Split your outdoor kitchen and entertainment space into distinctive living zones as you would inside. This incredible backyard by Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet in Bridgehampton, New York offers a barbecue, grill, countertops and kitchen storage, alongside a dining area and an outdoor daybed. The perfect fusion of form and function, we can't imagine a more luxurious spot to while away a lazy sunny afternoon.

In the warmer months, expansive bi-fold doors help this modern home to blur the boundaries between outside and in by revealing a fully integrated kitchen within a covered terrace. The blonde wood cabinets create a cool contrast against black Crittall-style window frames.  

A sandstone patio marks out this elegant outdoor dining and entertainment space, which includes a state-of-the-art granite kitchen. Set at the rear of the garden, Cube 1994 designed the kitchen with everything an alfresco chef could need; a kamado grill, an outdoor fridge, a double barbecue and plenty of shelving and storage for cooking utensils and logs.

For a sophisticated, modern scheme with an industrial-style edge, frame your outdoor kitchen with modular concrete panels. Long space-efficient worktops offer plenty of room for food prep, while the green egg-style stove is a quirky addition. Wooden pallet boxes and chopped tinder wood stored under the counter add a warming, rustic touch.

A little colour can go a long way outdoors. This quirky splashback in teal and terracotta may look like decorative tiling, but the pattern has actually been painted directly onto the garden fence with the help of a stencil – you can make your own or buy a premade design. An upcycled copper bowl and piping form a quirky makeshift sink, proving that with a little imagination, a stylish scheme can be achieved on a modest budget.

A garden room fitted with an outdoor kitchen is a great way to add function and form to your backyard. This dramatic black and grey outdoor kitchen, designed by Warnes McGarr, features stylish slate-effect units and a louvered canopy that allows light to flood in.

A covered kitchen station in warm characterful wood makes a quirky addition to a garden, as well as providing a handy weatherproof cooking space. If you include a barbecue or wood-fired oven, opt for a long chimney to funnel smoke away from the kitchen and any guests perched on the two snug breakfast bars.

If your outside area is snug, you can still create a stylish outdoor kitchen. Tall slatted panels fitted out with shelving can offer space-efficient storage and food preparation zones, while a wall-mounted herb garden keeps fresh ingredients close to hand. 

Designed by @calimingopools, this incredible contemporary pergola sits over a sunken outdoor kitchen. Set within a wow-factor garden that features a jaw-dropping swimming pool, complete with a waterfall and cinema screen, the luxury design features unusual circular worktops, echoing the flow of the water. 

You don't need a huge garden to create an attractive outdoor kitchen – a slim contemporary grill and a sleek outdoor sink allow easy alfresco cooking in the snuggest of spaces, even a pocket-sized balcony. We love this streamlined design, which features contemporary open shelving that doesn't obstruct the view. 

A DIY island is an easy and affordable way to add an outdoor kitchen to your garden. Built with reclaimed bricks, this design by My 100 Year Old Home imparts a characterful rustic vibe, while a concrete worktop and bar complement the stainless steel cupboard fronts. A raised breakfast bar provides a handy dining area on the opposite side.

Designed by award-winning landscape and building company Warnes McGarr, this garden combines stunning textural planting with modern living spaces for cooking and dining. The architectural space includes a wood-fired pizza oven, wooden bench-style seating and LED garden lighting for late-night entertaining.

This contemporary decked terrace by @outstandingconstruction is made for alfresco dinner parties. A sloped roof decorated with festoon lighting shelters the smart outdoor kitchen-diner, complete with a wood-fired oven. Meanwhile, the eye-catching firepit adds an atmospheric touch and is sure to warm your guests well into the night.

White wooden beams and slate grey roof tiles give this incredible outdoor kitchen by The Creativity Exchange an instant Hamptons-style vibe. Inside, the elegant scheme continues with coastal-inspired muted grey and white tones. The grill and breakfast island frame an impressive seating area fitted with a fireplace and a wall-mounted TV. 

This DIY outdoor kitchen is another example of how a white colour scheme can make your outside area shine. Designed and built by @angelicas.hem, the L-shaped wooden units feature discreet under-counter storage and a sturdy but stylish poured concrete worktop. Lit with vintage-inspired festoon lights and set against a wood pallet splashback, we're getting serious coastal vibes from this sleek but simple space.

When it comes to transforming your backyard into a luxurious culinary space fit for a contemporary cookout, think sleek, stylish lines, open storage and built-in appliances. A wood-fired oven and kamado grill slot seamlessly into this streamlined design, while the back-lit storage alcove adds architectural interest befitting of an elegant eatery. 

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