The most livable backyards I’ve designed over 45 years have one thing in common: you don’t have to go inside. The pool is there, the kitchen is there, the shade is there, and everyone stays outside until it’s genuinely dark. That’s what a well-designed pool and outdoor kitchen combination creates.
It’s also the highest-ROI outdoor project you can do in the DFW market right now. A quality pool alone adds value. A quality outdoor kitchen alone adds value. Together, designed as a cohesive space rather than two separate projects bolted next to each other, they create an outdoor living area that buyers respond to at a completely different level.
The key thing: The pool and kitchen need to be designed together from day one. An outdoor kitchen that was dropped in next to an existing pool looks like what it is. When both are planned simultaneously, they feel like one unified space.
What Makes a Great Pool-Kitchen Layout
The relationship between the pool and the kitchen is everything. Too far apart and people stand in two separate groups – swimmers at the pool, adults at the kitchen. Too close and the kitchen gets splashed constantly and the cooking area stays wet.
The sweet spot is typically 10–15 feet from the pool’s edge to the outdoor kitchen counter, with a transition zone – usually the pool deck or a paver section – between them. This keeps the cook connected to the pool conversation without getting water all over the prep area.
The orientation matters as much as the distance. A kitchen that faces the pool allows the cook to watch children swimming and be part of the gathering rather than turned away from it. We design our kitchen orientations with that in mind every time.
The Swim-Up Bar Variation
For homeowners who want the tightest possible integration, a swim-up bar extends from the outdoor kitchen counter directly to the pool edge, with submerged bar stools on the pool side. Swimmers approach the bar from the water; guests approach from the deck.
It sounds like a luxury resort feature – and it is – but it works well in residential settings when the pool is large enough to accommodate it. We cover that design in more detail in our post on swim-up bars and tanning ledges for DFW backyards.
What to Include in a DFW Outdoor Kitchen
The climate here allows outdoor kitchen use for probably ten months of the year. That’s dramatically different from a northern market where an outdoor kitchen might see 5–6 months of actual use. The investment calculus is different here, and so are the material requirements.
The Essentials (High Use, High Value)
- Built-in grill: The centerpiece of any outdoor kitchen. Invest in a quality built-in unit — a 36″ or 42″ built-in gas grill from a brand like DCS, Lynx, or Blaze is a better long-term investment than a freestanding unit on the counter
- Refrigerator: An outdoor-rated refrigerator keeps drinks accessible without anyone going inside. This is non-negotiable if you entertain
- Side burner: More useful than people think for sauces, corn, boiling
- Generous counter space: Minimum 8 feet of counter for prep and serving. 12+ feet if you entertain groups
- Sink with hot and cold water: Adds real usability; requires a plumbing run but it’s worth it
The Upgrades (Great If Budget Allows)
- Built-in smoker or pizza oven
- Ice maker
- Outdoor-rated television
- Under-counter storage with weatherproof drawers
- Bar seating integrated into the counter design
Materials That Actually Survive in Texas
This deserves specific attention because the DFW climate is genuinely hard on outdoor materials. Summers run 100°F+ for weeks. Winter brings freeze-thaw cycles. UV exposure is relentless. Proximity to chlorinated pool water adds another layer of wear.
- Counter surfaces: Granite, quartzite, and porcelain tile all hold up well in Texas heat and UV. Concrete counters are popular but need sealing. Avoid materials that absorb heat at the cooking end
- Cabinet/structure: Stucco-finish concrete block or steel-stud frame with cement board are the most common approaches – both stand up to the climate. Avoid wood framing as the primary structure near a pool
- Flooring: The deck material should continue into the kitchen area seamlessly. Travertine and natural stone pavers are the most common premium choice in DFW
- Shade structure: No DFW outdoor kitchen is complete without one. Pergola with fabric, solid-roof patio cover, or connected to the home’s roofline – all work. Cooking in direct Texas sun in July is miserable
Worth knowing: Decking material is a topic worth its own discussion. Our post on best pool decking materials for Texas weather covers what holds up and what to avoid in the DFW climate.
Cost Ranges for DFW Outdoor Kitchen Builds
| Kitchen Scope | Typical Cost (DFW, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Basic (grill, counter, no sink) | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| Mid-range (grill, fridge, sink, storage) | $22,000 – $40,000 |
| Full build (all appliances, bar, shade) | $40,000 – $75,000+ |
| Pool + full outdoor kitchen package | $120,000 – $275,000+ (combined) |
If you’re financing the entire project — pool and outdoor kitchen together — that structure is worth understanding before you finalize the design scope. Our pool financing guide for DFW homeowners covers how people typically fund projects at this scale.
The Design Process: Why It Needs to Be One Project
I’ve been called in to add an outdoor kitchen next to an existing pool more times than I can count. It can be done, but it always shows — the materials don’t quite match, the layout is a compromise of what was possible rather than what was ideal, and the kitchen sits beside the pool rather than being part of the same space.
When we design a pool and outdoor kitchen together, we control the flow between them, the material palette, the sight lines, the shade, the electrical, the gas, and the plumbing from the beginning. The result feels intentional because it is.
Browse our outdoor living project gallery and completed project portfolio to see how we approach these combined builds.
Let’s Design the Backyard You Actually Want
Call us at (972) 335-2777 or schedule a design consultation online. Pool and outdoor kitchen projects are our favorite kind — bring a wishlist and we’ll help you figure out what’s achievable within your budget.
