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.
an Unforgettable Entertainment Space
