If you weren’t aware already, outdoor kitchens have quickly become one of the most sought-after additions. Perfect for entertaining guests, they allow you to be the ultimate host while serving some of the most delicious food.
When it comes to building one in your home, there are a few things you need to remember. Careful planning is required to create a beautiful and practical space.
Want to learn more? In this article, we are going to go over some tips to help you through the design process.
Let’s get started!
Assess your available space
The first step in designing an outdoor kitchen is to make sure you have the available space. Not everybody has an expansive backyard, and before you go turning it into a construction site, you have to know if it’s going to be practical.
Look around at the area and try and map out where you think things would go in your head. This doesn’t just include the kitchen itself but also seating and other entertaining areas.
Set a budget
Once you’re aware that the project can go ahead, you’ll need to set yourself a budget. Like most investments, outdoor kitchens can be pretty pricy, depending on the size of your renovation.
Make sure to factor in all of the different expenses, including the cost of materials, appliances, and labor. You don’t want to start and then realize halfway that you can’t afford to finish the job.
Pick the right materials
When you’re picking the materials for your kitchen, you might be tempted to select the most attractive choice. However, you have to remember that this isn’t like the interior of your home.
The outdoors makes your kitchen prone to harsh weather conditions, pests, and other wear and tear. You need to choose materials that are sturdy and durable. Otherwise, you will have a lot of future repairs.
Choose equipment that you will use
No outdoor kitchen is the same, but when it comes to building yours, you want to pick appliances that you will actually use. Otherwise, it’s a waste of money
Obviously, a grill to cook all of your favorite meat is a must, but there is other equipment that you might consider purchasing. You might want to try smoking brisket or cooking a homemade pizza in a woodfire oven.
There are a lot of choices, so make sure that you do your research on reputable outdoor cooking publications such as https://www.cookoutnews.
Opt for multiple storage options
Alongside all of your appliances and cooking equipment, you mustn’t forget that you’ll also need storage. You won’t want to have to keep disappearing inside to retrieve plates and tools every five minutes.
Take a look at these outdoor kitchen drawers to get started. Remember, the more storage you have, the better.
Ensure you have adequate lighting
Another critical aspect you need to take into consideration is lighting. Since you will most likely be entertaining at night, you need to make sure there is enough of it.
Look at where your power points are located and think about what other options are out there. You might put up some gorgeous solar-powered string lights or a chandelier to pull the entire place together.
Add personality with décor
After all of the main aspects that we discussed above, the last step is to make sure that you add your own personality. If you are creating this area for you and your family, you want it to be unique after all!
Put your own spin on things by choosing a fun color palette, or decorate with some of your favorite décor. From potted plants to statues and even a sound system. The choice is yours.
Remember they require maintenance
Finally, the last thing you need to keep in mind when designing a beautiful and practical outdoor kitchen is that it will require maintenance. So even if you carefully follow the advice, you’re still going to need to keep things tidy.
Make sure you purchase covers for your appliances, supplies to clean correctly and ensure that all of your cupboards remain locked when not in use. All of these little things can be considered the most important.
Final words
And that’s it! These were some tips to help you design your outdoor kitchen. It might seem like a lot to remember, but it will all be worth it in the end when you have an excellent entertaining space for all of your family and friends.
Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!
