Designing Bespoke Outdoor Kitchens for the Ultimate Entertaining Experience
Bespoke outdoor kitchens blend modern efficiency with the benefits of being in nature, increasing your home’s livable space. They also provide a unique place to relax, entertain and spend time with your loved ones. Modern materials and state-of-the-art appliances provide durability and functionality; unique touches allow you to make the space your own. Here are some important elements to consider when designing your luxury outdoor kitchen.
Evaluate Your Space
Before you begin the design process, thoroughly evaluate the area you’ll be transforming. The amount of square footage you have to work with is certainly an important factor, but it’s not the only thing you should consider; take into account variables such as sun and wind exposure, plus practical concerns like how close the space is to your neighbors.
Determine Your Needs
How exactly do you plan to use your outdoor kitchen? Will it be a place to entertain guests on special occasions when the weather is pleasant, or are you planning to utilize the space more regularly? Knowing this in advance will help guide your decision-making with regard to layout, appliances, seating and more.
Choose Smart Materials
Select building materials that can withstand any kind of weather, no matter how temperate your climate happens to be. Stone and concrete are excellent choices for flooring; stainless steel or marine-grade aluminum cabinets can be powder-coated in vibrant colors or left unpainted for an elegant and modern look. Pull everything together with statement-making quartz or granite countertops; consider using durable porcelain tile to up the wow factor.
Invest in Quality Appliances
Visual appeal is important, but functionality is crucial; you want a kitchen with well-designed components that don’t require an excessive amount of upkeep. Install durable, weather-resistant appliances that are specifically designed for outdoor use. Grills, smokers and pizza ovens are, unsurprisingly, the most commonly incorporated appliances in outdoor kitchens, but don’t underestimate the convenience of a spacious refrigerator/beverage cooler on hot summer days (or a warming drawer/oven when the temperature turns cooler). Griddle attachments can be placed on top of your grill for preparing foods that need more of a flat surface to cook, and side burners allow you to boil and fry dishes with ease.
Outdoor sinks and dishwashers require the additional expense of running a water line, but are well worth it if you plan to do a lot of cooking and don’t relish the idea of ferrying dirty dishes back and forth between your indoor and outdoor spaces.
Work with Your Surroundings
A successful outdoor kitchen should function as an extension of your home, complementing your existing design and blending seamlessly with its surroundings. One way to do this is to connect your indoor and outdoor areas with large windows or folding doors, thus encouraging more visual continuity. If possible, consider mimicking architectural elements from your home (columns or alcoves, for example) within your outdoor kitchen to enhance the flow between the spaces. Does your yard have great views? Orient your kitchen to capitalize on this by placing your seating area in the best vantage point.
Of course, there are other practical reasons for designing an intelligent layout. For example, if you plan to get a lot of use out of your grill, make sure your seating area is far enough away from the grill that you and your guests aren’t bothered by the heat and smoke that it emits. Likewise, if you’re installing a sink but not a dishwasher, place the sink closer to the interior of your home to minimize the distance you have to walk with your hands full of dishes.
Personalize Your Space
Functionality and efficiency aside, your kitchen should also reflect your personality; think about the things that bring you joy and incorporate those things into your space. Are you a wine connoisseur or a cocktail maven? Design a separate counter or island with barstool-style seating, a mini-sink and a built-in cooler for wine and mixers. (Or combine your kitchen with your pool to create a swim-up bar!) Sports fans can watch the big game al fresco on a wall-mounted outdoor TV screen; avid gardeners can set aside a section of the kitchen for growing herbs and vegetables.
Keep it Properly Maintained
Maintenance is especially important for outdoor kitchens because they’re constantly exposed to the elements. In addition to standard chores such as cleaning surfaces and checking for signs of wear, you should schedule seasonal maintenance tasks, including sealing countertops, inspecting gas and water lines and protecting your furniture.
Versatile and stylish, bespoke outdoor kitchens enhance the quality of your life while also adding curb appeal and increasing the value of your property. With careful planning and smart design, you can create a personal oasis right in your backyard.
