BetterPatio's design your own BBQ islands collection lets you build exactly the outdoor kitchen configuration your space and cooking style require. Choose your base island shape — straight, BetterPatio Designer Series style L shaped, or pavilion — then specify the appliance package, finish, counter material, and accessories. BetterPatio Designer Series and Cal Flame builds are both included, with configurations ranging from compact 6-foot straight units to 15-foot grand pavilion setups. Every build is made to your order and shipped with free shipping.
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Free shipping on all BetterPatio orders. 0% APR financing on orders of $999 or more.
A design your own BBQ island configuration starts with your specific patio dimensions, your cooking priorities, and how you actually use your outdoor space. Rather than choosing from pre-configured layouts, you specify the appliance package, the counter layout, the finish, and the accessories — building a configuration that matches the way you cook and entertain rather than adapting to whatever a standard layout happens to include.
Most design-your-own BBQ island builds fall into one of three layout categories. Each layout has a different footprint and a different price point, and the right choice depends on how much of your patio you are willing to dedicate to the kitchen zone.
The appliance package is where a custom BBQ island build makes the most difference. Standard builds typically include a built-in grill and basic storage. Design-your-own configurations from BetterPatio allow you to add side burners, refrigeration, sinks, drawer systems, trash pullouts, and under-counter storage in whatever combination fits your cooking style. A primary cooking station typically includes the grill and primary prep surface. A secondary zone can handle cold storage, beverage service, or a second cooking appliance.
Design-your-own BBQ islands from Cal Flame and BetterPatio Designer Series are available in a range of exterior-rated finishes. Stucco and stone finishes help the island blend with traditional and Mediterranean home exteriors and can be matched to existing patio surfaces. Stainless steel finishes provide a clean, modern look that coordinates with premium grilling appliances and holds up well in coastal environments. Marine-grade aluminum frames offer rust-proof structural support with lighter visual weight.
Getting the size right is the most common challenge in a custom island build. Measure your space carefully before configuring — account for the full swing radius of appliance doors, the clearance needed for bar stools if seating is included, and enough walkway space for two people to pass without turning sideways. A useful planning step: tape the proposed island footprint on your patio with painter's tape, place the grill, refrigerator, and any bar seating in the marked zones, then walk through the space with two people. If the traffic flow feels tight, consider reducing the island depth or switching to a more compact configuration.
You start by selecting a base island configuration — straight, L shaped, or pavilion — in the size that fits your patio. From there, you specify the appliance package, finish, counter material, and accessories. BetterPatio's design team reviews your selections to confirm the configuration is sound before production begins. The result is a fully customized island built to your specifications rather than assembled from stock options.
Straight configurations are the most affordable since they require the least material and the simplest structural support. L shaped configurations add material costs for the second run and require more structural engineering at the corner joint. Pavilion configurations add a significant premium due to the overhead structure and the engineering required to support it.
Yes. Bar seating is one of the most popular additions to custom BBQ island builds. The return run of an L shaped island is naturally suited to bar seating. For straight configurations, bar seating typically runs along the front face of the island. Confirm the island depth is sufficient for comfortable seating before adding bar stools — deeper islands work better for seating than compact configurations.
We can build just about anything you need, and we offer free design services. Send us a quick note and let's connect on how we can design, build and deliver your dream outdoor kitchen.
