We recently transformed our backyard with an outdoor kitchen from RTA Outdoor Living, and it’s easily been one of the most rewarding projects we’ve taken on. Not only does it look beautiful and function like a dream, but it also added value to our home in more ways than one making it such a good investment!
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Here’s everything I learned during the process—from using their free design tool to choosing between custom, prefab or ready to assemble —and why I truly believe an outdoor kitchen is a smart investment. Here’s a picture of the space before we installed out RTA kitchen!
I would like to thank RTA Outdoor Living for Sponsoring this project!
Outdoor Kitchen Layout: Start with the Feel, Not Just the Function
When designing our outdoor kitchen, I didn’t just want it to work well—I wanted it to feel like an extension of our home. I wanted a space where we could host family dinners, entertain friends, or even just sneak outside for a quiet morning.
We thought about how we naturally move when we cook—prep space, grill access, a fridge nearby, even a trash pull-out (a surprisingly underrated feature). RTA’s modular layout made it easy to design around how we live, not just what looked good on paper.
Pro tip? Map out the sun’s path in your yard and consider where your guests will sit. It made a huge difference in how we positioned our kitchen and pergola.
Using the Free Design Tool: A Game-Changer
I cannot emphasize this enough: use RTA’s free design tool. It’s like having a designer in your back pocket—without the price tag. You can customize everything: the layout, finish, appliances, and more. It helped me visualize exactly how the kitchen would look in our space and gave me the confidence to move forward with the project.
Even better, you can submit your design to RTA’s team and have a real person review it and give feedback. It felt collaborative without being overwhelming. And as a mom-to-be with limited bandwidth, that blend of ease and support was everything.
What We Picked:
RTA Outdoor Living Kitchen
Shop OUR RTA appliances
Custom, Prefab, or Ready to Assemble?
We looked into all the options: hiring a contractor to build a custom kitchen, buying a prefab unit, and everything in between. But ready-to-assemble (RTA) was the sweet spot.
You get the design flexibility and high-end finishes of a custom build—but with a way shorter install timeline. Ours came together in just one day! That meant less mess, fewer contractors, and we were out there cooking the same weekend.
Statistically, outdoor kitchens can boost home value by up to 200% ROI depending on your market and materials. And in Florida—where outdoor living is practically year-round—it made even more sense.
Outdoor Kitchen ROI: More Than Just Dollars
Yes, it adds property value. But honestly? The return we’ve felt is emotional. We use this space constantly. Whether we’re grilling dinner on a Tuesday or hosting friends on the weekend, our outdoor kitchen has turned into the heart of our backyard.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 71% of homeowners said they have a greater desire to be at home after adding an outdoor feature, and I couldn’t agree more.
It’s made our house feel bigger, our life feel slower (in the best way), and our memories that much sweeter.
So, is an outdoor kitchen a good investment? For us, it’s been one of the best we’ve made. If you’re on the fence, I’d start with RTA’s free design tool and go from there. You might just find your dream kitchen is only a weekend away.