Market research, trade surveys, and cost data point to a growing outdoor kitchen market in 2026:

• The global market was valued at $26.3 billion in 2025, projected to reach $28.6 billion in 2026, with a 9.1% CAGR forecasted from 2026 to 2033. [1]
• Cooking fixtures represented 42.8% of global market revenue in 2025, with refrigerators experiencing the fastest demand growth. [1]
• 85% of outdoor kitchens include a grill; 62% include a beverage refrigerator; 59% include a sink; 29% include a pizza oven. [3]
• Top-requested outdoor features are outdoor kitchens/grills (40% of standard feature requests; 43% of upgrade requests), covered/shaded structures (15–16%), and smart-integrated lighting (16%). [5]
• HomeAdvisor estimates the average installed cost of an outdoor kitchen at $16,533 in 2026. [4]
• Residential projects represented 63.1% of global market revenue in 2025. [1]

This outdoor kitchen trends report will cover growth trends and demand drivers in the outdoor kitchen market, as well as the features that clients are asking for. It also covers how F&C Distributors sees these trends affecting spec and sourcing for landscapers and designers.

Outdoor Kitchen Market Snapshot 2026

Figures combine global market research, trade association discussions, and installed cost estimates, so they measure different things.

Outdoor Kitchen Features Clients Are Asking For

As the outdoor kitchen market expands, customers are asking for more features that landscapers and designers should be ready to deliver. Sourcing from BBQ and grill distributors for dealers and trade pros that stock across categories helps crews deliver the full range of client requests.

• Outdoor kitchens and grill hubs are emerging as a new foundational outdoor living project, representing 40% of standard feature asks and 43% of upgrade requests. [5]
• Covered and shaded structures accounted for 15 to 16% of feature requests in NKBA’s trend discussions. [5]
• In NKBA’s 2019 survey, 58% of outdoor kitchens included a fire pit. [10]
• Outdoor refrigeration is the fastest-growing subset of outdoor kitchens, with a projected 10.8% CAGR from 2026 to 2033. [1]
• Cooking fixtures represented 42.8% of the total market revenue in 2025 [1]. Nearly two-thirds of gas-grill owners opt for side burners [6].
• Kamado grills and specialty cookers are picking up speed, with the market for kamado grills estimated to climb from $170 million in 2025 to $310 million by 2034. Pizza ovens have a forecasted 7.4% CAGR, with smokers forecasted at 5.6%. [11, 12, 13]

How These Trends Affect Spec and Sourcing 

Clients are requesting more features per project [5], so spec and sourcing need to start earlier. Contractors should make sure they’re ready to handle all aspects of a full-service outdoor kitchen hub, preparing for back-end projects like gas and electric utility planning. 

Ordering components in the right order also helps avoid delays. For a complex project involving a variety of features, set hardscape specs before ordering cabinetry so the island footprint is fixed. Hardscape orders also must be coordinated with appliance cutout specs. It’s also important to work with outdoor kitchen distributors for landscapers and designers to coordinate component delivery and obtain these cutout and clearance specs. 

What This Means for Landscapers and Designers in 2026

F&C Distributors reads the 2026 data as a planning signal: clients arrive with longer feature lists, so landscapers and designers who lock specs and sourcing early avoid mid-build delays. Customers are more likely to have an idea of what they want, and many might specifically pursue features that aren’t considered “basic” outdoor kitchen inclusions. To match this demand, landscapers and designers should be planning projects earlier and in more detail. Partnering with a distributor that can supply a full outdoor kitchen is another crucial step. 

F&C Distributors: Supplying the Full Outdoor Kitchen

F&C Distributors is the one-stop distributor for gas logs, fireplaces, venting, chimney products, grills, and outdoor kitchens. F&C Distributors carries Broilmaster and Primo grills for outdoor kitchen and outdoor living projects. Its catalog covers grills, outdoor kitchen cabinets and modular components, and the connectors and accessories needed for installation.

F&C Distributors delivers in-stock items to most of the contiguous U.S. within 2 to 3 days, with many orders arriving the next business day. It is a veteran-owned wholesale distributor serving dealers, builders, designers, architects, landscapers, chimney sweeps, and e-commerce retailers.

Shop Broilmaster, Primo, and more top brands at fandconline.com today. 

FAQs

What outdoor kitchen features are most requested in 2026?

As the core of the outdoor kitchen, grills remain the most-requested feature, representing around 40-43% of asks across all projects. Shaded structures and smart-integrated lighting follow. [5] Refrigeration is the fastest-growing of all outdoor kitchen features [1], with kamado grills, smokers, and pizza ovens growing as specialty categories [11, 12, 13].

How much do homeowners spend on outdoor kitchens?

HomeAdvisor puts most outdoor kitchen projects between $6,269 and $27,087, with an average of $16,533. [4] Cost depends on size, materials, appliances, and utility work.

How far ahead should landscapers order outdoor kitchen components?

Order components as soon as the design is final, and confirm lead times before setting the build schedule. Made-to-order cabinets and specialty cookers take longest, so order them first. F&C Distributors delivers in-stock items to most of the contiguous U.S. within 2 to 3 days, with many orders arriving the next business day.

Sources

1. Grand View Research. (2026). Outdoor Kitchen Market Size, Share & Trend Analysis Report. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/outdoor-kitchen-market-report
2. Grand View Research. (2026). U.S. Outdoor Kitchen Market Size & Outlook, 2026–2033.
3. Houzz Research. (2026). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study. Houzz.https://www.houzz.com/magazine/2026-u-s-houzz-outdoor-trends-study-stsetivw-vs~185306879. 
4. HomeAdvisor. (2026). How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost in 2026? HomeAdvisor. https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/outdoor-living/build-an-outdoor-kitchen/.
5. NKBA Staff. (2026, July 6). Happening in the Hub: Outdoor Living Trends. National Kitchen & Bath Association. https://nkba.org/news/design-trends-news/happening-in-the-hub-outdoor-living-trends/.
6. Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. (2025, June 25). HPBA Insights for July's National Grilling Month. HPBA. https://hpba.org/fire-up-the-grill-celebrate-julys-national-grilling-month-with-insights-into-premium-outdoor-cooking-trends/. 
7. Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. (2025, November 10). 7 Trends Shaping Hearth, Barbecue, and Outdoor Living in 2025. HPBA. https://hpba.org/7-trends-shaping-hearth-barbecue-and-outdoor-living-in-2025/. 
8. Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. (2022, March 3). Top Trends at 2022 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo. HPBA. https://members.hpba.org/Resources/PressRoom/ID/2143/TOP-TRENDS-AT-2022-HEARTH-PATIO-BARBECUE-EXPO. 
9. Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. (2025). How Outdoor Kitchens Are Redefining Grilling Season. HPBA. https://hpba.org/how-outdoor-kitchens-are-redefining-grilling-season/. 
10. Zach, Tricia, and Dianne M. Pogoda. (2019, June 5). Backyard Business. National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). https://kb.nkba.org/2019/06/backyard-business/.
11. Proficient Market Insights. (2025). Kamado Grill Market. Proficient Market Insights. https://www.proficientmarketinsights.com/market-reports/kamado-grill-market-2671.
12. Heimdall Insights. (2025). Smoker Grill Market. Heimdall Insights. https://www.heimdallinsights.com/reports/smoker-grill-market. 
13. Dataintelo. (2025). Outdoor Pizza Oven Market. Dataintelo. https://dataintelo.com/report/outdoor-pizza-ovens-market.