Outdoor kitchens can be used year-round in Central Texas to enjoy being outside with your family and friends. Westbank can help you design and build your kitchen and BBQ island.
4.5
Google rating, from 25 reviews
25+
Years building in Central Texas
Certified Pool & Spa Operator
National Plasterers Council certified
An outdoor kitchen is planned around how you cook. Most are laid out in four zones: a hot zone with the grill, smoker or pizza oven, a cold zone with a refrigerator, kegerator or ice maker, a wet zone with a sink, and a dry zone with prep counters and storage. Placement matters as much as appliances. A kitchen close to the back door makes carrying food easier, one close to the pool keeps the cook part of the party, and bar seating lets guests talk with whoever is cooking. Smoke direction, shade over the cook and lighting for evening meals should be settled before anything is built. Because outdoor kitchens face sun, rain and temperature swings, stone, masonry and durable countertops are used, along with appliances rated for outdoors. Westbank Pools designs and builds outdoor kitchens and BBQ islands with the pool and patio, so gas, water and electrical lines are run once, at the right point in the build.
Updated November 5, 2026
At a glance
A kitchen beside the pool is fully equipped for barbecues, parties and family meals, and it adds function and luxury to your outdoor living space.
All of our outdoor kitchens are fully customizable to fit your style and functional needs, and are designed to work with your pool, patio and seating areas.
Some people grill twice a week for the family; others host big weekend gatherings or smoke brisket for hours. The way you cook decides the grill, the counter space and the appliances you need.
Most kitchens are planned around a few work zones: hot (grill, smoker, pizza oven), cold (refrigerator, kegerator, ice), wet (sink) and dry (prep counter and storage).
An outdoor kitchen close to the indoor kitchen makes carrying food back and forth easier. A kitchen close to the pool keeps the cook part of the party. Bar seating lets guests talk with the person cooking.
Smoke and wind direction, shade over the cook and lighting for evening meals are all worth planning before anything is built.
Outdoor kitchens face sun, rain and temperature swings, so materials are chosen to handle the weather. Stone, masonry and durable countertops work well, and appliances are rated for outdoor use.
Gas, water and electrical lines are planned with the rest of the backyard so they are run once, at the right time in the build.
All of our outdoor kitchens are fully customizable to fit your style and functional needs.
| Option | Works best for | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Straight island | Smaller patios and grilling for the family. | Simple and compact, with the grill, prep space and storage in one line. |
| L-shaped | Corners of a covered patio and more counter space. | Separates the hot zone from the prep zone. |
| U-shaped or with bar | Hosting, with guests seated across from the cook. | Needs more room, but makes the kitchen the center of the party. |
| Under a pavilion | Year-round use and full shade. | Pairs with fans, lighting, a fireplace and a TV. |
These images are illustrations of design concepts, not photos of finished Westbank projects. See the photo gallery for completed work.
Google rating
from 25 reviews
“Audra and the Westbank team are A+. They built our new pool and spa which we are very happy with, and their attention to detail/reliability for follow-ups have been extremely positive. Would highly recommend.”
“Pool school?! Who ever thought you needed to know how to utilize pool equipment when you move into a home you’ve purchased? We found the builders and they agreed to show us all the ins and out of the custom pool they built. How to manage the robot cleaner down to turning on the lights all through an app on the phone. Westbank Pools taught us everything needed to enjoy our new pool. That’s serious customer service.”
“Westbank is the best. Very responsive, honest, and move quickly. I love working with them and highly recommend!”
“David, Travis and the Westbank team did an amazing job on our built up deck and pool. It’s been about a year now and we love it.. everything from the design to construction process was well communicated. We are so happy with the final Product as well as continued support after the fact.”
“Working with Travis @ Westbank Pools has been an incredibly smooth and professional experience. From the moment I reached out, their team was prompt, attentive, and focused on delivering a custom design that matched both my vision and the aesthetics of my property.”
“We have had our glorious pool from Westbank Pools for a year now… and we couldn’t be more pleased. They have been so easy to work with, and responsive, when the inevitable problem arises (thank you, Texas weather). Armando, Edward, and Audra… all very honorable professionals, whom I cannot recommend more highly.”
“Westbank Pools was great to work with through pool design all the way through the finished product. Great team and they did exactly what they said. Would highly recommend Westbank Pools for your pool/outdoor living space.”
Yes, all our outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and seating areas are fully customizable to fit your style and functional needs.
Absolutely! We specialize in seamless integration of outdoor living features with your pool to create a cohesive backyard retreat.
We use high-quality, weather-resistant materials such as natural stone, concrete, wood, and composite decking designed for Austin’s environment.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We’ll discuss your vision, budget, and timeline to create a custom plan that fits your needs.
Yes. Kitchens under a pavilion or covered patio can be used year-round, with fans and lighting for summer evenings.
Most do, depending on the appliances. Lines are planned with the rest of the backyard so they are run at the right point in the build.
Often, yes. A site visit will show how a kitchen can connect to your current patio, utilities and pool.
Built-in grills, kegerators, pizza ovens, sinks, drawers, prep counters, built-in refrigerators, and custom lighting and fans.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services. Our expert team will guide you from concept to completion, creating a personalized outdoor retreat.
Tell us a little about the project. It takes under a minute.
