February 16, 2023

In a recent Crossville Studios blog, “It’s Pool Season!”, we highlighted a range of Crossville Studios tile collections from swimming pool tiles, decking, and pavers, to wall cladding and countertops for all your outdoor projects. But this time, we want to focus just on outdoor kitchens. Let’s look at how outdoor kitchens have evolved and explore some actual outdoor kitchen installations for design inspiration.

Since the first outdoor grill was invented in the early 1950s, we’ve loved cooking and eating outdoors. Outdoor gatherings centered around food and good company have played a big summertime role for decades, But when did the first real outdoor kitchens as we know them today come into existence?

A Brief History of the Outdoor Kitchen

In the late 1990s, outdoor kitchen cabinet makers entered the scene with the concept of a built-in outdoor space that could house all types of grilling, cooking, and food preparation equipment and products. Moving from a simple grill and picnic table, we were no longer just grilling meat outdoors; we now had everything we needed at our fingertips to create full meals outside—and no more carting utensils and other items to and from the indoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens were beginning to become self-sufficient  “rooms” of their own, with cabinetry, refrigerators, countertops, sinks, and more.

Outdoor Living Enhances Quality of Life

The last decade has seen a surge in the popularity of outdoor living. Many a backyard has been transformed into an oasis, and exterior kitchens and living areas have become increasingly sophisticated. Moving from the indoors out is like vacationing at home  —  an escape that enhances the quality of life in our busy and often hectic world and a great place to entertain family and friends.

The Desire for Outdoor Living Increases with the Pandemic

In 2021, an outdoor living report issued by outdoor furniture brand Brown Jordan provided the stats: 82% of surveyed American homeowners reported that they were more interested in updating their outdoor living spaces than before the pandemic. Outdoor spaces became more important because public spaces had been closed to us. We could socialize in our isolated world by extending our homes with outdoor living areas and kitchens.

The report also showed that 65% of American homeowners say an outdoor kitchen is a high priority if they were designing an outdoor space. People began committing more of their budgets to a comprehensive outdoor experience that caters to cooking, entertaining and everyday living. No longer something saved for a later update, kitchens became a necessity in these outdoor living spaces.

Outdoor Living Is Good for You

As we focus more on health and wellness, the collective desire to move from the indoors out has not wavered. Research shows that people who spend more time outside are generally less stressed, less depressed, and overall more content. Beyond mental health, other research shows that being close to nature and spending time outdoors also had physical health benefits, including reducing the risk of Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stress, and high blood pressure. Just twenty minutes in an outdoor space can improve overall well-being. A beautiful and functional outdoor living space with a kitchen is an extension of the home, enhancing health and creating an opportunity for homeowners to get outside every single day.

How Can Crossville Studios Make Your Outdoor Kitchen Design Dreams Come True?

Kitchen surfacing, in general, needs to be durable, hard-wearing, and easy to maintain. But outdoor kitchens, in particular, must be weather resistant as well. Outdoor surfaces are subject to UV light, extreme heat or cold, moisture, and possibly ice. Your exterior flooring should be slip-resistant, and all surfaces should be able to withstand the harshest elements. For all your outdoor kitchen surfacing, Crossville Studios has you covered. From kitchen flooring to porcelain countertops, tiled feature walls, and more, we have beautiful and functional tile collections to suit any aesthetic.

Design Inspiration for Your Outdoor Kitchen 

These gorgeous outdoor kitchens boast a range of tile products, including porcelain slabs, wall tiles, floor tiles, mosaic tiles, and porcelain slabs/counterops. There's a tile that's perfect for every aspect of your outdoor kitchen project! 

Tile Products:
Back Wall: I Naturali  Porcelain Panels by Laminam® in Travertino Grigio Venato
Counter Front & Behind Stove: Handwritten in Post Card
Bar Countertop: Film Noir Porcelain Slab

Products:
Wall: Portugal Porcelain Mosaics in Velho White
Floor: Portugal in Tinta Negra
Countertops: Femme Fatale Porcelain Slabs
Grill: Hestan

Products:
Floor: Owen Stone porcelain Tile  in Teddy
Countertops: Femme Fatale Porcelain Slabs 
Fireplace Surround: Spark Joy  Wall Tile White with Black
Hearth: Ardesia a Spacca Porcelain Panels
Grill: Hestan

Products:
Floor: Portugal porcelain Tile in Venho Verde
Countertop: Suspense Porcelain Slabs
Appliance Wall: Oxide Moro Porcelain Panels by Laminam®
Grill: Hestan

Floor: Owen Stone Porcelain Tile in Down
Countertop: Baltic Porcelain Slabs
Grill: Hestan

It’s Time to Start Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen — And We’re Here to Help You!

If you want to expand your outdoor living this summer, it’s not too soon to start thinking about and laying out your outdoor kitchen design plans. Because exterior tiles are subject to moisture, UV light, heavy foot traffic, chemical cleaning agents, and extreme temperatures, we encourage you to work with a knowledgeable professional to help you select high-quality exterior surface materials with exceptional technical performance. With 27 dedicated showrooms offering world-class products and dedicated support, Crossville Studios professionals are here to assist you in finding products that hit all the right marks for aesthetics, technical performance, sustainability —and availability. Let’s get started on the outdoor kitchen of your dreams— connect with us today!