A Bigger, Better Design: Is the U Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Right For You?
In your quest to find the perfect U shaped outdoor kitchen plans, you probably came across a variety of U shaped outdoor kitchens. This popular design is closely related to the L shaped outdoor kitchen design but it takes it one countertop further to create more usable space. The more you know about these U shaped outdoor kitchen ideas, the more it may become a viable option for your outdoor living space. Let’s cover some of the main questions and answers about the U shaped outdoor kitchen.
What Is A U Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Called?
Much like the name suggests, the U shaped outdoor kitchen is in the shape of the letter U, with two longer islands attached on one end to a shorter island. This type of kitchen is also called a horseshoe or gulf kitchen. It is included in the broad category of peninsula or island outdoor kitchens, which refers to a kitchen that is typically freestanding without any walls.
Is U Shaped The Most Popular Outdoor Kitchen Shape?
The U shaped outdoor kitchen design is certainly one of the most popular designs, but it’s not because it requires a lot more space, it is not as popular as an L shaped outdoor kitchen design which can be tucked into a corner of the patio and take up less space both visually and practically. A U shaped kitchen with an island is the ultimate for usability, but it’s also very large (consider about three feet between the countertops and the island, plus the depth of the island and the depth of two counters).
Are U Shaped Outdoor Kitchens Outdated?
For several decades after World War II, the U shaped outdoor kitchen was very popular. After the 1970s as backyards shrank in size, many home designers gradually adopted the island kitchen design. Though it’s certainly not as popular as it once was, the U shaped outdoor kitchen is still a driving force in landscape design.
A U shaped outdoor kitchen should not be considered outdated. In fact, many outdoor kitchen designers and kit manufacturers have found innovative ways to make this classic design relevant once again. Excellent contemporary versions of the U shaped outdoor kitchen include a generous amount of bar seating, which can replace the traditional outdoor dining table and make the kitchen the hub of backyard entertaining.
Is U Shaped The Most Efficient Outdoor Kitchen?
The answer to this question partly depends on your available outdoor living space. A U shaped kitchen island does very well in a closed floor plan setting where several cooks can work together in unison without much outside interference. In terms of design, yes, it’s very efficient. And in terms of entertaining, a U shaped outdoor kitchen with bar seating creates an entertaining hub that is a joy from both the cook’s and the guests’ perspectives.
But keep in mind that U shaped outdoor kitchen dimensions have to be generous enough to make the interior usable and not crowded. Consider how many cooks you have and how big of an outdoor kitchen you can fit on your patio.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A U Kitchen Outside?
There is really only one difference between a U shaped outdoor kitchen and an L-shaped outdoor kitchen: the size. This difference has a big effect on the layout and flow of the kitchen and, of course, a bigger outdoor kitchen will demand more space in the backyard. The difference you will see the most on paper, however, is the difference in cost between the two.
There are three standard measurements when it comes to building a U-Shaped outdoor kitchen: a small one is 10 feet long, a mid-size one is 16 feet long, and a large one is 20 feet long. A U shaped outdoor kitchen has another long section of countertop, so it will have around sixty percent more counter space than an L-Shaped outdoor kitchen.
With sixty percent more length, you can expect that the basic structure alone will cost around sixty percent more to build; and then you’ll need to factor in appliances, cabinets, lighting, plumbing, and bar seating.
Since the average homeowner is likely to spend around $13,000 on their outdoor kitchen, you can expect a good estimate of around $21,000 for a basic U shaped outdoor kitchen.
Is A U Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Good?
Yes! There are many benefits to choosing a U shaped outdoor kitchen design. Professional chefs and serious cooks agree that the convenience of a U shaped cooking space is hard to beat. Let’s look into some of the many benefits of choosing a U shaped outdoor kitchen design.
Maximizing Usable Space
A U shaped design will maximize the amount of usable space that’s available for your outdoor kitchen. The U shape is three kitchen islands attached together which presents a very large amount of counter and storage space and provide the opportunity for expanded seating. It will also allow you to add more of the appliances and equipment that improve your outdoor cooking. And, it’s a natural for creating the coveted Kitchen Triangle (storing, prepping, and cooking food).
Dedicated Kitchen Area
A U shaped design will make the outdoor kitchen space easily distinguishable from other parts of your outdoor living space. It will have a commanding presence in your backyard and if you’re a serious cook who doesn’t like a crowd in the kitchen, bar seating presents an attractive option for the cook and guests alike. Everyone can be in on the action without getting in the way.
Entertaining Opportunities: A U shaped design will make the outdoor kitchen the hub of outdoor living, providing you with the perfect setting for entertaining on a small or large scale.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A U Shaped Outdoor Kitchen?
While a U shaped outdoor kitchen will provide tons of counter and storage space, there are a few drawbacks to the design. Before you fall too in love with this outdoor kitchen design, just be aware that some of these drawbacks come from designers as well as actual customer experiences. Let’s go over some of the disadvantages of a U shaped outdoor kitchen.
Reduced Floor Area On a Small Patio
With extra counter space, there is going to be less available space for the floor area if you’re trying to fit this large structure into a relatively small outdoor space. This can sometimes make the U shaped outdoor kitchen feel somewhat cramped.
Tight Traffic Flow
An island kitchen design will always allow for multiple points of entry and exit in an outdoor kitchen. This will ensure that foot traffic always flows well and there aren’t too many choke points where it becomes difficult to move around. By contrast, a U shaped kitchen design has only one entry and exit point, making movement difficult if there are more than two or three people.
Too Many Corners
In any kitchen design, corners are always tricky. These tight spots can make getting to a drawer or cabinet difficult, especially with a few people working. A U shaped outdoor kitchen has two corners which may require creative design for maximum usability.
Keep in mind that some outdoor kitchen designers and kit manufacturers have solved many of these issues by reducing the angle in the U shape of this outdoor kitchen design. Instead of making 90 degree bends, some U shaped outdoor kitchens will have 45 degree angles at the corners. This, of course, greatly increases the footprint and only works on large patios.
What Are The Typical Dimensions Of A U Shaped Outdoor Kitchen?
A small U shaped kitchen will be around 10 feet on the longer islands and 6 feet on the shorter island (although you can always make all three sides the same length when measured from inside the kitchen). A mid-sized version will be around 16 feet on the longer side and a larger version will be around 20 feet on the longer island.
Some of the more innovative island U shaped outdoor kitchen designs have made things smaller, often fitting into a square of 8 feet by 8 feet. This will mean a one-cook space, narrower countertops, and smaller appliances but it could be a great solution for smaller spaces.
Where Does The Sink Go In A U Shaped Outdoor Kitchen?
Even though many kitchen designers consider the sink to be one of the essential kitchen components, some outdoor kitchens don’t even include a sink. This is likely because they are more focused on the grill island while leaving the majority of kitchen appliances are located in the indoor kitchen. But to make your U shaped kitchen fully self-contained to avoid unnecessary trips to the house, you’ll need a sink. For U shaped outdoor kitchen with sinks, there are a few places they can go:
Next to the plumbing: Wherever the plumbing enters your outdoor kitchen, that is the ideal location to where your sink should go (or at least as close to that as possible). Plumbing is expensive and the smaller amount of piping used, the cheaper the overall project cost.
Next to counter space: The purpose of a sink is to clean produce, hands, or dishes. Cleaning produce and dishes will require some counter space on one or both sides of the sink, so make sure that there’s some space to spare nearby.
A great view: The sink is normally the location of some pretty tedious work, so it’s always a little better when there’s something attractive to look at. Place your sink so the space behind it is framed with a gorgeous view. It seriously makes washing dishes more enjoyable.
Do U Shaped Outdoor Kitchens Come In Kits?
Absolutely! In fact, several of our favorite outdoor kitchen kit designers and manufacturers have made a version of the U shaped outdoor kitchen. These kits come with all materials ready to assemble. This makes them much easier and often much cheaper than any customized outdoor kitchen. Let’s go over some of our favorite U shaped outdoor kitchen kits!
The Mont Alpi 400 Deluxe 45 Degree U Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Kit is built with an open U shaped kitchen design. It includes a stunning liquid propane grill as well as a side burner and rotisserie kit. This is a simple and affordable way to cook some amazing meals in your backyard.
The Mont Alpi 805 Deluxe 45 Degree U Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Kit is an upgraded version of the 400 Deluxe with the added benefit of a 2.6 cubic foot refrigerator cabinet, ensuring that all those cool drinks and snacks are well within reach!
The Cal Flame Customizable 15 Foot Grand Pavilion U Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Kit is one that really lives up to the “grand” in its title. It’s a compact and stunning combination of all the kitchen essentials, smartly designed to have everything within reach and enough space for two to three people to cook together. It’s a serious winner in the outdoor kitchen circles.
Final Thoughts
Before you spring on a U shaped outdoor kitchen, consider whether you have the space for this large structure… how many cooks will be active at the same time… whether you really need all that extra counter space and storage… and whether it will fit into your budget.