Whether you are using it to prep salads or scrub a fish, a sink in an outdoor kitchen needs to be dependable. This means you must have a basin that is large enough to work with and is durable enough to withstand the great outdoors and daily usage.
Storage is another important element as well. Install a small refrigerator to keep your perishable ingredients at safe temperatures. And be sure to include plenty of built-in lower seating away from the cooking and the bar so you can accommodate your guests and let them share in all your hard work.
Layout
Before the bricks are even laid, designing a beautiful as well as functional outdoor kitchen requires an array of practical questions be asked and answered, from who will use it to designing a layout that makes the space work best.
The first step in creating an outdoor kitchen space is to measure your outdoor space and determine the best location. If possible, locate it close to your indoor kitchen and your home’s dining or living areas to help with the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Materials are exposed to extremes of weather and temperatures in an outdoor kitchen. Countertops, bars and cabinets should be made of heat and weather-resistant material, such as stone or concrete for best results. Creating a stylish surface that not only catches the eyes but also the heart brings pleasure to the senses as well.
Appliances
An outdoor kitchen provides the possibility of several lineups. You can have a grill and a smoker and a fridge and a sink, all the major equipment fitting in to organise an area that works well for making and cooking a meal.
Other common appliances that people want to have in their home are blenders and stand mixers.These are the most important tool for any cooking expert!
Be sure the appliances you choose are outdoor-rated and built to withstand outdoor elements. Fortunately for your kitchen design, granite worktops are built to last and are available in innumerable colour and pattern combinations so you can find a design to complement your outdoor decor. If granite doesn’t appeal to you, sandstone or slate may also provide natural aesthetics and the durability needed for outdoor use. When hiring a contractor to run lines for utilities (such as gas, electric and water) to your kitchen area and install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)-equipped electrical outlets, ask that they also install GFCIs in your kitchen area.
Lighting
Your outdoor kitchen is the perfect place to stop for a bite, either cooking dripping burgers on a summer evening or marshmallows over a campfire on a winter’s night. The ambient lighting you choose – overhead lighting fixtures or strings of lights – helps make it a comfortable place for dining and entertaining.
Opt for materials and finishes that reflect the style of your home for a tried-and-true aesthetic. Here, horizontal ipe boards run in horizontal bands across this kitchen base to add depth and visual interest while still working in harmony with its woodsy surroundings. A coarse, matte finish rounds out the effect and helps the look feel lived-in.
Think about traffic flow when choosing an outdoor kitchen so that your guests do not have to run back and forth to the house multiple times. Pick a spot that’s near existing gas and power lines to keep your hook-up costs down. A fan and GFCI outlet are must-haves for safety, while shade from the sun should help you keep the temperature down on hot afternoons.
Seating
It is also nice to have a seating area if you are cooking outside. You will have somewhere to sit down and talk while everyone is working together to make a tasty meal.
It is also a lounge to serve drinks, appetisers and food preparation. As such, it can be as simple or complex as you want: make the seating consistent with the design aesthetic of your home, and craft it with weather-proof materials that will last.
You’ll need to have plumbing, gas and electrical run into the space for some appliances, which means a professional’s touch will be necessary for making it functional and putting it into a space with long-lasting weather-resistant materials. Landscape companies can evaluate your space, suggest which kitchen products will suit your needs and your site, as well as help design a layout that fits your yard and your budget.
