See this ultra-cool outdoor kitchen in London - and 5 expert tips for creating your own
Take inspiration from this seriously stylish outdoor kitchen...

By Ruth Doherty
In a leafy suburb of south-west London behind the facade of a pretty Victorian terraced house lies a remarkable urban paradise.
The owner and his wife spent the first few months of lockdown imagining what a summer staycation of dreams might look like, before setting about turning it into a reality.
Bringing together some of London’s most coveted glazing specialists, garden designers, landscapers, and kitchen and joinery designers at Blakes London, they were able to create a space within their home that meant they never wanted to leave.
As Ibiza aficionados with an earlier career promoting nightclubs, years of entertaining on the White Isle and throughout the glamorous party hotspots of Europe had a significant impact on the clients’ vision for the space.
From the relaxed seating area to the outdoor kitchen and dining area, through to the kids play cabin, this garden screams good times.
But the showstopper within the garden is undoubtedly the outdoor kitchen.
The units are made from sustainably sourced Iroko timber. This African hardwood is a fantastic alternative to teak, particularly for outdoor furniture, as its naturally high oil content makes it incredibly stable and unlikely to crack as temperatures change. And unlike teak and oak, which tend to bleach and turn silver over time, Iroko starts as the soft yellows you see in these images and darkens to a deep, rich, coppery tone.
Fully kitted out with not just one, but two barbecues, the clients wanted the ability to cook for large groups and also ensure they had all the necessary toys to create restaurant standard fare. Burgers, sausages and delicate fish work fantastically well on the Napoleon integrated gas BBQ. However, for a show-stopping extravaganza, the ceramic Egg BBQ is the hero.
Blakes London chose to use large format Xtone porcelain tiles for the work surface of the kitchen. Xtone is a fabulous low maintenance and highly functional alternative to concrete or renders.
This large-format porcelain tile will maintain it’s colour over time and is both frost and heat resistant. An added benefit being that it is incredibly hygienic so can be used as a food prep surface. Perfect for this family who loves to make their own pizzas in the Ooni wood-fired pizza oven. Bellissima!
See more outdoor kitchen ideas
-
-
White living room ideas: 25 schemes and ideas for a chic white living room
These striking and stylish white living room ideas that prove white walls can be pale and interesting...
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
The best bathroom cabinets - a stylish edit of our favorite storage pieces
The best bathroom cabinets chosen for style, practicality and being able to fit in all sorts of awkward spaces
By Alison Davidson •
-
How to bring the outdoors in: 23 fun and modern ways to embrace the outdoors in your home
Here are some of our favourite methods on how to bring the outdoors in. No garden, patio, balcony or terrace needed...
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Front door ideas: 15 front door colours, plus practical advice from the experts
Front door ideas for an exterior colour refresh
By Livingetc •
-
10 ideas for small gardens on a budget - how to maximise style for minimal cost
Small gardens on a budget are still easy to make look good. Especially with these clever ways to make the most of your outdoor space without a big spend
By Sarah Wilson •
-
Modern outdoor furniture ideas – the best outdoor furniture for modern gardens and backyards
We've pulled together 20 modern outdoor furniture ideas for 2021 to refresh and revive your outdoor space
By Livingetc •
-
Small backyard ideas – 10 stylish ideas for small backyards
These small backyard ideas add masses of style to small outdoor spaces
By Caroline Donald •
-
Best barbecue 2021: get grilling with our roundup of the best charcoal, gas and hybrid BBQs
Turn up the heat with the best barbecue ahead of summer 2021, featuring BBQs from Weber, Char-Broil, Everdure and more
By Millie Fender •
-
Best gas barbecues 2021: our top 7 Weber, Everdure and Char-Broil gas BBQs
The best gas barbecues of 2021 for alfresco entertaining in the sun, including BBQs from Weber, Everdure and more
By Millie Fender •
-
5 things to do in the garden that make you happy
Gardening makes us happy – it’s a given. But you can add to the happy quota by focusing on a few special things that will make time spent in your garden doubly soothing.
By Sarah Wilson •