Outdoor Kitchens in Palm Beach, FL

Outdoor kitchens in Palm Beach face a condition few other towns share: salt air from two directions. The town sits on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, and at no point is the island wider than three-quarters of a mile. In some places it is only about 500 feet across. Every backyard on the island is close to salt water, so every outdoor kitchen we design here starts with corrosion in mind.

Materials that tolerate the spray

On the island we specify marine-grade stainless for doors, drawers, hinges and fasteners, and we choose appliances whose housings and burners are rated for coastal use. Countertop surfaces get chosen for UV stability as well as for how they handle salt residue, which builds up on any horizontal surface near the beach. We also plan for regular rinsing: a nearby hose bib or sink makes it easy to wash salt off stainless after a windy week, which extends its life considerably.

Working around the season

Palm Beach is a different place in winter. The year-round population counted in the 2020 census was 9,245, but from November through April it rises to roughly 25,000. Many owners are here only in season and want the kitchen finished before they arrive, not built while they are hosting. We schedule design, approvals and construction to land outside the months you are in residence where possible, and we keep a simple progress record for owners who are away during the build.

Architecture worth respecting

The town's built heritage is part of why people live here. Addison Mizner designed 67 structures in Palm Beach between 1919 and 1924, including the Everglades Club and Via Mizner on Worth Avenue, and other homes reflect Beaux-Arts, Georgian Revival and British Colonial styles. The Landmarks Preservation Commission, created by a 1979 ordinance, lists 328 properties, sites and vistas. On a landmarked or architecturally significant property, an outdoor kitchen should read as part of the house: stone and stucco that match, rooflines that echo the loggia and appliance runs set where they do not interrupt a historic view. We draw the design with that in mind and prepare materials for any town review that applies.

What we build on the island

• Loggia and courtyard kitchens set under existing covered space
• Poolside grill islands with bar seating and refrigeration
• Custom countertops in sun- and salt-tolerant surfaces
• Weather-rated cabinet runs for storage and serving
• Pergolas and covered kitchens sized to the house's proportions
• Upgrades for older outdoor kitchens where salt has pitted doors or seized hardware

Storms and the island

The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane made landfall in Palm Beach with sustained winds around 145 mph, and the 1991 Perfect Storm produced 20-foot waves and destroyed about 1,200 feet of seawall at Worth Avenue. The whole island is in Evacuation Zone B, and evacuations are often ordered when a hurricane is forecast. That history shapes our designs: islands anchored to the slab, no loose roof panels, and covers designed to Florida Building Code wind requirements. Before you leave the island for a storm, the kitchen should need only a few minutes of prep.

Next step

Call (561) 304-8278 to set up a visit. We walk the property, discuss how you entertain, and deliver a written quote with materials, appliances, permit work and a proposed schedule.

Call (561) 304-8278