Thinking of Adding a Sink to Your Outdoor Kitchen? Here’s What to Consider
An outdoor sink might seem like a small feature—but trust us, once you’ve got one, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Whether you’re rinsing veg straight from the garden or simply avoiding the constant trips back to your indoor kitchen, a sink adds serious convenience to your outdoor cooking space.
But before diving in (pun intended), there are a few important things to think about. Here’s our guide to what’s involved in installing a sink in your outdoor kitchen.
Water Supply – Cold or Hot?
Let’s start with the basics: your sink needs water. Cold water is usually easy to supply with a connection to your garden tap or main water line. If you want hot water as well, you’ll need to plan a bit more.
You can either:
- Extend your home’s hot water line outdoors, or
- Install a compact water heater (electric or gas-powered) specifically for your outdoor kitchen.
If you’re only using the sink for quick rinses, cold water might be just fine. But if you’re planning to wash up properly outside, hot water is definitely worth
Ariston Undersink Water Heater 2kW 15Ltr – £139.99
What About Drainage?
Now that you’ve got water coming in, you’ll need to think about where it’s going.
You’ve got a couple of options:
- Connect to your home’s drainage system – the most effective (and often most expensive) solution.
- Install a greywater system or soakaway – suitable for light use, but always check your local building regulations.
And remember, whatever drainage option you go for, it needs to be safe, hygienic, and compliant with local plumbing rules.
Water Soakaway Crate Supplied With Filtration Membrane – 800 x 500 x 500mm (0.216m3) | CORE WATER – £74.99
3. Use the Right Materials
Outdoor plumbing faces different challenges from indoor systems. Pipes and fittings need to be weather-resistant and durable. Popular choices include:
- PEX piping (great flexibility and resistance)
- Copper (long-lasting and temperature-resistant)
- Outdoor-rated PVC
Also consider stainless steel sinks—they’re hard-wearing, easy to clean, and look great in modern outdoor kitchens.
4. Planning for Winter
Live somewhere with cold winters? You’ll need to plan for frost. Frozen pipes can burst and cause costly damage, so be sure to:
- Drain down your plumbing before winter
- Use shut-off valves that can be controlled from indoors
- Insulate any exposed pipes
Alternatively, some homeowners opt to disconnect their sink during the colder months.
5. Layout & Location
Think about how the sink fits into your outdoor kitchen workflow. Ideally, it should be close to your prep space, BBQ, and fridge—minimising the steps between rinsing, prepping, and cooking.
Also, make sure your sink isn’t installed in a low spot where water can collect, and that it’s placed for easy access to plumbing and drainage.
6. Do You Need Planning Permission?
Depending on where you live, installing a plumbed-in sink outdoors might require approval. Before you start any work, it’s always worth checking with your local council or building authority—especially if you’re planning to connect to mains water and drainage.
7. Consider Your Budget
Costs can vary widely depending on the complexity of your setup. A simple cold-water sink connected to a hose might be very affordable. But if you’re running hot water, drainage, and permanent fixtures, you’ll need to factor in plumbing labour, materials, and possibly electrical work.
8. How Will You Use It?
Finally, be honest about what you need. If you’re mainly hosting casual BBQs and washing hands or quick dishes, a small, basic sink might be perfect. But if you’re aiming for a full outdoor chef’s setup with serious prep work, go for a deeper, more robust option.
Ready to Design Your Outdoor Kitchen?
At Urban Garden Space, we work with a range of modular and premium outdoor kitchen systems that can easily incorporate sinks, appliances, and storage. Whether you’re going all-in or just starting out, we’re here to help.
Pop into our showroom or drop us a message—we’d love to chat about your project!
Book your design appointment now
