Six Tips When Creating an Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor living spaces are all the rage. An outdoor entertaining space will improve your home’s value. An outdoor kitchen is a very popular part of an outdoor living space. Homeowners want to have a place to gather and cook outdoors. Here are six things to consider when you are designing an outdoor kitchen.
1. Protection from the elements
If you have an outdoor kitchen, it is best if you can use it year-round. You will want to cover your outdoor kitchen with coverings such as a pergola or awning. This will provide shade during sunny days and protect it from rain during rainy days. If you live in a windy climate you might want to also add screens or a barrier of tall bushes. For winter in colder areas, you should add a wall-mounted or umbrella heater. For hot sunny days, a ceiling fan can provide relief from the heat as well as keep bugs away.
2. The right materials
When it comes to the outdoors, durable materials are a must. You will want to choose materials that not only withstand normal wear and tear but also withstand Mother Nature. Dekton by Cosentino is a perfect durable material for countertops and flooring. It is made of minerals and raw materials that are hard to destroy and can withstand extreme temperatures and the sun’s UV rays.
3. Balanced lighting
After the sun sets, an outdoor kitchen will not work if there is no proper lighting. To start add task lighting to prep and cooking zones. This is a better solution than bright spotlights that are blinding. Other alternatives to light the space are adding landscape lighting, lighting that hangs on the awning or pergola, or candles on the table. There are solar lights that will automatically turn on when it gets dark.
4. Appropriate appliances
There are tons of options such as pizza ovens, smokers, and grills. An outdoor kitchen does not need all of these. You should choose which appliances suit your style of cooking. One thing that will always come in handy no matter what your cooking style is a mini refrigerator.
5. A functional layout
The size of your space will determine the shape of your outdoor kitchen. In order to have an L-shaped outdoor kitchen, you will need a larger patio space. For a smaller space, you will only be able to add a grill and maybe a few cabinets.
You will also want to think ahead when it comes to things like electricity, gas, and water. In a kitchen, there are typically four zones which are hot for cooking, dry for prep, wet or the sink, and cold for refrigeration and ice. If you have a small space, make sure to have your outdoor kitchen close to your indoor kitchen for ease of use.
6. Plenty of seating
It is hard to entertain if your guests have no place to kick their feet up and relax. You will need to accommodate them by having plenty of places to sit. If you have a small space, add just a table and chairs. If it is a larger space, then spice it up with plush armchairs, loungers, or a couch.
