Outdoor kitchens are always a highly sought-after addition to homes. From homes with small backyards to those with expansive spaces, outdoor kitchens provide a festive, uplifting spot for social gatherings. Today’s outdoor kitchens have evolved into an extension of the inside of the home. They’ve become a focal point of the landscape and feature many conveniences found within indoor kitchens.

If you love cooking and outdoor entertaining and you’re considering a custom home design, there’s no reason you shouldn’t plan to include the functional, custom-built outdoor kitchen of your dreams. After all, that outdoor kitchen space isn’t just for convenience. It will improve the ambiance, creating an atmosphere of relaxation. It will enhance the outdoor experience of your home. It will even increase the property value of your home.

If you’re looking for outdoor kitchen ideas, there are several things to think about as you start planning. Start with your main feature: the grill. From there, you’re only limited by your imagination. Use the following tips to get inspired.

Plan the Perfect Location

When considering where to put your outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to strategically place it in close proximity to the main house. That proximity will not only make it easy to access the utilities you’ll need outside but if it’s close to the kitchen inside, you can make it fast and easy to move between your indoor and outdoor kitchens.

Next, think about the logistics of your outdoor kitchen. For example, since most people grill during the hot summer months, you’ll want to incorporate some shade into the grilling center to create a comfortable cooking environment. Shade bars, lattice, oversized umbrellas, or trees and greenery can help achieve this. Or, build an entire structure over the full outdoor kitchen. If your outdoor kitchen is something you’ll be using beyond the summer, consider installing heaters or fireplaces to keep warm in the cooler months.

Don’t forget to plan how seating would happen within your outdoor dining area, too, since smoke commonly blows downwind. Plan accordingly so smoke won’t interrupt your guests’ enjoyment. Look at proximity to windows, doors, and balconies for the same reason. While the smell of the grill is delightful when you’re hungry, you may not want to be left with those smells after dinner is over.

And finally, think about whether you’d like a little privacy. Consider screening views of your outdoor kitchen from your neighbors with trees, hedges, shrubbery, or even privacy fencing. That way you’ll feel more comfortable entertaining throughout the year.

Set the Mood

Lighting can play a massive role in your outdoor kitchen and dining experience—especially if you look at how it can transform your property at nighttime.

There are many ways to plan lighting if you’re looking for outdoor kitchen ideas. For example, task lights above the grill or cooktop could keep just enough lighting to cook and prep into the evening while halogen lights can stand up to the heat of a grill or cooktop. Ceiling fans with a lighting fixture can also help deter mosquitoes while brightening the entire area. Lighting under the upper cabinets, countertops, and inside lower cabinets can provide a modern lighting experience for your space.

Consider ways lighting can help set the mood and enhance your surroundings, too. For example, landscape lighting around the dining area, patio, and walkways will keep guests safe while creating a beautiful ambiance for your evening entertainment area.

Create a Space You’ll Love

What do you want in your dream outdoor kitchen? Think about everything from countertops to wet bars to wine chillers to wood fire ovens and roasting pits, then use these outdoor kitchen ideas to make final plans.

Outdoor kitchen areas should be seamless in their design; keep some separation from the dining and lounging areas yet stay close enough to interact with your guests.

Choose materials that will be smart choices for outdoor areas. Your materials should be durable, weatherproof, heat resistant, and easy to clean. For example, if you’re choosing furniture that will last a long time, teak, redwood, and cedar are best suited for the outdoors. Stone and concrete make great outdoor countertops, while stainless steel is the best choice for outdoor appliances. And all-weather, low-maintenance, durable cabinetry that can be easily cleaned will keep you happy from year to year.

Don’t forget to start with a budget. Because costs vary greatly, start with your list of must-haves, then choose whether you want a basic kitchen or are upgrading to the outdoor space of your dreams. All it takes is a little planning.

If you’re thinking about building a custom home, we know you’re already dreaming of those custom home upgrades you can’t wait to make. And why not? One of the advantages of building your dream home is coming up with a list of special items that will make your home uniquely yours.

The great news is many of the features that used to be upgrades in custom homes are now considered standard inclusions for many home builders. In fact, as we plan new designs, we typically start planning using the features our buyers routinely favored, meaning “standard” may already be what you’ve been considering all along. And while some details might vary by region, many options—like hardwood floors, open-concept kitchens, and luxurious bathrooms—are tried-and-true across the boundaries of regions and states.

If you’re wondering what custom home upgrades to consider, we have a few highlights for you to think about as you look beyond builders’ basic offerings.

Create a Bathroom Sanctuary

One of today’s hot custom home upgrades is all about giving yourself an incredible bathroom that’s more of a getaway than anything else. The long-popular trend of separate tubs and showers are just a given today. Most builders are incorporating those distinct spaces into even the most basic floor plans.

For something a little more personal to you and your needs, we see two great trends for you to consider. First of all, if you have time for an oversized tub with more at-home time, deep, freestanding soaking tubs may just give you the spa-like atmosphere you’re looking for. These tubs have the ability to transform a classic design into a statement piece that’s both modern and elegant.

If you don’t think you’ll make time for long soaks you don’t need to sacrifice with a lackluster shower stall. Cave-like grotto showers with seating and intricate stonework can give your bathroom a rustic feel that’s perfect for the aesthetic of a custom lake home.

Make the Kitchen the Heart of the Home

As homeowners continue to look for ways to entertain, you’ll likely be looking for spots where your guests can sit and chat. That’s why large kitchen islands that serve as the centerpiece of the kitchen and extend into living spaces remain at the top of the list of hot custom home upgrades. Once again, islands are largely a must-have with most modern builders and are typically designed into every home.

In fact, today’s modern kitchens are taking on new life through other premium upgrades. For example, stainless cooktops and ranges are perfect for any dream kitchen while under-counter lighting and lighted cabinet interiors create an elegant ambiance.

And while granite countertops were once enviable upgrades, this style, too, is becoming something more standard. However, consider adding granite that features an exotic pattern and contrasting it against the rest of the kitchen’s design to give it more dimension. White granite exists but is hard to find in large slabs, so a great alternative is marble. Or, quartz countertops like Silestone or Caesarstone are not only beautiful, but they are also highly durable, easy to maintain, and non-porous. It’s a difference you’ll notice through the years.

The Rest is in the Details

One of the custom home upgrades to consider as a splurge item may be in your lighting. Fabric shades and intricate glass designs can add a touch a class in normally subtle locations.

Material upgrades will continue to be an opportunity to create a home with distinction. On the outside of the home, upgrading from brick to stone can add an inviting richness to the exterior. And the moment you walk in the door, hardwoods can draw the eye into the great room areas. We’re seeing dark-stained planks in multiple widths growing in popularity for eye-catching design elements.

And finally, mudrooms and smartly planned storage areas just outside of the garage still provide well-designed “drop zones.” Whether it’s a place to stash keys or store mail or an organized spot for backpacks and computer bags, there are countless opportunities to create a spot that’s both parts form and function. While some of these spaces also double as laundry rooms, you may want to customize them with coat lockers and cubbies for simple but smart storage.