• The grill is always the center of mind in any indoor or outdoor kitchen, so it’s best to place your grill downwind, far from the nearest door to the house. This would keep smoke away from your house. Keep a clear path to the fridge for quick, easy trips. 

• Be weather-aware. Grills might be building to withstand weather, but not all you need for your outdoor kitchen would be. Use only appliances and electrical fixtures built for outdoor use, and use-weather-resistant building materials. 

• Determine how frequently you plan to have gatherings so you could decide how much to spend on your outdoor kitchen. Quality gas grills could go for less than $500 or as much as thousands of dollars. Choose what’s right for you. 

• Do not get caught in the dark (or left out in the cold). In addition to lighting your kitchen work space, brighten up the backyard as well. Refer to outdoor-lighting ratings and lighting plans to get it right. Stay warm on cold nights with a patio heater.