today “incorporate integrated lighting, ceiling fans, heaters, and even retractable screens,” turning what used to be a shade structure into a fully functional outdoor room.
Read more: https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/a71352769/outdoor-kitchen-trends/