Whether it’s the beginning of spring or the peak of summer… grilling and entertaining is the height of outdoor living.
And while a freestanding grill is a decent way to satisfy your BBQ cravings… the experience doesn’t hit its pinnacle until you have a patio island.
Hence, why you’ve landed on this very article.
A patio island is an excellent addition to your backyard space… but it raises a ton of questions.
What type of patio island do you want?
Who should you buy one from?
What are your design and layout options?
All of these are great questions… that all deserve a detailed, thought-out answer. (Which you’ll receive in this article!)
Who are we to talk?
Well, we live and breathe outdoor kitchens! We’ve designed and built thousands of patio islands over the years… as well as deeply analyzed grill island offerings from other brands. Immersion in the outdoor kitchen space is what we do best.
With all that said… let’s get started.
3 Types of Patio Islands
Before you jump in full steam ahead on your patio island project… you first must decide what kind of patio island you’d like.
Thankfully, after hearing the description of each kind… it’ll be pretty easy to know what type piques your interest.
Grill Island
Otherwise known as an outdoor kitchen or a BBQ grill island… this is the option that most likely came to mind first.
It’s an outdoor island with a grill inside (or some other cooking appliance).
That’s it!
But a grill island can be much more than this bare-bones definition. It can include a kamado or pellet grill rather than natural gas… and it can include other appliances like side burners, flat tops, access doors, or storage drawers.
No matter how much you choose to deck out your grill island… if you’re primarily focused on grilling, this kitchen design is likely the right choice for you.
But what if you prefer making a drink over flipping burgers?
Bar Island
If you’re more of an entertainer rather than a BBQ enthusiast… for you, it’s going to be all about the bar island.
Whether you’re shaking up cocktails… grabbing a cold one from the fridge… or just pulling up a stool to enjoy a summer night with your friends… a bar island’s going to be the ticket for you.
But what is it, exactly?
Well, it means something different to pretty much everyone.
An outdoor bar could be as simple as a plain outdoor kitchen island, with no appliances or anything… but that’s pretty bare-bones.
In most cases, a bar island involves some storage and an outdoor rated refrigerator… and possibly an outdoor sink to make bartending easier.
You’ll notice there’s no cooking appliances in this setup. If you want the best of both worlds, consider an…
Outdoor Kitchen Bar
Love to entertain and grill? In that case, your dream patio island will come in the form of an outdoor kitchen bar.
It’s a grill island and a bar island, all-in-one!
Typically, an outdoor kitchen bar will form an L shaped layout. You have a dedicated grill island on one end… and a dedicated bar island on the other.
Of course, you can mix-and-match your bar and grill accessories between the two as you wish. It all comes down to personal preference.
Now that you’ve got a baseline for the different patio island types… How about we take a look at some island bundles for purchase?
Not Sure What Kind of Patio Island You Want?
Patio Island Kits
Mont Alpi
Mont Alpi is a well-known modular outdoor kitchen brand… offering a small set of predesigned islands.
All of their islands are made with 304 stainless steel and come with a simple lineup of appliances.
Stainless steel islands are known to get super hot under the sun… and may not be the ideal choice for coastal climates.
304 stainless steel is highly rust and corrosion resistant, yes! However, it’s a bit risky to have a 100% steel island that’s constantly exposed to salty ocean air.
But if you don’t live directly on the shoreline… these outdoor kitchens are decently durable.
With those caveats covered, let’s take a brief look at some Mont Alpi patio islands.
Mont Alpi Propane Gas Grill Island
For a simple, no-frills patio island… you may like the look of Mont Alpi’s 805 propane gas outdoor kitchen.
This layout comes with a large, 6 burner gas grill fit to feed an army… and a small, integrated sear burner on the side for cooking a juicy steak. (Plus a rotisserie kit!)
Each tube burner is 12,000 BTUs, pumping out a total of 72,000 BTUs.
The center of the island offers double drawer storage… and the right side of the unit comes with a set of shelved cabinetry.
No crazy bells and whistles, here! This grill cabinet’s got you covered for your basic entertaining needs.
You can currently purchase this patio island on BBQGuys for $4,131.55.
Mont Alpi Beverage Center & Bar Island
Product Highlights
warranty
Lifetime
Finish
Stainless Steel, Black Stainless Steel
price
$3,609.05
How about a patio island that can just be used as a bar? Mont Alpi has that, too.
Decked out in a stylish black stainless steel… this bar island lets you bartend at home with some serious class!
You’ve got an under counter sink for rinsing off cutting boards and washing hands… and two glass door refrigerators to keep your stash pleasantly cool.
The only thing that’s missing here is a little bit of storage! A simple drawer to stow away your cocktail making kit would significantly increase the convenience… but you can’t have everything, right? (You can, but that comes later!)
You can purchase this little L shaped patio island for $3,609.05 on BBQGuys.
Mont Alpi Linear Outdoor Kitchen Bar
Product Highlights
warranty
Lifetime
finish
Stainless Steel, Black Stainless Steel
price
$6,368.05
Can’t decide between a BBQ island and a regular bar island? Why not both?
Get the best of both worlds with this extra-long outdoor patio island from Mont Alpi.
This layout includes the same 6 burner gas grill and sear burner that you saw earlier… but with a few extra accessories.
You’ve got a small outdoor sink, mini fridge, drawer storage, and a cabinet.
Essentially, it’s the grill island and bar island we just reviewed smashed into a single unit.
Pretty neat, right?
And if you don’t love the look of this layout… Mont Alpi also sells individual modules for slight mixing-and-matching.
This island is available for purchase on BBQGuys for $6,368.05.
Bull
Primarily known for their line of outdoor grills… Bull also sells a modest line of prefabricated outdoor kitchens. (These are islands that are pre-constructed.)
You can choose from their classic, “Regular Program” line or their newer “DuraBull” line.
The Regular Program is cheaper… made with steel frames, cement board, and a quartzite or stucco finish. These materials are prone to rust, corrosion, water damage, and cracking over time.
So while you may save a bit of cash upfront… you’re likely to be disappointed with the longevity of your investment.
Hence, why Bull now offers their beefed up “DuraBull” outdoor kitchen line. These outdoor kitchen cabinets are instead made with HDPE. This is a type of plastic that is well-suited to the outdoor environment. (With a meaningful difference in price to account for this, of course!)
That said, let’s take a peek at some patio kitchen islands from Bull.
Bull Patio Q Grill Island
Short on space? This little outdoor patio grill island could fit just about anywhere!
Equipped with a modest, 4 burner grill and mini bar top… you can grill and prep with ease!
You’ll also note a small access door underneath the grill to access the interior of your island.
And that’s about all there is to it! The finish is available in 5 colors, and will come with a tile countertop. (We won’t get into the details here, but we recommend steering away from tile.)
Currently, the Patio Q island is priced at $5,928.00 on Bull’s website.
Bull Augusta Outdoor Kitchen Bar
Wait… what happened to the “outdoor bar” category for Bull?
Well, Bull doesn’t offer a design that we’d classify as a standalone outdoor bar. So in this case, we’re skipping straight to the outdoor kitchen bar.
And it’s surely a beaut!
Coming from Bull’s DuraBull line… this large L shaped island is a great foundation for entertaining outdoors.
This design features a 4 burner gas grill dishing out 75,000 BTUs, an outdoor refrigerator… and plenty of storage space spread out amongst the cabinets.
If you just need a grill, a fridge, and plenty of space for guests to sit… there’s not much to complain about with this layout!
At the time of writing, you can purchase the Augusta 10’ kitchen for $22,999.00.
Newage
Newage is a prominent modular outdoor kitchen manufacturer… but they are also well known for their line of garage storage products and outdoor furniture.
When it comes to patio islands… Newage primarily sells individual cabinet units that you can arrange yourself to create a design.
However, they do have some predesigned layouts available that we’ll take a look at.
Newage’s outdoor kitchens will either be constructed from 304 stainless steel or aircraft-grade aluminum. (These will have the same downsides as Mont Alpi that we mentioned earlier.)
It’s also worth noting that not all of Newage’s product listings come with a countertop. If you want the stainless steel countertop included… be sure to double check the item you’re ordering!
Let’s take a closer look.
Newage 5 Piece Grill Island
Product Highlights
warranty
Limited Lifetime
finish
Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
price
$5,809.99
Grill on one side, and prep on the other side with this offset patio island setup!
This layout comes with a 3-burner, 36,000 BTU liquid propane grill, and plenty of storage.
With a set of triple drawers and extra access doors… you’ll have no shortage of space to stow away your BBQ utensils.
And that’s really all there is to it!
At the time of writing, this patio BBQ island goes for a $5,809.99 MSRP.
Newage Aluminum 5 Piece Patio Bar Island
Product Highlights
warranty
Limited Lifetime
finish
Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
price
$4,219.99
For those of you seeking a simple bar island… you’ll appreciate the grayscale hues on this selection from Newage.
The aircraft-grade aluminum has a pleasing slate gray shade… subtly contrasted with the pure stainless steel hardware, countertops, and refrigerator.
The refrigerator does most of the heavy lifting for your entertaining purposes, of course. But the cabinet and drawer storage can be well utilized for storing wine glasses, napkins, and other bar accessories.
You can purchase this setup on Newage’s website for a $4,219.99 MSRP.
Newage 5 Piece Outdoor Kitchen Bar
Product Highlights
warranty
Limited Lifetime
finish
Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
price
$6,119.99
Wrapping up the examples from NewAge… we’ve got their 5 piece (seeing a theme?) outdoor kitchen bar island.
This is another uncomplicated setup for the no-frills entertainer!
This linear patio island includes a 33”, 36”, or 40” built-in grill (with 61,500 – 78,000 BTUs), an outdoor sink… and an abundance of cabinet storage.
Admittedly, there isn’t much room for guests to be seated and enjoy a drink. So if you want more counter space, you may consider adding more modules.
But if this setup is looking just right to you… you can purchase it on Newage’s website for $6,119.99.
Looking for Something More Robust?
RTA Outdoor Living
Now that you’ve seen some selections from a few popular brands… let’s finish out the review with something completely different.
Our ready to assemble outdoor kitchens.
Instead of modular units that you mix-and-match together… RTA islands arrive to your door as solid, high performance concrete panels.
The finish is integrated right into the structure, and in a few hours… you have a complete, all-weather hardy outdoor kitchen that’s ready to grill.
We have a selection of pre-designed islands that reflect our most popular layouts… but you can also fully customize your patio island with our free online design tool.
That said, let’s take a peek at some prime patio island kits.
RTA Grill Island with Power Burner
Product Highlights
warranty
Lifetime
finish
High Performance Concrete Composite
price
$11,195.00
Need to maximize your cooking potential? Look no further than this linear grill island… packed to the gills with a premium grill and aptly-named power burner.
The 36” Coyote grill dishes out 80,000 BTUs of flaming heat… and the power burner can shell out an additional 60,000 BTUs.
So while you’re cooking burgers or searing a steak… you can whip up a side dish at the same time.
And in no time at all, dinner’s served!
You can purchase this outdoor kitchen kit on our site for $11,195.00.
RTA Bar Island with Refreshment Center
Product Highlights
warranty
Lifetime
finish
High Performance Concrete Composite
price
$7,795.00
Easily entertain friends and family with the help of our 7’ refreshment bar island!
Our bar islands sit at a taller height compared to most other brands… allowing you to slide a bar stool under the counter for more comfortable seating.
But that’s not the only benefit!
This patio island comes part and parcel with a full-on refreshment center. This little accessory is far more than just an outdoor sink… it also has an integrated drop-in cooler, condiment tray, cutting board, bottle rack, bottle opener, and a towel holder!
That’s a ton of versatility in a single appliance… So pop open a drink and let the good times roll!
This bar island is currently available for purchase for $7,795.00.
RTA Premium Outdoor Kitchen Bar with Fridge and Pull Out Trash
Product Highlights
warranty
Lifetime
finish
High Performance Concrete Composite
price
$18,389.00
Let’s wrap up this list with a patio island kit that truly takes the cake.
For all your grilling and chilling needs… there’s nothing this L shaped outdoor kitchen can’t do!
The 36” grill with an 80,000 BTU output is your reliable grilling machine… while the refrigerator, refreshment center, and pull out trash bin do the heavy lifting for your hosting needs.
Need to rinse your hands? No problem.
Need to grab a cold drink? It’s right there.
Got some trash that needs to be cleaned up? Make it disappear in seconds.
All in all, this outdoor kitchen design is a surefire way to stress-free hosting.
You can purchase this patio island kit for $18,389.00 on our website.
Patio Island Ideas
Before you go off to continue your research… let’s go beyond window shopping, and get into a little design inspiration.
Because the reality is… the patio island of your dreams may not be found in a kit.
So to whet your designer appetite, get inspired by these 3 layouts.
1. Galley Patio Island with All the Fixings
If you want to go all-out on your outdoor cooking setup… few things will appeal to you more than this galley design.
It’s fully packed with every appliance you could imagine!
You’ve got your standard gas grill, a kamado smoker, a pizza oven, a set of dual side burners… and even an Argentinian grill! (You don’t see those very often.)
With all the incredible food you’ll be making, you need some extra workspace! Hence, where the bar island comes into play.
That wide-open countertop provides plenty of play for food prep… and also doubles as a serving station when you’re ready to plate your delightful dishes.
In our minds, this design doesn’t get better for the true outdoor chef.
2. U Shaped Patio Island Idea Fit for a Feast
Let’s look at another outdoor kitchen design that’s larger than life.
There’s not quite so many cooking appliances here, but there’s still plenty to rave about!
You’ve got a deluxe grill with an integrated sear burner, flat top griddle, pizza oven, and a sleek kamado smoker.
Breakfast al fresco and pizza for dinner, anyone?
And to assist with your entertaining pursuits… you’ve got an outdoor sink, refrigerator, pull out trash, and an open bar top.
While you’re making a pizza, your friends are right there at the bar with you… so you won’t miss a second of the conversation!
What can we say? It’s the complete package.
3. Small Patio Kitchen Island Idea
For our final snippet of design inspiration… let’s dial it back with this modest L shaped layout.
This outdoor kitchen is equipped with all the amenities you would normally expect… just on a smaller scale.
The miniature 2-burner grill is great for the small family of 2-3… and the same goes for that teeny kamado smoker!
Plus, there’s still room leftover for a bit of storage and a pull out trash bin.
Pull up a bar stool, enjoy your burger right outside… and feel free to pop open the umbrella if the sun is beating down too hard.
You know what? Good things do come in small packages.
So now that you’ve got a plethora of patio island ideas dancing in your mind… where do you begin?
This Patio Island Solution is a Dream
At this stage… you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed about where to start.
Well, allow us to ease your worries… because the first step is simple.
Start with creating a custom patio island design!
There’s even a free tool available for you to use… so there’s no need to shell out any of your hard-earned cash.
Our free online design tool allows you to create a fully personalized patio island design in mere minutes.
Just click through the steps, pick out what looks good to you, and at the end… you’ll be greeted with a 3D rendering of the design you just created.
And if you have a smartphone, you can even see what it will look like in your backyard!
The design tool also comes equipped with an AR (augmented reality) feature. Through the camera app on your phone… your design will pop up on the screen as if it’s really in your backyard.
Pretty impressive, right?
Give it a try, let us know how it goes… and we’ll be in touch.
