An outdoor kitchen expands your living space and allows you to cook, eat and entertain without having to leave the house. Make time for backyard BBQ’s and grilling with a well designed outdoor kitchen you will be equipped to enjoy cooking outside beyond the summer months. Introducing traditional kitchen ideas to your outdoor setting is a great way to add versatility, value and outdoor fun to your home.
1 Start with the foundation
Defining the floor layout and flooring material of your outdoor kitchen is integral to building the foundation of your outdoor kitchen. Keep different weather climates in mind as well as the overall weight of the appliances you are installing. Flooring such as stone or marble will be slick and slippery when wet and may corrode or stain to oil or food spills. If your outdoor space is on a deck consider re-staining or painting it to match the new renovations and ensure that the deck is in top condition.
2 Pick the Perfect Location
Deciding where to place your outdoor kitchen depends on several factors. First, you will want to make sure that smoke from the grill doesn’t make its way back into the home. So keep the typical wind pattern of your yard in mind and orient the grill appropriately. Second, if you frequently entertain, and don’t want running a marathon serving from outside to inside, consider placing your grill and outdoor kitchen relatively near the entrance to the inside kitchen.
3 Outdoor Appliances will affect your kitchen size.
The first question a professional outdoor kitchen designer will ask is what size appliances will you need and how many. A homeowner may want to utilize several cooking and refrigeration appliances and may have specific entertaining needs in mind. Consider how all of these appliances will fit within the design plan, how much room to allow for each, and how they will work with each other. Leave enough space on either side of the grill to accommodate platters and tools, and don’t place appliances too close together.
4 Designate a Surface area for Storage
Just like your indoor kitchen, you will need places to put items on and plenty of storage. The difference is they must all be waterproof and durable to temperature changes. Countertops and cabinets are designed to provide space and keep away clutter. Just like your indoor kitchen, you will need places to put items on and plenty of storage. The difference is they must all be waterproof and durable to temperature changes. Countertops and cabinets are designed to provide space and keep away clutter.
5 Choose Appliances that will last
Many outdoor kitchens include a grill, a sink, and a compact refrigerator. Some kitchens even include specialty appliances like smokers and warming drawers. Purchase appliances that last through both rain and sun. Stainless steel or ceramic appliances work great for all weather conditions, are very durable, and require less maintenance.