Outdoor Brick Kitchen Ideas for Every Style
Outdoor brick kitchens offer a harmonious blend of durability, style, and versatility, making them a top choice for architects, landscape designers, and interior designers alike. Whether your project calls for a timeless classic or a bold contemporary statement, brick provides a flexible foundation for creativity.
Brick is an endlessly versatile material, and you’re about to see exactly how much so. This article digs into ten outdoor kitchen ideas using brick, tailored to a variety of aesthetics and functional needs. Plus, it will address key considerations such as whether brick is a good choice for outdoor kitchens, how it compares to stone, and what maintenance may look like.
Outdoor Brick Kitchen Ideas & Inspiration
Outdoor brick kitchens are a versatile canvas for creativity, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal. From timeless classics to sleek modern designs, these spaces can cater to various architectural styles and client preferences.
Whether you're aiming for Mediterranean warmth, industrial edge, or coastal charm, the right combination of materials and finishes can transform any outdoor area into a stunning culinary space. This guide explores ten inspiring outdoor brick kitchen designs to spark ideas for your next project.
1. Classic Outdoor Brick Kitchen with a Wood-Fired Oven
A classic outdoor brick tile kitchen exudes timeless charm and functionality. Centered around a wood-fired oven, this design invites gatherings for pizza nights or artisan bread baking.
For an authentic feel, you might incorporate red brick tiles, complemented by neutral grout to highlight the texture. Adding traditional elements like wrought iron hardware and wooden shelving can lend a cozy, rustic aesthetic.
We’ve seen landscape designers and architects add a pergola overhead to complete this type of look while providing shade. Landscape with herbs and edible plants nearby can also enhance both the visual appeal and functionality of this culinary retreat.
2. Modern Brick Outdoor Kitchen with Sleek, Minimalist Lines
For some contemporary edge, opt for a modern brick outdoor kitchen with clean, minimalist lines. Smooth, monochromatic brick tiles — such as glazed charcoal or white ones — play well into this look, especially when paired with polished concrete countertops.
Integrated appliances and hidden storage can also help maintain the sleek aesthetic, while strip lighting under counters adds a futuristic touch. Linear layouts and L-shaped designs work best to emphasize simplicity.
We often see architects and designers incorporate metal accents like stainless steel or black powder-coated finishes in these types of outdoor kitchens. (These materials harmonize beautifully with the bricks’ clean lines.) You might also surround the space with modern landscaping, such as gravel paths and sculptural plants.
3. Mediterranean Inspired Brick Kitchen with Earthy Tones
Channel the warmth of the Mediterranean with a brick kitchen in earthy tones. Choose unglazed brick tiles in terracotta, ochre, or sandy hues to create a sun-drenched vibe. Arched openings, wrought iron details, and mosaic-tiled accents can also add thematic authenticity.
A terracotta roof or vine-covered pergola can elevate the ambiance even more, while open shelving might display ceramics and clay pots. For added functionality, designers and architects often incorporate a grill or built-in barbecue alongside a brick-clad backsplash. To tie the design together, you might pair the look with natural stone or travertine flooring, crafting a patio that feels like a Tuscan villa.
4. Industrial Brick Outdoor Kitchen with Exposed Metal Elements
An industrial-style brick outdoor kitchen is bold and edgy, ideal for urban aesthetics. With this look, designers combine dark brick tiles with exposed metal beams, riveted steel countertops, and open shelving to achieve a warehouse-inspired look.
Adding Edison bulb lighting fixtures can lend a touch of vintage industrial charm. You might also incorporate functional elements like a stainless steel grill and sink, ensuring they blend seamlessly with the overall aesthetic. Concrete or reclaimed wood flooring can also enhance the rugged appeal.
5. Rustic Farmhouse Brick Outdoor Kitchen with Wooden Accents
Rustic farmhouse charm shines in a brick outdoor kitchen adorned with wooden accents. Opt for warm, weathered brick tiles paired with reclaimed wood beams, barn doors, and butcher block countertops. A farmhouse sink and vintage-style hardware complete the look.
When shade is a priority for the client, consider an overhanging roof or trellis. Incorporating hanging lanterns or string lights can add extra ambiance. You might also include a large farmhouse table in the design to create a communal dining area — and surround the space with the type of lush greenery you might find in the countryside.
6. Contemporary Brick Outdoor Kitchen with Mixed Materials
A contemporary outdoor kitchen combines brick tile with contrasting materials for a bold, modern statement. Pair light or neutral-colored bricks with smooth concrete, glass, or sleek metal finishes to round out your client’s design.
Then there are the details to think about: Modular cabinetry and built-in appliances keep the design streamlined, while a waterfall-style countertop can add a touch of sophistication. Incorporate elements like a vertical herb garden or a fire feature for added visual interest. You might even use geometric patterns in the layout or backsplash to enhance the contemporary vibe.
This style suits a variety of outdoor spaces, from urban patios to expansive backyards.
7. Cozy Outdoor Kitchen with a Brick Tiled Fireplace
Nothing says “cozy” quite like an outdoor kitchen that features a brick-tiled fireplace. This design combines warmth and functionality, making it a year-round favorite.
In this design, use brick tiles in warm, natural tones to line both the fireplace and cooking areas. Also consider including a built-in seating area near the hearth for intimate gatherings. Rustic touches like a wooden mantel or copper accessories can heighten the cozy ambiance even more. String lights or lanterns can provide soft illumination, while plush outdoor cushions complete the look.
This setup is ideal for homes in cooler climates and for clients who enjoy evening entertaining.
8. Coastal-Style Outdoor Kitchen with Light Brick & Weathered Wood Accents
A coastal-inspired outdoor kitchen brings a breezy, relaxed vibe with light brick tiles and weathered wood accents. Consider using white or pale gray glazed bricks to create a clean and airy foundation.
To complete the look? You might complement the tile with driftwood-style cabinetry, rope details, and nautical-inspired lighting. Open shelving can showcase seaside decor like shells or glass jars filled with sand. A built-in grill with a brick surround and a tiled backsplash in shades of blue or aqua can also tie the design to its oceanic roots.
If you’re a landscape designer, consider surrounding the area with beach grasses and stone paths to enhance the space’s coastal charm.
9. Elegant Outdoor Brick Kitchen with a Bar
Elevate your client’s outdoor entertaining with an elegant brick tile kitchen featuring a fully stocked bar. To make this look really sing, opt for sleek, polished bricks in a uniform color palette — such as ivory or deep gray — to create a refined backdrop.
Want to dial up the elegance even more? You might incorporate high-end finishes like marble or granite countertops and decorative barstools with plush seating. Adding a canopy or retractable awning can offer weather protection, too, allowing for year-round use. Built-in wine storage and a beverage fridge enhance functionality, while soft, ambient lighting adds sophistication.
This design is perfect for clients who enjoy having upscale gatherings and intimate evenings.
10. Vintage-Inspired Outdoor Brick Kitchen with Antique Finishes
Step back in time with a vintage-inspired brick kitchen featuring antique touches. Choose aged or distressed brick tiles for an authentic, time-worn look. Add vintage fixtures like brass faucets, ornate handles, and a retro-style pizza oven or grill. And don’t forget to include details such as a mosaic-tiled backsplash or patterned brickwork for added charm.
A cast iron sink and reclaimed wood countertops carry the nostalgic vibe even further. Stage the space with antique decor, like weathered planters or lanterns, to complete the theme.
This design is ideal for those who appreciate old-world elegance and craftsmanship.
Is Brick a Good Choice for an Outdoor Kitchen?
Structural, durable, and decorative, brick adds stately, yet organic personality to any surface — outdoor surfaces included. And since it’s available in a wide variety of sizes, formats, and finishes, there’s sure to be an excellent option for the exterior space you’re planning.
Of course, you should always check a tile’s properties and usage guidelines before selecting it for your outdoor kitchen design. Many types of unglazed brick tile are heat and UV resistant — and slip resistant for flooring installations. Unglazed brick may also be freeze thaw rated, which is important for outdoor kitchen spaces in more varied climates.
Is Brick or Stone Better for an Outdoor Kitchen?
Brick and natural stone offer two different aesthetics, and neither is inherently better than the other when choosing tile for outdoor use. Where brick leans rugged and industrial, natural stone is timeless and elegant. Both are organic and sophisticated in their own right.
As always, it’s important to compare tile options along with their technical specifications when selecting tile for a particular project. Natural brick tile may be more suitable for flooring installations, where slip resistance is paramount. (This is especially true for a busy outdoor kitchen.) This type of tile is also a great idea for adding a more rustic touch to a cooking area. Honed marble tile, on the other hand, is a good option if your client wants, say, a polished looking backsplash.
Is a Brick Outdoor Kitchen Easy to Maintain?
Maintenance varies from tile to tile, so it is important for you, your contractor, and your client to study the tile’s material guidelines for specific care instructions. Natural brick tile, for example, generally needs regular sealing with a penetrating sealer in order to make it resistant to stain, water, and extreme weather exposure.
Aside from sealing, regular maintenance will involve keeping dirt and dust from building up on the tile — and cleaning up spills within a reasonable amount of time. For tougher jobs, the homeowner can expect to use a gentle cleaner formulated specifically for their type of tile.
