Creating the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen
As the warmer weather starts, I always start to think about the various tasks needed to get the backyard ready for summer. The kids have already started to play outdoors, and the Spring sunshine will no doubt be inviting you to spend more time outside too!
From tidying up the plants, mulching, and making sure you have the perfect outdoor furniture to start enjoying the weather, you may be in the market to create an outdoor kitchen this year!
Outdoor Kitchens are perfect for homes in the warmer states, where time spent outdoors is pretty much the same as time spent indoors. You can even create smaller setups for use in other states as well! It really just depends on how much outdoor space you have, and what you need.
So you’re considering an outdoor kitchen for your backyard or decking area, but how do you create one? In this article, I’m going to take you through exactly how to create the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen! And share my top tips and ideas on what you should consider for a functional outdoor kitchen.
Let’s take a look!
Planning the Layout
First up is planning the layout.
Your outdoor kitchen is only as good as the planning that goes into it, so it’s really important to consider what you need to include within your outdoor kitchen. This will be different for everyone, but here are some key questions and items to consider:
- Would you like to have an outdoor refrigerator and/or freezer?
- Do you need to plan for a pizza oven location? Or will you just have an outdoor grill?
- How much storage do you need to include?
- Would you like an outdoor sink and faucet?
Once you know what you’d like to have included in your outdoor kitchen, you can choose the perfect location in your backyard (ideally within close proximity to the house for gas, electrical, and water needs) and plan the layout!
Planning the layout for your outdoor kitchen is very similar to planning for a kitchen remodel. Outdoor kitchens don’t have the same layout guidelines as indoor ones, but you should plan with common sense in mind relating to how you envision using the space. It’s advised to keep anything that requires services (plumbing, electrics, etc) nearest to the house so these can be easily accessed and installed.
When we have designed outdoor kitchens for our clients in the past, keeping the grill or barbeque positioned towards the backyard helps to extract cooking smells into the atmosphere. Opposite this and nearest to the house, an outdoor sink is helpful for food preparation. Other outdoor appliances can be planned around this, and any extra countertop space.
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Materials and Finishes
Choosing the right materials and finishes for your outdoor kitchen is one of the most important aspects. Everything you choose for your outdoor kitchen must be suitable for outdoor use.
For example, when choosing outdoor cabinets, ensure they are suitable for use outdoors and are weather resistant. Similarly for any appliances, these must be weather resistant and suitable for using outdoors.
The most common outdoor kitchen countertops are granite, while other natural stone materials may work well. Always make sure your countertop choice is suitable for using outdoors and is hard wearing.
Extras to Consider
While we have discussed the main elements for creating the perfect outdoor kitchen, there are some extra elements that can elevate the design!
Firstly, it may be beneficial to have a pergola or shelter structure for protecting the outdoor kitchen. Not only that, having a structure above can help to define the area for the outdoor kitchen too.
Have you ever dreamed of having a pizza oven? Well now is the best time to add one into your home! Consider installing an outdoor pizza oven as well as a grill or barbeque.
And finally, why not grow a herb garden closeby? This will enhance your cooking outdoors, and make food preparation nice and easy!
Can we help?
Are you dreaming of creating the perfect outdoor kitchen but have no idea where to start? We hope this article has outlined some of the initial design elements to consider, but we appreciate this can be difficult to do alone! Here at Innovatus Design, we have worked with lots of clients to create their perfect outdoor kitchen. From consultations to give direction, or a full design service to take it off their shoulders – we can accommodate wherever you’re at right now. So contact us today!