Your Guide To Outdoor Kitchens: Fundamental Design Considerations

You might not be needing a complete kitchen in an outdoor space like your patio. But a simple installation of a preparation area, a grill along with other added features can become an effective and fantastic way to use this space. Outdoor kitchens are regarded as a type of luxury that provides homeowners with added flexibility, and more reasons to spend time outdoors.

The thought of designing a space outdoors that provides functionality, relaxation, beauty, and comfort may seem overwhelming, especially without the assistance of an outdoor-living space expert or landscape designer. But when you start understanding the right way to approach the design of an outdoor kitchen, it becomes easier to select the correct elements.

1. Designing The Ideal Outdoor Kitchen

It is impossible to design a perfect kitchen when you do not know what you should be building. A patio and outdoor kitchen should serve a function and purpose. During the initial stages of design, it becomes essential to ask the right question surrounding how you would like this space to serve your needs. Think about your living spaces outdoors collectively and critically think about how you answer these questions.

– Are You Interested In Entertaining Guests? If So How Many?

If you have plans to host gatherings outdoors, you need to think about how frequently you have plans for entertaining, and the number of guests you plan to entertain. You must have sufficient seating space, and space around the kitchen for guests to mingle safely.

– How Do You Plan To Use This Space?

Regardless of whether outdoors or indoors, guests usually gather around the kitchen. Would you like guests to gather around the grill with drinks, or would you prefer a basic bar or separated dining area?

– Do You Plan To Use The Kitchen During The Day Or At Night?

You may have ideas of enjoying reading the paper and enjoying a cup of tea of coffee in the morning sun. Or you may prefer enjoying family dinners. You can definitely enjoy both, but the perfect lighting, shade, and sunlight differ from the evening to the morning. Plan your patio around the times that you plan to use it the most.

– Do You Want To Prepare And Serve Your Meals Outdoors?

Some homeowners prefer the option of preparing meals inside their indoor kitchen before they go outdoors to cook. Others like to have water, preparation space, and refrigeration in an outdoor kitchen. Your personal preferences will be the deciding factor on what appliances are required and the way you plan to utilize this space. These considerations will also influence your food safety and utilities.

Once you have decided on the primary purpose of an outdoor kitchen and patio, you can now start to collect ideas and inspiration on the right way to design this space.

2. How To Choose The Right Cabinets

Planning your own outdoor kitchen will require an investment. You will obviously want this space to serve your needs for many years to come. Choosing appropriate materials for the cabinetry is important to make sure this outdoor space is a low-maintenance area. Popular cabinetry options include wood, composite lumber, polymer, and stainless steel.

3. Selecting The Right Appliances And Grill

When you start shopping around for a grill, there will be many essential elements to consider. The first will be the cooking style and the type of fuel you prefer to use. These options include a natural or propane gas, wood, charcoal, or even a hybrid-based grill. There are also options between a smoker or indirect and direct heat.

Other considerations include a drop-in or roll-in grill. To avoid having to at a later stage rebuild parts of an outdoor kitchen we suggest drop-in grills that are well built and able to withstand different weather conditions.

4. Establishing The Best Design And Layout

Outside or inside, every kitchen is organized into 4 basic functions. This includes entertaining, serving, cooking, and preparation. It is not always necessary that all 4 elements are included, and you are able to mix different zones which will depend on your available space. An important and unique consideration of an outdoor kitchen includes the space that you have behind the grill. Avoid planning your seating close to where the heat and smoke from the grill are released.

Regardless of what you might want and need, use the layout model that involves a standard kitchen-triangle when you build an outdoor kitchen. This reliable and common model will work out the working distance that is the most efficient between your refrigerator, sink, and stove.

– How do you plan to move around the patio?

– Will you need to go indoors?

– How far are you prepared to walk to your fridge to get cold food?

5. Building Methods And Partners

Building outdoor kitchens often include several special concerns. For example, is there a permit required before you will be allowed to start building? You may need to account for hiring electricians, plumbers, gas-service technicians, hard-scapers, and any other professional to complete the project.

In many cases, homeowners make the mistake of searching for the wrong contractor types. One of the common mistakes often made is to hire landscapers for building hardscaping for a patio. Hardscapers, unlike landscapers, are construction orientated. They understand compaction, equipment, the flow of certain materials, utilities, and the effects that the environment has on these projects.

Choosing the appropriate contractor is as equally important as all the other variables in these projects. It is important to understand what you will be paying for along with the services that might need to be outsourced. When you start interviewing the different contractors, it is important to ask them for:

– References from past clients

– Information about what type of reputation they have with suppliers

– Industry certifications, like the NCMA (National Concrete Masonry Association), or the ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute)

Outdoor kitchens are expensive, yet they can provide much joy and convenience. With the correct considerations through inspiration and brainstorming, you will be able to design your space so that it offers the ultimate experience and value. Are you prepared to get started on your dream outdoor kitchen?