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Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for Small Gardens

You don't need a huge garden for a great outdoor cooking space. Here's how to fit one into a patio, deck or courtyard.

By DanUpdated 15 October 20268 min read

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Dan's Weber kettle BBQ on the composite deck he built
My Weber on the deck I built. A kettle and a bit of worktop space go a long way.

The quick answer

  • Start with one compact cooker: a kettle, small kamado, griddle or tabletop pizza oven.
  • Add worktop space with a prep trolley, folding shelf or a short block-built counter.
  • Use corners and walls for an L-shaped station, shelves and hooks.
  • Make things do two jobs: storage benches, trolleys that roll away, and a table that doubles as prep space.
  • Keep it safe: leave space around the grill, and keep it away from fences, sheds and overhanging plants.

Most UK gardens aren't big enough for a huge outdoor kitchen, and they don't need to be. My Weber sits on a deck I built myself, and a cooker plus somewhere to put plates and tools covers most of what you need. These ideas will help you get the most from a small space. For the full planning process, see how to plan an outdoor kitchen.

1. Choose one compact cooker

In a small space, one versatile cooker beats three specialist ones.

  • Charcoal kettle: grills, roasts and smokes in a small footprint. Read my Weber Master-Touch review.
  • Small kamado: grills, smokes and bakes pizza, and holds heat brilliantly in British weather. See are kamados worth it?
  • Two-burner gas BBQ or griddle: fast and convenient for weeknights. See budget gas BBQs and gas griddles.
  • Tabletop pizza oven: sits on a worktop or table and can be stored away when not in use.

Browse tabletop pizza ovens at The Range

2. Add prep space without building

Skewers on a BBQ with a prep trolley alongside
A trolley or side table gives you somewhere to put plates and tools.

The thing most small set-ups lack is worktop space. A few easy fixes:

  • An outdoor prep trolley with a worktop, shelves and hooks. It rolls out of the way when you're not cooking.
  • A wall-mounted folding shelf that drops down flat against a wall or fence (keep it well away from the heat).
  • A sturdy outdoor table that doubles as a prep area and a dining table.

Browse prep trolleys on Amazon

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3. Use corners and walls

Compact outdoor griddle station on a patio
A compact cooking station along one side of a patio.
  • An L-shaped corner station gives you more worktop in less floor space than a straight run.
  • A short block-built counter of 1.2–1.5m next to a freestanding grill gives you permanent prep space. See how to build a BBQ island.
  • Hooks and rails on a nearby wall for tongs, brushes and towels.
Safety: keep your grill well away from timber fences, sheds, trellis and overhanging plants. Check your BBQ's manual for the recommended clearances.

4. Make everything do two jobs

  • Storage benches hold charcoal, covers and tools, and give guests somewhere to sit.
  • Weatherproof storage boxes keep fuel dry and tidy.
  • Covers for the grill and furniture mean you can leave everything out without it weathering.

Small-space kit

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5. Add some shelter

A bit of cover overhead makes a small outdoor kitchen usable for far more of the year. In a small garden, a compact grill gazebo is a neat option. Choose one designed for BBQs, with a hard roof and a vent to let heat and smoke out. Never put a BBQ under a fabric gazebo or umbrella. More detail in pergola vs gazebo vs awning and the best BBQ gazebos.

SUNJOY metal grill gazebo with shelves

A compact hardtop grill shelter with built-in side shelves: shelter and prep space in one small footprint. Check the dimensions against your space before buying.

View at SUNJOY

6. Finishing touches

Skewers cooking on a BBQ with smoke drifting in the evening sun
A summer evening cook in the garden. Some lighting helps once the sun goes down.
  • Lighting: solar or low-voltage lights mean you can still see what you're cooking after dark.
  • Herbs in pots near the grill look good and save a trip to the kitchen.
  • An outdoor rug and cushions make a small patio feel like a room.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have an outdoor kitchen in a small garden?

Yes. A compact cooker, some prep space and storage are all you need. Many small-garden set-ups use a trolley or short counter beside a freestanding grill.

What's the best BBQ for a small garden?

A charcoal kettle, a small kamado or a two-burner gas BBQ all suit small spaces. Choose the fuel you'll use most often.

Can I put a BBQ on a balcony?

Check your lease or building rules first, as many flats ban BBQs on balconies. If they're allowed, an electric grill is usually the safest option.

How close can a BBQ be to a fence?

Follow the manufacturer's recommended clearances. As a rule, keep it well away from fences, sheds and overhanging plants, and never leave it unattended.

Dan, founder of Blaze & Graze
Dan, founder of Blaze & Graze

Home cook, keen DIYer and long-time website builder, writing practical outdoor cooking guides for UK gardens. More about me.