Le outdoor kitchens represent one of the most fascinating evolutions in the field of contemporary furniture and architecture, indicating a completely new conception of outdoor living. Partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic that exploded in 2020, citizens of all countries around the world are now much more attentive to the quality of life, favoring contact with nature and spending much more time outdoors with friends and family. But the idea of cooking outdoors is not so recent! In this article, we will explore why outdoor kitchens are so successful, but also the history of when they were born, from their inception to their current position.

Outdoor kitchens: the origin and evolution of a global phenomenon

As we have just mentioned, the idea of cooking outdoors is certainly not new but, out of necessity or tradition, has existed for centuries in different cultures. Think, for example, of the ancient Mediterranean civilizations, where the summer heat made it more practical to cook outside homes, or the peoples of South America, where Argentine asado and Brazilian churrasco have become symbols of genuine and convivial cuisine. However, the modern concept of outdoor kitchen, as we understand it today, equipped with grills, stoves, ovens, and high-quality accessories, dates back to the United States of the 1950s and 1960s. In the post-war period, in fact, with the growth of the middle class and the suburban building boom, American families began to invest more and more in improving their homes and moving many activities outdoors, including meal preparation. Barbecues, in particular, already became an important symbol of leisure culture and sociality at that time, although it was not until the 1970s and 1980s that we began to talk about real kitchen spaces, complete with sinks, refrigerators, and worktops. Now quite different from the grills and picnic tables used up to that point, outdoor kitchens will develop even more in the 1990s, when they will begin to be made with materials specifically designed for outdoor use, marking the beginning of a diffusion that, in the last two decades, has gone well beyond the borders of the United States, first conquering Europe and then the rest of the world. This international success has been fueled by numerous factors, including:

• changes in lifestyle due to increased leisure time and greater attention to well-being, which have pushed many people to start enhancing the outdoor spaces of their homes, using their outdoor kitchen as a natural extension of domestic living;

• the evolution of technology and design with which modern outdoor kitchens are made, increasingly complete and functional, with high-quality appliances and accessories;

• the spread of the culture of conviviality, perfectly represented by outdoor kitchens, which create a space where guests can interact with those preparing meals;

• the greater attention to sustainability and zero-kilometer cuisine, which promotes the cultivation and preparation of fresh food directly from one’s garden.

Today, outdoor kitchens are one of the most sought-after elements in luxury homes and beyond, where the trend is to create multifunctional spaces using materials that blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment and purchasing increasingly smart devices and lighting systems.

The success of outdoor kitchens in Italy: what are the crucial factors

In recent years, due to a series of cultural, climatic, and social factors, the trend of outdoor kitchens has experienced significant growth in Italy as well, becoming an increasingly desired component in homes with outdoor spaces. In addition to a favorable climate, in fact, in our peninsula there is a well-established gastronomic tradition that places food at the center of social and family life, transforming it from a simple nutrient to a real experience to be shared. Outdoor kitchens have therefore allowed Italians to combine their passion for good food with the pleasure of living outdoors and transform gardens, terraces, and courtyards into real extensions of their homes, where they can relax and entertain guests. This trend is increasingly influenced and amplified by social media, where the beauty of Italian outdoor kitchens is often praised, capable of combining aesthetics and functionality and standing out for the quality of materials, technological innovation, elegant design, and adaptability. Whether it’s a villa in the countryside, a house by the sea, or a city apartment with a large terrace, outdoor kitchens are always custom-designed to adapt to any space and satisfy any need.

The future of outdoor kitchens: talking about innovation and sustainability

The world of outdoor kitchens is constantly evolving and the future promises to bring exciting innovations that will change the way we live and experience these spaces. Emerging trends suggest a path that aims towards sustainability, advanced technology, and the creation of unique and personalized experiences. Technological innovations and design will be increasingly sophisticated and will allow for the creation of even more functional and efficient spaces, while reducing environmental impact. Only materials already often in use will be used, such as stainless steel, FSC-certified wood, and natural stones, LED lighting systems and solar panels to power appliances, as well as rainwater recovery mechanisms and water-saving devices. New outdoor kitchens could also include elements such as tandoori ovens, teppanyaki grills, or integrated smokers, allowing owners to explore a variety of international cuisines without leaving home. The idea of “farm-to-table” cooking will also become more widespread, with dedicated spaces for growing herbs and vegetables directly in the garden, ready to be used in your favorite recipes!

With the evolution of housing needs, the design of outdoor kitchens will increasingly move towards modular and flexible solutions that adapt to the available space and specific needs of each individual. Even more than today, it will be possible to combine different modules, such as grills, ovens, sinks, and worktops, in customized configurations that can be easily expanded or reduced according to needs: a particularly useful solution for those with limited space or for those who want to have an outdoor kitchen that adapts to different contexts, such as a family lunch or a big party. But the future of outdoor kitchens will also and above all concern their usability throughout the year. In addition to the covers and heating systems already available, in fact, the development of innovative solutions is expected to make outdoor cooking pleasant even in the colder months: integrated fireplaces, heated floors, and transparent windbreaks could become standard in many installations. These developments will make outdoor kitchens no longer a simple extension of the house, but a real livable and functional space in every season, capable of offering comfort and conviviality regardless of weather conditions: a space that responds to the increasingly widespread concept of staycation, that is, a vacation spent at home, offering all owners of outdoor kitchens the possibility of enjoying a luxury experience without having to leave their home. It is therefore not a simple trend, but rather a profound change in the way of living and conceiving domestic spaces.