Spring is close, and it’s time to start dreaming of outdoor kitchen designs. Cooking outdoors is becoming increasingly popular, as it offers a chance to spend quality time with friends and family in the great outdoors.
Whether you are looking for a small outdoor grilling area or a full-scale outdoor kitchen with all the bells and whistles, there are many ways to create the perfect outdoor cooking space for your needs.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular design tips for creating an outdoor kitchen that will make all your summer dreams come true.
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Planning for Costs
Planning for the costs of building an outdoor kitchen can be a daunting task. Before getting started, it is important to determine a realistic budget while researching estimates from local contractors.
That way, you will know exactly how much money needs to be allocated for the project. Materials and appliances should then be chosen that are within the budget without sacrificing quality or safety.
Next, decide on the dimensions of the outdoor kitchen area and keep future needs in mind for optimal use. Finally, make sure the design plans meet all necessary building codes, as this is a key component that must not be overlooked before beginning any construction process.
Choosing Your Materials
You’ll want to ensure that the materials are designed for outdoor use and won’t break down from exposure to the elements, such as moisture from rain or humidity.
You should also consider the aesthetics of your project; think about color and texture, as well as how well-suited the materials are for countertops, cabinets, floors, and other areas of your space.
Building a beautiful outdoor kitchen isn’t just about functionality, but also about creating an alluring atmosphere that you and your guests will appreciate.
With some research—and maybe a few extra dollars spent—you’re sure to find wood, stone, metal, and other surface materials that fit both your renovation goals and taste.
Barbecuing and Outdoor Cooking
When designing your dream outdoor kitchen, it’s important to consider how you will be using it.
If you plan on doing a lot of barbecuing and grilling, then you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of countertop space around your grill or smoker so that you can prepare your food easily.
Grills and barbeques offer a variety of searing, smoking, and roasting options for today’s modern cookout.
Propane-fired grills are great for quickly cooking burgers and steaks on a hot summer day while charcoal grills require more maintenance but they allow you to slow-cook and impart an unbeatable smoky flavor on grilled favorites like chicken and ribs.
For even more control over the heat, invest in a modular outdoor kitchen fitted with high-powered commercial-grade components like smokers, rotisseries, built-in sinks, pizza ovens, ice makers, and refrigerators.
Utilizing this type of setup makes it easy to stage multiple courses when entertaining guests or hosting special events.
You may also want to add features such as side burners or built-in storage for utensils, seasonings, and condiments.
Also, consider adding an island with extra seating so that guests can hang out near the grill while dinner is being prepared.
Gardening
If you are an avid gardener who enjoys growing fresh herbs and vegetables for your meals, then you may want to consider incorporating some gardening elements into your outdoor kitchen design.
Growing an edible garden in your outdoor kitchen can be a fun and productive way to regain your connection with nature.
At the same time, you can enjoy all the freshness of homegrown vegetables, herbs and even fruits which you can use as ingredients for your favorite recipes.
To ensure success when growing an edible garden, consider having garden boxes or containers made of wood or plastic filled with quality soil, water regularly and grow multiple seedlings for each crop type, in case some don’t thrive.
You can also set up vertical garden walls along one side of the patio where herbs can be grown right next to where they will be used in recipes.
This not only adds visual interest but also allows easy access when cooking outside.
Once it’s ready to harvest, now’s the time to get creative! Transform your harvest into healthy dishes that will become family favorites.
Best of all, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you have a safe and healthy source of food from your own backyard.
Lighting and Seating
No outdoor kitchen would be complete without proper lighting and seating options!
Creating a cozy space for socializing outdoors can make all the difference, and adding soft lighting and comfortable seating should be top priority.
Consider strings of LED lights – they will create a warm and inviting space without taking up too much room in your space or eating up too much energy.
Plus they come in a rainbow of colors so you can get creative with your color schemes!
Make sure that any overhead lights are bright enough to illuminate all areas of the space but not too bright as to detract from its ambiance.
For seating, benches are a great choice. They provide additional storage for towels, plates and other essentials that you’ll need for an outdoor cooking adventure.
In general, opt for comfortable furniture that allows guests to relax while waiting for dinner or watching the chef cook.
Placing chairs around a fire pit or fountain is also a great way to create a cozy atmosphere in which people can linger after dinner has been served, it also encourages conversation and relaxation.
Your guests will appreciate the careful thought you put into each element of the outdoor kitchen, ensuring an enjoyable summer evening spent together.
Creating an outdoor kitchen is a great way to enjoy summer evenings with friends and family while taking advantage of all that nature has to offer!
With these helpful tips, you can easily design an inviting atmosphere where delicious meals will be shared year after year—all within one beautiful space!
Whether it’s barbecuing on the grill or growing fresh herbs in raised garden beds, there are countless ways to turn your backyard into an oasis fit for entertaining guests from dusk to dawn!
So get started today creating the perfect outdoor kitchen of your dreams!
