In the Hill Country, the pool is only half of the backyard. The other half is where you cook, eat and gather after a swim. Planning the outdoor kitchen together with the pool, instead of adding it years later, gives you a space that looks like one design, works better day to day and often costs less to build.
Why plan the kitchen with the pool
One design. Decking, stone, coping and countertops can be chosen to match, so the whole yard reads as a single finished space.
Utilities in one trip. Gas, water, drain and electrical lines can be run while the yard is already open for pool construction.
Better flow. We can place the kitchen where the cook can see the pool, the shade falls in the afternoon and smoke drifts away from the seating.
Where to put it
Most families want the kitchen close enough to watch the kids in the water, but not so close that splashing and wet feet reach the grill. Think about the afternoon sun, the breeze, the walk from your back door and where guests will sit. A covered pergola or pavilion over the kitchen makes it usable through a Texas summer.
What to include
A built-in grill, plus a side burner or flat-top if you cook for a crowd
Plenty of counter space for prep and serving
An outdoor-rated refrigerator, and a sink if the plumbing works for your layout
Bar seating that faces the pool
Task lighting for cooking after dark
A fireplace or fire pit nearby for cool Hill Country evenings
Materials that hold up in Texas
Outdoor kitchens here deal with hard sun, summer heat, the occasional freeze and splashing pool water. Natural stone, masonry, concrete countertops and stainless steel built for outdoor use all hold up well. We match finishes to your pool decking and coping so the kitchen looks like it was always part of the plan.
What does an outdoor kitchen cost?
Most Varsity outdoor living projects run $10,000 to $60,000, depending on size, appliances, materials and whether you add a pergola, fireplace or patio. Built together with a new pool, the whole backyard can be designed and priced at once. See our outdoor living services and custom pool cost guide for more, and ask about financing.
Designed and built by one team
Varsity Pools & Patios has designed and built pools and outdoor living spaces across the Hill Country since 2001, from private backyards to outdoor living at The Mercer in New Braunfels. Every project starts with a private 3D design consultation, so you can see the pool, kitchen and patio together before we break ground, and it is built by our own crew.
Ready to plan your backyard? Request a design consultation or call us at (830) 632-2287.