Custom outdoor kitchens are in high demand because they add value to the home, are great for entertaining, and expands your property’s living space. Let’s explore the most important factors to consider when customizing your own unique outdoor dream kitchen.
Define the Space
Just as homes come in many shapes and sizes, the same is true for outdoor kitchens. A few common kitchen shapes are L-shaped, linear, and even U-Shaped kitchens. Another popular option is a two-piece kitchen, where there’s a section for cooking, storage, and accessories. The other section usually features a bar and is used for dining and entertaining. Which layout sounds most suitable for your outdoor area?
It’s important to consider placement when you are incorporating a custom kitchen into your space. Here are a few things you’ll need to think about when turning your outdoor dream into a reality:
1. Proximity
One crucial aspect of where you decide to place your kitchen is how far away it is from your home. Since some of the food preparation will need to be done inside, you’ll want to place your kitchen in close distance with the entrance of your backyard. This will allow for hassle-free transportation between the two locations.
2. Backyard Size
The size of your backyard should factor in to how large you build your outdoor kitchen. Take some time to strategize how much square footage you’re willing to give up for your custom kitchen design. The size you want your kitchen to be is completely up to you.
3. Zoning Laws
Be sure to check with local and national ordinances when determining the size and placement of your outdoor dining area. Zoning laws are in place to regulate how your property can be used. It’d be a shame to finalize a beautiful outdoor kitchen project that might not satisfy local codes and regulations.
Pro tip: Find a professional. There are many technical factors to consider when building an outdoor kitchen, such as heat clearances, electrical accessibility, and zoning laws, so finding the right person for the job will aid in creating a safe and fully optimized outdoor entertainment area.
Prioritize Your Accessories
When it comes to indoor cooking and dining, what’s most important to you? Perhaps it’s the shimmering, stainless-steel appliances or plentiful amount of pantry space. Some homeowners really value a kitchen island with a bar for entertaining guests and countertop space with added storage.
Since an outdoor kitchen brings all that you love about your indoor kitchen outdoors, we recommend reflecting on what’s most important to you as you customize this new area. Here’s a quick list of grills, storage units, and other accessories commonly used in outdoor kitchen designs:
- Drawers and access doors for storage and trash
- Charcoal, gas, and electric grills for cooking
- Sink with faucet for cleaning
- Refrigerator for beverages
Explore What’s Popular
Once you’ve built the framework for your outdoor kitchen, the next step is deciding the kind of look you want for the exterior finish. Homeowners commonly use the same materials on their home for the exterior of their outdoor kitchen for a clean, unifying look. Other popular materials used for the base are stucco, brick, or stone veneer, also known as stacked stone. Supercast™ concrete and granite are suitable options for the countertop section of outdoor kitchens.
Many backyards also incorporate some kind of shading, such as a gazebo, awning, pergola, or umbrella, to further define the outdoor kitchen area and fend off a bright and scorching sun. These sources of shade can be outfitted with outdoor lighting to make kitchens an all-day, one-stop-shop for relaxation and entertaining.