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There’s nothing quite like the idea of cooking, entertaining, and relaxing in your own dream backyard. But once you start planning an outdoor kitchen, you might realize it is a much bigger undertaking than it looks.
Between choosing the right materials, figuring out the layout, picking appliances, and making sure everything holds up well in Texas weather, it can feel overwhelming. With the right guidance, you can create a space that works beautifully, looks stunning, and adds value to your home.
Let’s break down the most important factors to consider when planning an outdoor kitchen so that you can feel confident in your choices and your investment.
What Materials are Best Suited for Your Outdoor Kitchen Design
When designing an outdoor kitchen in Central Texas, durability is not optional; it is essential. With hot summers, occasional freezes, and fluctuating humidity, the materials you choose need to stand up to the elements while still looking great year after year. It is important to balance function, style, and long-term value when selecting materials.
Consider these tips:
1. Use Stone for Structure and Style
Stone is one of the most popular outdoor kitchen features for good reason. It is timeless, sturdy, and blends beautifully with natural surroundings. We typically recommend stone for the structural components like walls, bases, or built-in seating because it handles Texas weather well and offers a high-end finish.
2. Select Granite Countertops for Durability and Maintenance
For countertops, granite is our top pick. It is tough enough to handle heat, UV rays, and spills without showing wear. Plus, it is low-maintenance, needing only a quick wipe down after use. Granite also adds serious outdoor kitchen investment value thanks to its upscale appearance and lasting performance.
3. Consider Concrete as a Custom Option
In some designs, especially for modern or minimalist backyard kitchen installations, poured concrete is a great countertop option as well. When poured and sanded on site, concrete offers a seamless, custom look. While it may require a bit more maintenance over time than granite, it can be a good choice for homeowners who want a more contemporary feel.
Popular Outdoor Kitchen Features You’ll Love Year-Round in Waco
One of the best parts of designing a custom outdoor kitchen is choosing the features that fit your cooking style and outdoor lifestyle. In Waco, homeowners love outdoor kitchens that go beyond the basics and make it easy to cook, entertain, and relax outside.
Here are some of the most popular outdoor kitchen features we see again and again:
4. A Versatile Gas Grill
Hands down, the gas grill is the #1 appliance in Central Texas outdoor kitchens. It is easy to use, heats quickly, and works for everything from burgers to veggies to using indirect heat to smoke a brisket. Some homeowners even turn their gas grill into a smoker for that perfect Texas flavor.
5. Pellet Grills for Low-and-Slow Cooking
Pellet grills are especially popular with serious barbecue lovers. These are great for slow cooking ribs, pork shoulder, or brisket. Many homeowners choose to have both a pellet grill and a gas grill for built-in flexibility.
6. Power Burners for Big Pots
A power burner is like bringing your stovetop outside. It hooks up to the same fuel source as your gas grill and lets you boil shrimp, saute veggies, or fry up a batch of onion rings with no indoor mess required.
7. Built-In Griddles for Bacon (and more)
Griddles are having a moment in the spotlight, and it is easy to see why. Whether it is a built-in or drop-in style, these are a favorite for cooking up big breakfasts, smash burgers, or anything greasy you would rather not cook inside. (Pro tip: the #1 thing cooked on a griddle? Bacon, and lots of it.
8. Refrigerators and Sinks for Convenience
If you want your outdoor space to feel like a true extension of your indoor kitchen, including a refrigerator and sink is a must. These small additions make clean up easier and make for fewer trips in and out of your home.
One key to getting the most out of your outdoor kitchen investment value is planning for enough counter space. Every appliance needs room to breathe, and so do you when prepping, plating, and enjoying time outside.
9. Consider Overhead Protection when Planning Your Backyard Kitchen Installation
In Central Texas, the weather doesn’t always cooperate, so some type of overhead protection is a smart and popular addition to any backyard kitchen installation. Most outdoor kitchens we build here at Green Ackors are covered. A roof extension not only keeps your space usable on rainy days, but it also offers valuable shade from the sun and helps protect your investment from heat and weather wear.
Overhead structures also allow for one of the most underrated outdoor kitchen benefits, built-in lighting. Many appliances come with lights, but with a roof overhead, you can install recessed or directional lighting to illuminate prep areas and keep the party going after the sun sets. Want to keep things even cooler outside? Consider adding a ceiling fan for a cooling breeze on those especially hot Texas nights.
The most common overhead protection we install involves extending your existing roofline, using matching shingles, soffits, and finishes to create a cohesive and polished look that blends perfectly with the rest of your home.
Outdoor Kitchen Investment Value: Is it Worth it?
When it comes to outdoor kitchens in Waco, TX, they are absolutely worth the investment for most homeowners. Not only do they offer functional value and daily enjoyment, but they also deliver long-term financial benefits when it comes time to sell your home.
10. Great Return on Investment and Resale Appeal
Outdoor kitchens are in high demand in Central Texas. With so many sunny days and mild evenings, the outdoor space is truly an extension of your home. A well-designed kitchen can boost your property value and attract buyers who want a home that is built for entertaining.
Even basic features like a built-in grill with drawers and cabinets make a big difference. Storage under each appliance not only gives a cleaner look and more function, but it also provides critical access to gas lines and plumbing, which adds long-term value and easy maintenance.
11. The Biggest Outdoor Kitchen Benefits? It’s All About Entertaining
Sure, cooking outside keeps the messes and smells out of your main kitchen, but for most families, the real value is in the experience. It becomes the heart of the backyard, where friends and family gather to eat, talk, celebrate, or just relax. You can grill while still catching the game on TV, enjoy music, and keep conversations going, all while the food is cooking.
It’s a place where the cook can be part of the party, not stuck inside. And for holidays, like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and even crisp winter nights, these spaces get used more than you may expect.
Partnering with Green Ackors for Your Backyard Kitchen Installation in Waco, TX
If you’ve been dreaming of an outdoor kitchen, there is a lot to think about. From materials and appliances to layout, lighting, and overall investment, each decision plays a big part in how well your outdoor kitchen performs and how much you enjoy it.
And while it may be tempting to DIY it or go with the lowest price and piece it together, a well-designed outdoor kitchen project is worth doing right. Working with experienced professionals means fewer headaches, smarter design choices, and a final result that is tailored to you and your space.
At Green Ackors, we have been helping Central Texas homeowners design and build outdoor living spaces for years. We don’t start with cookie-cutter plans, but instead start with a conversation about how you want to use your space, how it should look, and what features will best serve your family for years to come.
Ready to start planning your outdoor kitchen in Waco? Fill out our contact form today!
