Luxury Outdoor Kitchens with Urban Choice
Kathryn and Norman McNaught, Urban Choice Design Ltd
Specialising in enabling people to live outdoors all year round in Ireland, founders of Urban Choice Design Ltd, Kathryn and Norman McNaught reveal how the outdoor kitchen has fast become the heart of the garden
For years, the kitchen has been considered the heart of the home. As lifestyles evolve and the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living continue to blur, it’s clear that the future of kitchen design doesn’t stop at the back door.
Urban Choice is an outdoor living solutions provider founded over 10 years ago by Kathryn and Norman McNaught after identifying a gap in the market for the creation of high-end social spaces.
Kathryn says, ‘We found that garden centres were catering for the everyday buyer but no one was serving the designer outdoor living segment.’
Based in a 10,000 sq ft design studio in Belfast, the company services all 32 counties in Ireland working with homeowners, designers, architects, and landscape gardeners to create bespoke design-led outdoor projects.
What started as a gas fire pit business quickly grew to include luxury kitchens, designer outdoor furniture, pergolas, awnings, outdoor heating solutions, and new for 2026; outdoor televisions.
‘There is no one else on the island of Ireland providing the quality and standard of product for outdoor living that we are,’ says Norman.
Materials matter more outdoors
In 2026, people want the indoor level of comfort and functionality in their outdoors, not just a barbecue. For Urban Choice’s clients, that means top-tier, multi-appliance outdoor kitchens that typically include sinks, integrated fridge, dish washer, induction hobs, Quooker tap, and warming and cooling drawers.
However, creating a successful outdoor kitchen requires more than simply replicating an indoor space outside. Exposure to the elements demands carefully considered materials and construction, something which can’t be replicated with cheaper products.
Urban Choice specialises in facilitating outdoor living almost 365 days of the year in Irish weather. Through premier German kitchen brand, “Cubic Outdoor Living” whose materials are fully waterproof and engineered to withstand all weather conditions, the need for pergolas or awnings becomes less of a necessity. Of course, Urban Choice still provides pergolas for those clients who wish to provide additional shelter for the chef.
‘You can go very badly wrong with an outdoor kitchen if you choose the wrong materials,’ explains Norman. ‘Some outdoor kitchens will only have a lifespan of two seasons. For example, stainless steel kitchens are popular, but they can create condensation, trapping moisture inside drawers and eventually leading to mould which compromises the structure.
Cubic Outdoor’s base units are constructed from Perma wood, a form of Triyoca that does not absorb moisture under any circumstances. It will not swell, warp, or degrade, and crucially, it prevents insects and vermin from penetrating drawers or cupboards.’
Manufactured in Ireland, Perma wood provides a lifetime guarantee against moisture ingress and ensures drawers remain airtight, keeping crockery and cutlery in the same pristine condition in which it was left.
The kitchen appliances supplied by Urban Choice, made up of leading brands such as Miele and Bosch, are all manufactured to the same standard as the kitchen itself, with the ability to withstand temperatures as low as -20°C. Quooker taps have become a standard addition, while their barbecues are made from marine-grade 316 stainless steel and are designed to stand the test of time.
‘I don’t think people are aware of the extent of outdoor appliances available, including warming drawers, and induction hobs,’ says Norman. ‘It’s a fantastic bonus not having to transfer anything outdoors and it really encourages people to use their outdoor kitchen more frequently.’
Completely customisable
Bespoke design is another defining feature. Clients can tailor layouts and select colour schemes to suit their space, ensuring the kitchen integrates seamlessly with its surroundings. Whether set within a contemporary architectural setting or a more natural garden landscape, the result is a cohesive extension of the home.
In addition to Cubic Outdoor, Urban Choice provide the more compact Dukin Cookout. Built as a modular design, the kitchen is fully customisable and comes already assembled with a made-to-size cover available for added protection in winter months.
In recent years Kathryn and Norman have recognised a shift from stone and granite worktops with limited colours and finishes to high-end European ceramics offering far greater choice.
‘Ceramic worktops offer such a variety of thicknesses, textures, and styles, so it’s really interesting to see what our clients choose now they have access to almost endless variation,’ adds Norman.
Curating a social space
Outdoor entertainment centres are a new addition for 2026 reflecting a wider trend towards watching major sporting tournaments in a more social outdoor setting.
Norman says, ‘We find that when people are redesigning their gardens, an outdoor entertainment and cooking centre is now almost a necessity. People want a reason to live outdoors and there’s no greater reason than to cook and entertain.
Since Covid, Norman and Kathryn have also noticed increased demand for more sociable outdoor furniture. Supplying leading European brands such as Coco Wolf, Royal Botania and Gloster the company’s furniture offering has become one of its biggest draws.
A range of innovative outdoor heaters completes the company’s offering, designed to create comfort and a cosy ambience encouraging guests to linger longer.
‘Our goal was always to provide a more high-end product that you couldn’t walk into a garden centre and buy,’ explains Kathryn. ‘The demand for quality pieces is growing every year and people are happy to invest in beautiful, well-made furniture for longevity and comfort outdoors.’
Norman adds, ‘It adds value to the overall property when you put the right product in the garden. Outdoor kitchens are no longer just an extension of the home, they are now at the heart of living in your garden.’
As outdoor living continues to evolve, Urban Choice remains focused on delivering timeless solutions that enable Irish citizens to enjoy their gardens year-round.
