Your outdoor kitchen is a cooking space, yes, but it’s also where culinary creativity meets natural beauty. Because the space is outdoors, it has the unique opportunity to be elevated by integrated landscaping. Here’s how to beautify an outdoor kitchen with spot-on landscaping any gardener can do.
Create Natural Boundaries With Strategic Plantings
Establishing clear zones around your outdoor kitchen helps define the space and establish visual flow. For instance, you can use hedge barriers as living walls. Boxwood, privet, or evergreen shrubs create year-round structure while providing privacy for your meal preparation. Plant them 3–4 feet from your cooking area to allow proper ventilation.
Then, consider planting ornamental grasses, as these add movement and texture without blocking sightlines. Fountain grass, feather reed grass, and blue fescue thrive in most climates and require minimal maintenance once established.
Design Functional Plant Combinations
The great thing about plants is that they’re more than purely aesthetic. Some can offer practical uses, such as providing shade or tasty flavors.
Herb Gardens Within Reach
An outdoor kitchen wouldn’t be complete without some dainty, delicious herbs within arm’s reach! Plant rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano, mint, cilantro, and more. Then, harvest them bit by bit as you prepare meals or cocktails outdoors.
Shade and Comfort Zones
Nobody wants to grill while being grilled by the sun above. That’s why you’ll want to incorporate large trees or pergolas with climbing vines to create comfortable dining and prep areas.
Integrate Hardscaping Elements
Part of designing a modern outdoor kitchen is pairing your landscaping efforts with thoughtful hardscaping. For example, lay down stone pathways to guide guests naturally between cooking and dining areas. Consider using materials that complement your kitchen’s finishes—if you have granite countertops, incorporate similar stone into walkways or retaining walls.
Layer Plants for Year-Round Interest
You can ensure something is always blooming around your outdoor kitchen if you think beyond summer entertaining when selecting plants.
Your foundation plantings should include evergreens that look great even during winter. Add deciduous shrubs for spring blooms and fall color. Then, fill the gaps with perennial flowers.
And that’s about it! Don’t let your outdoor kitchen look like an industrial, lifeless extension of your home. Take advantage of its location to elevate the space with gorgeous, practical greenery you can enjoy all year long.
