Options for an Affordable Outdoor Kitchen

Giant fireplaces flanked by leather chairs, 35-foot counters, mosquito misters and outdoor air-cooling systems that rival the chilliest movie theater; Mike Logan 's clients have included "everything under the sun" in their upscale outdoor kitchen designs. But the builder says there are still plenty of possibilities for people with more modest budgets.

"You can get as basic as you want as long as you follow a few rules as you try to save money," says Mike, owner of Texas Pit Crafters in Tomball, Texas. "First, never build an outdoor island from combustible materials, including plywood countertops covered with tile. Second, when you're laying out your design, factor in some usable counter space no matter how small your outdoor space will be. You can't have grills and sinks butting up against each other with nowhere for you to work."

Third, says Mike, if your outdoor kitchen will be any significant distance from the indoor kitchen, allow at least a small budget for adequate storage space for frequently used items like grill brushes, forks, spices and paper towels. "You don't want to spend the whole time running back and forth," he says.

After you attend to those basics, there are plenty of areas to tackle for savings.