The planning for outdoor kitchens can be extensive. It should be. After all, you don’t want to spend a ton of money only to find out that you don’t like your kitchen design. In this article, we discuss a few tips to ensure your satisfaction after finishing your outdoor kitchen.
Grilling with friends while listening to music, throwing a pizza in the oven while watching the game, maybe just chilling with friends and family around the outdoor kitchen island- the choice is yours. Don’t mess it up.
Research Outdoor Kitchen Design Types
Deciding on your outdoor kitchen’s design depends on your budget, lifestyle, and space. It also depends on your preferences for various aesthetics. Outdoor kitchens can either be simple or elaborate- anything from a grill and a store-bought outdoor bar to a patio with a full entertainment system and an island bar.
Deciding on your outdoor kitchen becomes a lot easier when you have researched various outdoor kitchen styles. You need to decide whether you want a fully functional kitchen or something more simple. After deciding the foundation, you can move on to amenities and decide if your taste has room for extras.
Assess Your Space
Your kitchen design depends on your space. If you have a ton of space, your challenge will become making sure you don’t have to walk too far away from the house to reach the kitchen. However, most plots are smaller, meaning they will have fewer cooking apparatus options and less space to decide design elements.
Analyzing your outdoor kitchen space prior to purchasing materials will help you devise a strategy for the rest of the planning stage. If you thoroughly understand your vision, you will know where to look for materials and you won’t get overwhelmed by all the decisions.
Decide on Portable Vs. Permanent Outdoor Kitchen Design
You should still be able to enjoy an outdoor kitchen if you’re a renter or you have a temporary living situation. In these situations, all you need to do is invest in portable kitchen appliances.
You might also love the DIY approach to outdoor kitchens. In these situations, you simply need to determine the safest, most convenient location and use materials that coordinate with your home’s existing design elements.
Set a Budget
Having a budget and sticking to it is the essential component of planning your outdoor kitchen design. It should guide every decision you make, from furniture to paint and appliances. Without it, you’re a slave to your fancies, one minute thinking you need that fridge for alcoholic beverages, one minute deciding a full entertainment system would be nice.
Planning a thorough budget prevents you from overspending and underspending. It’s the foundation for your planning and you should not continue with your outdoor kitchen design until you have it settled and you’re comfortable with it.
When planning a budget, you also have to consider additional costs such as designer fees, obtaining permits, tools, and professional services for add-ons such as electrical components and plumbing.
Understand Your Preferred Cooking Styles
Deciding what you want to cook in your outdoor kitchen will determine your appliance choices. If you’re a pizza fanatic, put in an oven. If you want to cook breakfast outside on Sunday mornings with the fam make sure you install electricity for the toaster. If you’re an avid griller, you might not need electricity.
Whatever your preference, consider it before trying to finish your outdoor kitchen design. If you get to the end of your planning and realize you can’t make your favorite foods, what’s the point of the kitchen?
Location, Location, Location
If you live in a Wisconsin suburb, chances are, your outdoor kitchen needs a heater. If you live in LA, you can get a little more tropic with your design. Maybe you throw in a gazebo next to a pool, who knows?
Wherever you are, your climate and environment should dictate the majority of your decisions. Plot your outdoor kitchen around what makes the most sense from a functionality standpoint. If you can’t use the accessories you install, why spend money on them?
Pair Your Architectural Design with Your Kitchen Design
Your outdoor kitchen shouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb in your given environment. It also shouldn’t stick out when compared to your home design. The outdoor kitchen should be an extension of your home, not an outlier. Try to match elements of color and structural design with your home. Doing so creates a cohesive unit rather than two structures.
Plan for Utilities
Deciding your utilities is a function of the appliances you plan to use for your outdoor kitchen. If you plan on installing a fridge in your outdoor kitchen, you will need electricians to finish the job. If you’re only planning on having a charcoal grill, you might not need electricity.
Incorporate Entertainment
Incorporating entertainment can be as simple as a few JBL speakers, and as complex as installing a sound system with a big-screen TV. Choosing your entertainment will depend on your budget and in most cases, it shouldn’t be the primary spending item.
Conclusion- Tips for Your Outdoor Kitchen Design
Choosing your outdoor kitchen design can be a stressful process that requires diligent planning. However, you should never approach your outdoor kitchen design with more stress than optimism. Having an outdoor kitchen will help you enjoy the freedom of the outdoors while enjoying the comforts of home-cooked cuisine.
Your outdoor kitchen design will depend on a lot of factors, mainly your location, budget, and style preferences. However, the main focal point of your outdoor kitchen design is to pair with your house adequately. It doesn’t take all the bells and whistles to ensure your kitchen stays enjoyable.