Of the myriad of decisions you’ll inevitably make for your outdoor kitchen project… figuring out the right finish might be the most brain-busting of them all.
It’s not unlike choosing the right shade of paint for an interior room. Holding up a color palette to a blank white wall is a surefire gateway to analysis paralysis… and it’s the same for your outdoor kitchen finish.
But fear not! Our Design Team here at RTA has helped thousands of homeowners nail down the right finish choice for their outdoor kitchen projects… and we’ve learned a thing or two along the way.
In this article, you will discover common finish options, learn what questions to ask yourself to narrow those options down, and by the end… you might not be 100% certain about what outdoor kitchen finish to choose, but you’ll at least know what style is right for you. That’s the first step in picking the right finish.
What Outdoor Kitchen Finish Colors & Styles Are Out There?
In order to figure out what finish you should choose for your outdoor kitchen… first, you must see what options are available!
Broadly speaking, there are many variations you could choose for an outdoor kitchen finish. There’s natural stone, wood, flagstone, tile, stucco, brick, steel, concrete, and modern finishes like plank.
To give you a feel for what’s out there, below is a selection of all RTA outdoor kitchen finishes. From modern, to classic, to rustic… this range will give you a good sense of what’s currently available.
4 Questions to Ask Yourself to Pick the Right Outdoor Kitchen Finish
Question 1: What Other Materials & Textures do You Have in Your Backyard?
If you already have other features in your outdoor living space (fireplace, retaining walls, patio, etc.)… you’ll have to take the aesthetics of these features into consideration with your outdoor kitchen cabinetry.
You want the textures to mesh well together, yes… but you’re not necessarily looking for a perfect match. In fact, we’d generally recommend you avoid trying to get a 100% match! This is because, in reality, you’ll never be able to achieve the ideal match you’re looking for.
In the case of RTA outdoor kitchens… a poured concrete stacked stone will never perfectly match your natural stone retaining wall, for example. Which means, you’ll have two distinct backyard features that look close, but not close enough… which then creates a dissonant look in the space.
Instead, we recommend choosing an outdoor kitchen finish that stands on its own… but still complements the backyard features you might already have.
For example: if you have a natural stone patio, go with an outdoor kitchen finish that’s more neutral or less textured. A modern concrete or plank finish would be a great fit here.
Question 2: Do You Prefer Traditional Outdoor Kitchen Design?
Traditionally speaking, outdoor kitchen finishes would be chosen to match a fire feature or retaining wall.
As we just mentioned, it’s not recommended to try to get a 1-to-1 finish match between these features… but if you like the idea of this, it indicates you may be more drawn to a rustic finish.
If you love the traditional, hand-hewn look of natural stone or wood… a stacked stone, weathered wood, or reclaimed brick finish could be right up your alley.
It’s also worth considering what might be traditional to your location. Areas like the Northeast, Texas, and the Mountain West will naturally lend themselves well to these more rustic aesthetics.
Question 3: Do You Lean Towards a Modern, Cleaner Aesthetic?
On the other side of the coin… maybe a rustic outdoor kitchen finish simply isn’t drawing your attention. You’re not alone!
More and more homeowners are flocking to newer outdoor kitchen design concepts. The trends are pushing outdoor kitchens to become the crowning element of your backyard space, rather than just a side feature. (We love to see it!)
Homeowners are increasingly more interested in creating a fully functional indoor / outdoor space. They want an inviting outdoor kitchen space that draws people in… and encourages them to kick back and relax.
For that, the modern look works beautifully. Modern outdoor kitchen finishes are sleek, inviting, and offer a high-end aesthetic.
Your eyes can’t help but be drawn to the clean lines on a slat, plank, or even modern concrete finish. These finishes provide a refreshing look that commands your attention.
Question 4: Do You Prefer an Understated or Bold Outdoor Kitchen Look?
Also consider where you land on the “understated vs bold” spectrum.
Do you prefer more muted, earthy tones… or loud colors? Generally speaking, modern finishes tend to favor the soft, understated hues of color. Think beige, medium blue, and gray.
And if you favor bold colors, we have a suggestion for you. Instead of trying to hunt down a full outdoor kitchen in firetruck red… you’re typically better off using bold colors as accent pieces.
Sometimes, you can even use appliances to get the bold colors you want. Some appliance brands offer bright red kamado smokers (like Kamado Joe) or vivid yellow pizza ovens (like Coyote).
An understated vs bold outdoor kitchen doesn’t just refer to finish colors, either. It can also refer to the size and scale of your outdoor kitchen project.
A modest linear island with a couple appliances will have an understated effect. Whereas, an elaborate U-shaped custom outdoor kitchen with tons of appliances will be a bold statement piece… even if a more understated finish is chosen.
How to Decide What Outdoor Kitchen Finish is Right for You
If you:
- Don’t have a lot of different features in your backyard
- Prefer a more rustic, natural look
- Enjoy more bold shades and textures
Consider a stacked stone, reclaimed brick, or weathered wood finish.
If you:
- Have a traditionally designed backyard with fireplaces or retaining walls
- Prefer a clean, modern look
- Enjoy understated tones and textures
Consider a modern concrete or plank finish.
If you:
- Like elements of both modern and rustic design
- Are open to unique styles that blend across categories
- Have a backyard that isn’t distinctly rustic or modern
Consider a modern stone or slat finish.
Next Steps: Visualizing Your Outdoor Kitchen Finish
Now that you’ve quizzed yourself on a series of questions… At this stage, you should feel confident about what style of outdoor kitchen finish is right for you.
You might not have it narrowed down to a single finish, but a selection of 2-3 options is a great place to be.
If you need help visualizing what the best finish for your outdoor kitchen cabinets might be… we have an excellent tool to help you do just that.
RTA’s free online design tool has an intuitive AR (augmented reality) feature on the last page of the 5 step process.
When you submit your customized design, we’ll text a link to your smartphone. Upon opening, you’ll see the outdoor kitchen you just designed superimposed on your camera app.
Step into your backyard, place your outdoor kitchen where you think it should go… and voila! Test out a few different finishes and see for yourself how it’ll look in your space.
