From a simple fire-pit lounge to a full built-in kitchen, here are the most popular outdoor cooking and fire setups for GTA backyards — with real 2026 cost tiers.
Fire and food are what keep people outside long after sunset — which is exactly why outdoor kitchens and fire features are among the most-used upgrades we build. Here are the most popular setups for GTA backyards, and what they realistically cost in 2026.
Fire features: the fastest way to extend the season
If you want the biggest impact for the least spend, start with fire.
- Gas or wood fire pit with a stone lounge: roughly $6,000–$18,000 depending on size, seating and surround.
- Masonry outdoor fireplace: roughly $15,000–$40,000+ — a true anchor feature that defines a lounge zone and throws real warmth into the shoulder seasons.
A fireplace or fire pit pairs naturally with a patio and lounge, so it's often designed alongside interlocking and patios or a deck.
Outdoor kitchens: from grill island to full build
Outdoor kitchens scale with ambition:
- Built-in grill island (grill, counter, storage): roughly $12,000–$30,000.
- Full outdoor kitchen (grill, side burner, fridge, bar, stone counters): roughly $30,000–$80,000+.
- Add a pizza oven or a covered structure and you're building a genuine second kitchen.
The cost drivers are the appliances you choose, the counter material (natural stone and porcelain sit above standard options), and whether gas, water and power need to be run to the space.
Design it as part of the whole yard
The best outdoor kitchens don't feel bolted on — they're planned with the patio, the pool environment, the seating and the lighting as one composition, so cooking, dining and lounging flow together. That's also how you avoid the classic mistake of a beautiful grill island marooned in the middle of a lawn. Browse finished examples in our project gallery. For appliance planning, manufacturer spec sheets and a resource like Landscape Ontario can help you compare options.
Gas vs. wood, and what to plan for
Gas is convenient, clean and instant — ideal for a grill island or a fire feature you'll use on a weeknight, though it means running a gas line. Wood delivers the ambience, crackle and cooking flavour many homeowners want, with a bit more work and clearance to plan for. Either way, plan the utilities early: gas, water and power are far cheaper to run before the patio goes down than after.
How to keep costs in check
- Start with the anchor. A fire feature or a compact grill island delivers most of the enjoyment for a fraction of a full kitchen — and you can expand later.
- Rough-in for the future. Even if you build in phases, run the gas, water and electrical stubs now so the next phase doesn't mean lifting your new patio.
- Choose appliances deliberately. The grill and counters are where budgets balloon; pick what you'll actually use.
Designed alongside a full backyard renovation, an outdoor kitchen becomes the heart of the yard rather than an afterthought.
Dreaming up your outdoor kitchen? Get a free estimate and we'll design a space you'll use every night of summer.
