Outdoor Kitchen & Living Spaces Iowa
Extend your home's living space outdoors with custom outdoor kitchens designed for Iowa entertaining and built to handle our seasonal weather.
Durable Outdoor Kitchens in Central Iowa
There is something about food outdoors. It just feels different: more relaxed, more connected, more fun. Whether it is grilling burgers on a Saturday, hosting friends for late-night pizza by the fire, or sipping coffee in the fresh air, your backyard can be more than grass and a patio chair. It can be a true living space.
We design and build outdoor kitchens across Central Iowa that do not just sit there, they work. From a compact grilling station to a full chef's setup with storage, sinks, and custom finishes, we make it easy to cook, entertain, and live outside.
And it is not just about the kitchen. It is about creating a backyard living space that feels like an extension of your home, built to handle every season and every gathering. An outdoor kitchen is one of the biggest builds in our hardscaping services, and it starts on a patio done right.
How We Build Your Outdoor Kitchen
Simple, clear, and low-stress from the first walk to the final detail.
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On-Site Consultation
We inspect your property and get to know your style, your budget, and your must-haves.
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2D Design Plan
You get an upfront visual layout, a real look at the kitchen space before the project starts.
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Material Selection
Countertops, stone, pavers, and fixtures, balancing beauty, function, and durability.
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Construction and Installation
Our team handles every detail so each element stands up to Iowa weather.
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Final Touches
Lighting, seating, and finishing details, everything that makes it feel like a true extension of your home.
What Your Outdoor Kitchen Can Include
Every outdoor kitchen is custom. We start with how you cook and entertain, then build the layout and features around it. Common pieces homeowners fold in:
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Modular or built-in plans
Full custom masonry or modular designs with room to expand later.
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Upscale countertops
Granite, concrete, or porcelain that resist stains, grease, and temperature swings.
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Appliance integration
Stainless grills, under-counter fridges, side burners, ice drawers, and smokers.
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Smart lighting
LED and motion-sensing options for evening cooking and ambiance.
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Seating and dining areas
Bar seating or a nearby dining setup to make hosting easy.
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Weather protection
Optional pergolas, awnings, or partial roofing for all-season comfort.
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Utility hookups
Water, gas, and electric coordinated with the trades and installed to code.
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Personalized finishes
Stone veneer, brick, or stucco to match your home's exterior.
Materials Suited to Iowa Weather
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Base construction
Compacted gravel and a concrete footing to resist freeze-thaw shifting.
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Surface materials
Granite or sealed concrete for durability against heat, frost, and stains.
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Cabinetry
Powder-coated aluminum or stainless steel, corrosion-resistant and low maintenance.
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Flooring
Slip-resistant pavers or textured tile suited to an outdoor kitchen.
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Protective sealants
UV- and moisture-resistant coatings that help hold color and structure.
Built for the Iowa Season, Footing First
An outdoor kitchen lives outside all year, so we start under the surface. The masonry and appliance bases sit on a compacted gravel base and a concrete footing, so freeze-thaw movement does not crack a counter or throw a grill run out of level. Surfaces and finishes are chosen to resist frost, heat, and stains rather than promise the impossible.
That groundwork is what lets the space carry real weight, from a stone patio with a grill and fireplace to a full multi-zone layout. Cooking outside also keeps the heat out of the house on Iowa summer days, and a well-built kitchen is one of the features metro buyers look for.
Beyond the Kitchen: Complete Backyard Living
An outdoor kitchen is often just the start. Pair it with a paver patio, a fire pit, or a covered structure, and you have a space that works all year. We have helped homeowners build backyard living spaces that range from simple and intimate to full outdoor retreats, a stone patio with a kitchen and fireplace, or a multi-zone layout where kids play in one area while adults gather in another. We help you figure out what fits your property.
Why Choose Larkin for Outdoor Kitchens
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Local Experience
We have built outdoor spaces that handle Iowa's unpredictable climate, season after season.
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End-to-End Design and Build
One team manages the design, the trade coordination, and the final detailing.
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Clear Pricing
Your written estimate spells out materials, labor, and design up front.
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Warranty on the Hardscape
The hardscape we build, the patio base, seat walls, and masonry, carries our 10-year hardscape warranty.
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Aesthetics That Match the Build
Architecture and function together, so the kitchen looks considered, not bolted on.
Outdoor Living Across Central Iowa
We build outdoor living spaces throughout the Des Moines metro, from outdoor living projects in Ankeny and Des Moines outdoor living to Clive backyards and custom patios and kitchens near Boone. See finished patios and living spaces in our project gallery, or request a free estimate to start planning yours.
What it is like to build with Larkin
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“Andrew and Juan did a great job on my landscape project. Things look great and the price was very competitive. I really like being able to work with an owner who is on site during the process. I think this results in a better job overall because his name is on the line. Thank you Andrew!”
Rick HudakVerified Google review -
“Andrew was very responsive and timely. The bid was fair. He and his co worker worked hard and efficiently. They had all the material organized and it seemed like ordered in advance. The outcome was beautiful!!! I will recommend him to my friends.”
Teri DavisVerified Google review
5.0★ across 27 Google reviews · Read all reviews on Google
Backyard ideas from the Larkin blog
Outdoor kitchen questions we hear
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
Can an outdoor kitchen last through Iowa winters?
Can I add to my kitchen later?
Can you retrofit a kitchen into my existing patio?
What size should an outdoor kitchen be?
Do you handle the plumbing and electric?
Does an outdoor kitchen need winter servicing?
How long does the design and build take?
Start Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen
Tell us how you like to entertain. Every project starts with a free estimate, and qualifying projects include a free, scaled 2D design of your kitchen and living space.