Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens have gone from “nice-to-have” to the heart of modern garden living. Instead of carrying plates and trays in and out of the house, you can prep, cook, serve and relax all in one beautifully designed space.

At Maze Living, we’ve created a collection of outdoor kitchens that are made for British weather, modern cooking and easy entertaining. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know before you buy – from layout and materials to covers, fuel and maintenance – so you can create an outdoor kitchen that works beautifully for your home.

One of the biggest questions we’re asked is whether an outdoor kitchen can live outside all year round.

Maze Living outdoor kitchens are designed specifically for outdoor use, with:

• Weather-resistant materials such as powder-coated aluminium and hardwoods

• Worktops engineered to withstand UV and rain

• Appliances built for outdoor installation

You don’t have to move your kitchen inside for winter. Instead, keep it covered when not in use, shut cupboards and drawers, and perform a quick clean-up at the start and end of the season. This makes outdoor kitchens a practical, long-term investment rather than a fair-weather novelty.

Your modular outdoor kitchen layout will depend on the space you have and how you like to cook.

Popular outdoor kitchen layouts:

• Straight run:
  Ideal for smaller patios and town gardens. A simple run of units with a BBQ, some worktop and storage gives you everything you need in one line.
• L-shaped outdoor kitchen:
  Wraps around a corner and creates a sociable “cooking zone” where guests can sit at one side while you prep on the other.
• U-shaped or island style:
  Best for larger gardens. This can include a central cooking island with bar seating, plus extra storage and fridge units at the back.

When you’re planning your layout, think about:

• Distance from the house (close enough to be convenient).
• Wind direction (to avoid smoke blowing back indoors).
• Access to gas/electric points if required.
• Whether the outdoor kitchen will sit on decking, patio or paving.

Because Maze Living kitchens are modular, you can start with a smaller layout and add more units later as your outdoor space evolves.

Outdoor kitchen materials: what should you look for?

Your outdoor kitchen has to cope with sun, rain, frost and the occasional barbecue mishap. Quality materials are key.

Key materials in Maze Living outdoor kitchens include:

• Powder-coated aluminium frames – strong, rust-resistant and low maintenance.
• Durable hardwoods – for a warm, natural look that still stands up to outdoor life.
• Weather-resistant worktops – designed to handle hot pots and changing temperatures.

You don’t need to treat the wood obsessively. A light clean and the option to oil or stain once in a while is enough to keep it looking good and help preserve its colour.

Do outdoor kitchens need to be undercover?

Short answer: no, they don’t have to be.

Your outdoor kitchen doesn’t need to sit under a pergola or roof to survive, but you might choose some cover for comfort and style:

• A pergola or canopy gives light shade and some rain protection.
• A retractable awning can cover the kitchen and dining area in one go.
• Pergolas with louvres or side screens are great for more exposed gardens.

The kitchen units themselves are engineered for outdoor use, but we strongly recommend using covers on BBQs, pizza ovens and other appliances when they’re not being used. That keeps everything cleaner and prolongs the life of your outdoor kitchen.

The great thing about modern outdoor kitchens is that you don’t have to choose just one cooking style.

Gas BBQs

• Quick to heat up – usually ready in 5–10 minutes.
• Easy to control temperature.
• Perfect for weeknight grilling or when you’re cooking for a crowd.

Charcoal BBQs

• Deeper, smokier flavour.
• Take a bit longer to heat – around 30–35 minutes.
• Best with high-quality lump charcoal rather than briquettes.

Pizza ovens

• Reach high temperatures in about 25 minutes.
• Ideal for pizzas, flatbreads, roasted vegetables and even desserts.

You can build an outdoor kitchen that combines gas and charcoal, or pair a BBQ with a dedicated pizza oven for the ultimate garden cooking setup.

Do outdoor kitchens work in small gardens?

Absolutely. You don’t need a huge plot to enjoy an outdoor kitchen.

For smaller spaces, consider:

• A single, well-planned run of units.
• Compact BBQ or grill heads.
• Integrated storage to keep worktops clear.
• Using corners efficiently with L-shaped layouts.

By choosing modular units, you can create a design that gives you prep space, storage and a quality BBQ in even a modest garden.

Looking after your outdoor kitchen

Outdoor kitchens from Maze Living are low maintenance, but a few simple habits will keep them looking their best:

• Wipe down worktops before and after use.
• Keep a cover on your BBQ and pizza oven when not in use.
• Check gas connections periodically.
• Give wood surfaces an occasional clean, and oil if you want to preserve the colour.

Most of this is quick, light maintenance that fits easily into your normal outdoor routine.