Photo Credit: Rosana Solis via www.pexels.com
There is a growing trend to use the outdoors more and try to bring it into your home. By combining the indoors and the outdoors and creating a seamless blend, you can really make the most of the space you have, and whether you want to do a lot of entertaining or you just want more space for you and your family, it’s a great way to enjoy all aspects of your home.
One thing that can help you do this more is to build an outdoor kitchen. Not only will you be able to enjoy nature while you’re cooking, but it can be a great talking point, and it means that you can spend time with loved ones in a gorgeous environment. If you want to build an outdoor kitchen, it’s well worth spending some time thinking about how to make it just right, and with that in mind, here is a how-to guide for designing your dream outdoor kitchen.
Where Will It Go?
Before you can start designing the kitchen itself, you’ll need to know where it’s going to go, so think carefully about the ideal spot for it. Something that can help with this is knowing what you want to use it for – will it be intimate family meals or large parties, for example? Perhaps it’s going to be both.
Try to keep the outdoor kitchen close to the house if you can, as this makes it easier to create the seamless look mentioned above, and it means you can easily get things from inside or tidy away at the end of the meal. You should measure out the space so you can work out the quantity of materials to buy (which will help your budget too).
Decide On The Layout
Getting the layout right in your outdoor kitchen is vital, as this is what’s going to make it usable – a poor layout might mean you don’t use it as much as you originally wanted to. The classic work triangle (connecting the oven, sink, and fridge) is ideal for most setups, including the outdoor kitchen, so start with that and build everything else around it. Make sure you’ve got enough counter space so you can prepare your food and serve it without feeling cramped or running the risk of dropping things all the time.
How Will It Look?
Just because your kitchen is outside doesn’t mean it shouldn’t look great; you’ll have just the same opportunities to pick flooring, cabinets, splashbacks, and perhaps wall coverings as you would inside. The one difference is that you’ll need materials that are going to be able to withstand the elements, so choose things that are particularly durable. One great example is porcelain paving from mystonefloor.com, which will last for many years even outside (and the bonus is that it looks great too).
Pick Your Appliances
Finally, it’s crucial to choose the right appliances for your outdoor kitchen – they’ll need to be good quality but fit in your budget, so take the time to hunt around for something that will fit. Stainless steel is always a great idea when you’re choosing things for an outdoor kitchen because it’s rust-resistant, for example. The great thing about an outdoor kitchen is that as well as the usual appliances like a fridge and hob, you’ll also have the chance to install a pizza oven, smoker, and perhaps a barbecue grill – it depends on what you like to cook, but the options are all there.