With so many choices available on the market today, choosing the right features for an outdoor kitchen can be overwhelming. Asking the right questions is crucial to bringing your outdoor kitchen to life. Indoor kitchen items are not always appropriate for outdoor applications, so we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask as you navigate your choices for outdoor kitchen features.
Much like indoor kitchens, outdoor kitchens require adequate space for optimal functionality. Several questions you should ask include:
1) How many people will cook in this outdoor kitchen?
2) How often will I be cooking outdoors?
3) How much of the meal preparation work will I be doing outside?
4) What would I like to cook outside that I can’t currently cook outside?
5) What would I like to store outside?
6) Would I like to wash my hands or wash the dishes outside?
Once you’ve asked and answered these questions, you can move on to additional details such as deciding what style, look, and materials make sense to use in terms of your home’s architecture and existing landscaping. What landscaping and hardscaping features would you like to add? A common hardscaping feature for outdoor living spaces is a firepit or fireplace. A fireplace or firepit is a complementary feature to your outdoor kitchen. The fireplace can be used for cooking, ambient lighting, warmth, and a general feeling of comfort.
An outdoor kitchen requires a versatile layout. The space will need to be well organized to accomodate cooking, entertaining, dining, and overall relaxation. Space planning is key to any outdoor kitchen, and along with space planning, you will need the right flooring and the right furniture. Choices for outdoor living furniture are broad. Both store bought and custom-made outdoor furniture bring unique solutions for outdoor seating. Good questions to ask are:
1) How many people do I expect to entertain at a time?
2) Will I want both dining furniture as well as casual furniture, such as couches or lounges?
3) How many people do I need to seat for dining?
Kitchen appliances specifically manufactured for outdoor kitchens applications that are typically utilized in an outdoor kitchen are stoves, grills, and mini-refrigerators. These appliances are generally available in a variety of finishes and sizes. Grills also come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, and often have additional features available.
Building an attractive space includes flooring or decking and allows for plenty of opportunities for creativity, customization, and color. As with any flooring, durability, safety, and maintenence should be considered. Design is also important, as your flooring should tie the entire look of your outdoor kitchen together. A great design will also take into account the flow of traffic for cooking, dining, and general entertaining. A professional organization like Cedars Woodworking can ensure that your outdoor kitchen becomes your dream come true for fun and functionality.
