How to Design Your Perfect Outdoor Kitchen (Tips and Things to Consider)

If you’re thinking of building an outdoor kitchen, don’t get stuck with a crappy design. It can be hard to choose the best outdoor kitchen for your needs.

You might want to go with a commercial-grade kitchen design or something more simple and budget-friendly.

It pays to do your research on different styles of construction before deciding on a particular style and model. This article takes you through how to set up your outdoor kitchen and provides tips you need to know.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SETTING UP YOUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN

PLAN OUT YOUR FINANCES

Your budget will play a major role in how you design your outdoor kitchen. This is especially true when it comes to choosing the basic design elements. Here are some things to consider when you’re figuring out your budget:

Placement:

Is the kitchen designed to be above or below the garden? You’ll need to consider the number of people that will use your outdoor kitchen and how it’s most practical.

Fencing:

The type of fencing you’ll use will affect how easy it is to clean up after your guests. You can choose from galvanized, stainless steel or bamboo fencing.

If you’re going with stainless steel fencing, the protective coating should be replaced every six months. Stainless steel can have a rustic appearance, so it can be hard to find a pattern that isn’t too matchy-matchy.

WHAT THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN WILL LOOK LIKE AND HOW IT WILL FUNCTION

Generally, you can have a fully functional kitchen right outside your back door with a little bit of planning. Outdoor kitchens are something to be enjoyed daily; they can be great for entertaining.

From beer pong and burgers to grilling and music, an outdoor kitchen can provide the perfect venue. When you plan on getting together with friends and family you’ll want to consider the surface area.

MAKE THE LOCATION ACCESSIBLE

You should consider when planning your outdoor kitchen to be as accessible as possible. Is it wide enough for a full-sized grill or pizza oven? How accessible will it be to your guests?

You want to design a kitchen that makes it easy for people to get in and out. It doesn’t matter whether it’s for cooking, eating or drinking. If you have an existing structure or foundation, you can extend your kitchen into that room.

CONSIDER HIRING A CONTRACTOR FOR LANDSCAPING

When finalizing the outdoor kitchen design, you need to do your research on what kind of materials will be used. Of course, you want the best quality, so you need to get the perfect advice on how to landscape. Materials that match your budget and space are most important.

Once you know the number of materials that will be used, it becomes easier to find a designer. One that matches the requirements and will deliver the most appropriate design that fits your needs.

DETERMINE THE BUILDING MATERIALS YOU WILL USE

There’s one more thing to consider when choosing an outdoor kitchen design: the materials available. There are many different types of outdoor kitchens, but most are built from a combination of a solid concrete slab. It can also have a steel frame, and a finish such as wood, aluminum, glass, metal and concrete.

Nearly every outdoor kitchen we’ve seen includes a concrete slab and frame. The major differences between all of the different construction materials are durability and price.

Materials like wood, aluminum, glass and steel, while durable, are typically not the most cost-effective. There are also different styles of outdoor kitchens available that will require some different considerations. Some people might want a different roof or the addition of a chimney.

USE THESE TIPS WHEN DESIGNING AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN

If you’re building an outdoor kitchen from scratch, here are a few tips for setting it up. Many people prefer to keep things minimal, especially if the outdoor kitchen is for a large group.

You don’t want to over-design or clutter the space.
If you have an outdoor kitchen, it’s recommended that you install a gas fireplace. It can warm up the room while providing ambiance.
You might consider using a double-door grill. The grill door is located on the back of the grill, so there’s no clutter or hooks to get in the way of your grilling.
Consider built-in cabinets and some feature built-in tables, countertops and walls.

DESIGN YOUR LAYOUT WITH TASTE

Decide on what kind of layout you want your outdoor kitchen to have. Is it going to be a mixed cooking and entertaining area? Or is it going to be solely focused on barbecuing?

It’s important to choose the one that best fits your cooking and entertaining needs. It’s great to have a nice size kitchen on the patio.

Think about keeping all appliances together. An attached bar can be used as either a prep island or counter space.

SELECTING YOUR MATERIALS CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME

Choosing materials for your outdoor kitchen is as important as it is when you build a home. Make sure you choose the right materials and don’t forget to budget for them. You’ll need a durable concrete or ceramic floor, stainless steel countertops, a natural gas grill, a sink and taps.

Choose what’s best for your budget and the number of people you’ll be having around you. You’ll also need to consider the weight of the materials you’ll be using. All this depends on the type of construction and the amount of weight that will be lifted on your piece.

MAKE SURE YOUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN ELEMENTS COMPLEMENT THE SETTING

When considering your outdoor kitchen’s design elements, you need to keep in mind how you plan on using the area. There are many options to consider, from an outdoor fire pit to a custom-built grilling island. Even a traditional outdoor table will give you a place to eat, hang out, and host your guests.

Keep in mind what season you will be using your outdoor kitchen. If it will be your primary cooking area, look for an open-air design. If you will be using the area for eating and entertainment, create a second area off the main space. You can even use pieces of furniture to make a pull-out seating area.

THE ULTIMATE TIPS AND TRICKS WHEN DESIGNING AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN

Consider the floor plan

Think of the design of your kitchen, and think about how your kitchen will flow. For example, if the kitchen runs the length of the entire patio, this design is ideal for a central layout. Another thing to keep in mind is your guests’ comfort zone.

Do you really need that large stove island in the middle of the party?

You might prefer something a little more nimble so you can walk around. Many commercial kitchens have a glass-topped work island that makes it easy for guests to see what is going on. By installing a kitchen island, you’ll be making it easy for your guests to see what you’re making.

MAKE SURE YOUR APPLIANCES ARE TOUGH ENOUGH TO SURVIVE THE ELEMENTS

An outdoor kitchen will need to be equipped with the right appliances and equipment. Think about gear such as a grill or a barbecue.

Depending on your budget and available space, you might want to go with something cheaper and easier to assemble. For example, you might want to go with a basic grill that will be less complicated to use and assemble.

You could also go for a folding grill if you have lots of space and time. However, the more advanced barbecue grill might be a better option if you want to be able to entertain guests. Don’t forget outdoor kitchen cabinets and fixtures.

WORK THAT STYLE JUST RIGHT

Kitchen furniture and accessories can add a lot to the final look of your outdoor kitchen. You want to choose the style that best suits your unique needs.

Some people go for a stylish and functional outdoor kitchen design that emphasizes functionality. Others may prefer a more rustic style for entertaining their friends and family.

It’s possible to blend both looks into a one-of-a-kind kitchen that reflects your personality and tastes.

THE RIGHT LIGHTING WILL MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN POP

Consider the aesthetics of the lighting fixtures in your outdoor kitchen. Many kitchens can easily adapt economic and powerful LED lighting into their design.

These lights are normally weatherproof and can easily take weather extremes with little to no adverse effect. The colors are normally programmable so you can set any mood you need.

GET YOUR FIRE PIT UP AND RUNNING

Have you ever seen a cozy fire pit? It’s a cool addition to any outdoor kitchen. Some people like to build fire pits on their deck. This way, you get a little taste of luxury without busting your pocket.

In some cases, it’s even possible to make a fire pit out of a concrete slab. This is an option if you don’t want to invest time and energy into making one from stone or bricks.

CONCLUSION

Good design can make or break a project. If you want to get the most out of your outdoor kitchen, create an appealing and functional design. That way, you can enjoy the best of both worlds— a sleek-looking kitchen that is also easy to maintain. Contact us at Exscape Designs today for all of your landscaping needs and we can do the tough work for you. Happy Designing!