The test of an outdoor kitchen is simple: how many times do you have to go back inside? If the answer is more than once, the storage was not planned properly.
Put the tools where the grill is
Long handled tools, thermometers and gloves want a drawer within arm's reach of the grill. Not in the cabinet at the far end of the run, and not inside the house. This is the single change that makes the biggest difference to how an outdoor kitchen feels to use.
Plan for the bulky things
Propane tanks, charcoal, cushions and covers all need somewhere to live. A dedicated full height cabinet keeps them out of the weather and off the patio, and it is far better than the alternative of everything migrating to the garage.
Give drinks their own zone
If people are congregating around the grill while you are trying to cook, the layout is wrong. A drinks area at the other end of the run, with a beverage fridge and somewhere to set a glass down, moves the crowd off your shoulder.
Think about the counter you are not using
Everyone plans the cooking surface and forgets the landing space. You need somewhere to put a tray down on the way to the grill and somewhere to put it on the way back. Two clear counters either side of the appliance is the minimum.
Keep serving pieces outside
Platters, boards and outdoor-safe dishes stored in the outdoor run instead of the kitchen cupboard is a small thing that removes several trips per meal.
All of this is easier to solve on a drawing than on a finished patio. We design outdoor cabinet packages the same way we design kitchens, so bring us the space and we will lay it out properly.
