Design Tips and Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for Your Perfect Outside Space
Even if you have a perfectly functional and well-appointed kitchen in the house, there’s something really exciting about having an outdoor kitchen to enjoy backyard barbecues and intimate dinners out in the fresh air. Going one step beyond just grilling out on the porch, an outdoor kitchen is an extension of your living space and a great way to enjoy nice weather with comfort and convenience. To help you create an outdoor living space you love, here are some outdoor kitchen design tips and outdoor kitchen ideas to make the most of the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Essential Outdoor Kitchen Components
You can make your outdoor kitchen ideas for design as simple or elaborate as you like, depending on how often you plan to use the kitchen and how many guests you plan to entertain. Here are some of the most common outdoor kitchen essentials that you may want to incorporate into your patio or deck space:
- • Grill
- • Meat smoker
- • Pizza oven
- • Ice maker
- • Refrigerator
- • Kegerator
Layouts for Outdoor Kitchen Plans
Just as with an indoor kitchen, the layout you choose for your outdoor kitchen will dictate how often you use it and how inviting it is to use. One of the most popular outdoor kitchen layouts is the L-shape because this style helps to create a divide between the cooking and gathering spaces. It’s also a smart idea to incorporate some space between your stove or grill and the outdoor refrigerator so that these appliances don’t have to work unnecessarily hard to output energy.
Building an Outdoor Kitchen with Proper Protection
But unlike an indoor kitchen, you’ll really need to plan ahead to protect your outdoor kitchen from the elements of nature. Choose durable materials for your outdoor kitchen, such as stainless steel. This material can be used for the countertops and appliances, it’s easy to clean, and it can withstand rain, wind, heat, and snow. For all your outdoor kitchen faucet and outdoor kitchen sink needs, stop by one of our Central Plumbing Specialties locations for recommendations and tips from our experienced staff. You’ll also want to invest in a high-quality and weather-resistant cover for your outdoor kitchen for when it’s not in use and throughout the winter.
Outdoor Lighting Considerations
Many homeowners neglect to pay enough attention to the lighting of their outdoor spaces, which is a mistake. Since many backyard parties extend well into the evening hours, you’ll want to add some task lighting above or around your outdoor kitchen for safety and practical purposes. You can install a pergola with lighting overhead or install a pole light in the yard for extra lighting. Festive strands of decorative lights, tiki torches, and candles are great additions to an outdoor kitchen space too.
Finishing Touches and Outdoor Kitchen Design Tips
Once you’ve stocked your outdoor kitchen with all of the essentials and planned for protection and lighting, you can have some fun with the finishing touches, appliances, and accessories. It’s nice to add some plants and flowers around your outdoor kitchen, as well as cushioned chairs and outdoor sofas for guests to sit and relax on. Outdoor furniture fabrics are designed to be weather-resistant and even resist fading from prolonged sunlight.
Also, consider picking up a canopy or mosquito netting to keep you and your guests comfortable while dining and socializing outside. If you incorporate shade trees, awnings, heat lamps, and a rain shelter into your outdoor space, you’ll dramatically extend your outdoor entertaining season and be able to enjoy it more often. Overall, your outdoor kitchen should complement the design of your home and landscaping, but have fun with the outdoor space you have and spend more time outside this year!