Custom Outdoor Kitchens in Knoxville & East Tennessee
Cook, Gather and Celebrate Outside
The best parties always end up in the kitchen, so why not put the kitchen where the view is? An outdoor kitchen brings everything you need to cook and host right onto your deck or patio: the grill, the prep space, the sink, the cold drinks and plenty of room for everyone to gather. Smoky Mountain Deck Builders designs and builds custom outdoor kitchens across Knoxville and East Tennessee, from simple grilling stations to fully covered kitchens with stone counters and a fireplace nearby. You’ll see the whole layout in a 3D rendering before we start.
What We Build Into Outdoor Kitchens
- Grilling stations and built-in appliances in stainless steel, which resists rust and corrosion
- Granite or sealed stone countertops with plenty of room to prep and serve
- Outdoor sinks and bars that make cleanup and entertaining easier
- Weather-resistant cabinetry and storage for tools, dishes and supplies
- Refrigeration and extras like a drink fridge or pizza oven, when space and budget allow
- Seating at a bar counter or a nearby dining area
Covered Outdoor Kitchens
In East Tennessee, a roof is often what turns an outdoor kitchen from a summer novelty into a space you use most of the year. We build gable and shed roofs, pergolas and covered deck structures that shelter the cooking area from sun and rain. One recent Rockwood project framed the kitchen cabinets and topped the space with a shingled gable roof to match the home. Under an elevated deck, an under-deck dry ceiling can turn the patio below into a dry, finished spot for an outdoor kitchen.
Pair Your Kitchen With the Rest of Your Backyard
Outdoor kitchens shine when they’re part of a complete outdoor living space. Popular pairings include:
- Patios and hardscapes: paver or natural-stone patios, walkways and seat walls that give the kitchen a solid, level base
- Fire features: a wood-burning or gas fire pit or outdoor fireplace so the party continues after dinner
- Pergolas: cedar or aluminum pergolas for shade and a place to hang lights
- Screen rooms: a screened dining area next to the kitchen keeps bugs away from the table
- LED lighting: task lighting over counters and ambient lighting for evening
In Rockwood, for example, we built a stacked-stone kitchenette as part of a backyard that also included a new patio, a flagstone walkway, a stone wood-burning fire pit and a freestanding cedar pergola with a metal roof and ceiling fan. In the Farragut area, a concrete grill pad was built alongside a new deck, a fire pit and a cedar screen room.
Built for Tennessee Weather
Hot, humid summers, heavy rain and the occasional hard freeze are tough on outdoor spaces. We choose materials to match: stainless steel for grills and appliances, sealed stone for countertops, weather-resistant cabinetry that won’t warp, and roofing or covers that extend the life of everything underneath. With a roof overhead, heaters for cool evenings and LED lighting for after dark, your outdoor kitchen can be a gathering spot in every season.
Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen
Layout and flow
The key to a great outdoor kitchen is flow. You want the grill, prep space and sink close together, with a clear path to the table and room for guests to gather without crowding the cook. We work through the layout with you on-site and refine it in your 3D rendering.
Utilities and permits
Gas lines, electrical and water need to be planned early. Depending on the scope and where you live, permits may be required, and we handle the permitting as part of our process.
What affects cost?
The number and type of appliances, countertop material, cabinetry, utilities, roof or pergola coverage and the patio or deck the kitchen sits on all shape the price. Your detailed proposal and 3D rendering show the design and cost together, and financing options are available.
Timeline
Most outdoor projects take 3 to 8 weeks from the start of construction, depending on scope, materials and weather.
Outdoor Kitchen FAQ
Can I use my outdoor kitchen year-round?
With a covered roof or pergola, heaters or a nearby fire feature and good lighting, many homeowners cook outside through most of the year.
Can an outdoor kitchen go on a deck?
Yes, with the right planning. The deck has to be designed for the weight of counters and appliances, and grills need proper clearances. We plan for both from the start.
What features should I include?
Start with a grill, plenty of counter space, a sink and storage. Add a fridge, pizza oven or bar if space and budget allow.
Let’s Design Your Outdoor Kitchen
Imagine firing up the grill while friends gather at the counter and the sun sets over the trees. Request your free consultation and we’ll design an outdoor kitchen that fits the way you host. Browse the outdoor kitchens gallery and fire features gallery for ideas, or see all of our outdoor living services.