NKBA Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Research Report

NKBA Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Research Report

After noticing increased activity around high-end outdoor kitchens, the National Kitchen & Bath Association realized the need to investigate this trend. The result is NKBA’s Luxury Outdoor Kitchen report. This report provides insights and advice from 11 talented designers whose outdoor kitchens are on display throughout the report. The outdoor kitchens in this report represent custom projects in seven states, four U.S. regions, and two Canadian provinces. They represent a wide spectrum of design styles and differ in terms of size. From a rooftop kitchen to a backyard oasis, each design provides a different take on creating the perfect outdoor kitchen for any geographic location or desired purpose.

Key Takeaways

• Luxury in outdoor kitchens grew in popularity during the pandemic as spending time at home and entertaining outdoors became more popular.
• Luxury outdoor kitchens are becoming a new standard for luxury new home builds, as they provide additional usable square footage to a home.
• A successful outdoor kitchen provides harmony and flow from indoors to outdoors. Product innovation and materials used allow this transition to feel natural.
• Using various materials, products, and surfaces extends the ability to use the outdoor kitchen throughout the year and across seasons, increasing its overall value.
• While outdoor kitchens share some similarities with indoor kitchens in design principles and layout, they also present unique obstacles and challenges for designers.

Additional Topics Covered

• What luxury means in outdoor kitchens
• Key design practices
• Design principles from indoors that transfer to the outdoors
• Creative solutions for outdoor kitchen challenges
• How sustainability plays a role in the design
• Advice for designers wishing to build their outdoor kitchen portfolio