Not many people admit this, but having your own outdoor kitchen is quite the dream—even more so if you’re the one designing it! After all, it’s an extension of your home where you can spend time with your loved ones leisurely and dine al fresco. Although many people aren’t convinced that they are keen on sprucing up their outdoor kitchen, this article will hopefully inspire you to deck it out to see that aesthetics and functionality can go hand-in-hand.
What are the outdoor kitchen essentials?
Unlike the classic kitchens that we have indoors, this time we’re devoid of a few things, like kitchen cabinets, but we do have a few must-haves out there, which include the following:
Grill. When you think about “outdoor dining,” the first thing that usually comes to mind is “barbecue,” and you’re definitely right about that! Of course, you have to have a grill; it’s considered the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen. At least with this, you can use charcoal, gas, or wood-fired grills, depending on your cooking style.
Countertop space. The next essential is a place where you can do food prep, which also doubles as serving space. Usually, people opt for stainless steel since it’s easy to clean and durable, but you can also go for granite or quartz tops.
Sink. You don’t want to go back and forth washing the ingredients and tools, do you? Having an outdoor sink that’s accessible saves you the trouble and energy of going back and forth. And yeah, it’s also perfect for washing hands; we don’t want to skip doing that, right?
Refrigerator or chiller. To keep your drinks chilled and store other food and condiments, an outdoor refrigerator is a must-have. It needs to be able to withstand the outdoor elements too, so choose a design that caters to that. On the other hand, you can just have a chiller ready to store your items if you don’t fancy purchasing an outdoor refrigerator.
Storage. Speaking of storing items, you also need some kind of storage space, so consider looking into outdoor shelves or organizers to keep your space clutter-free.
Seating area. Of course, it’s a no-brainer to have a designated seating area where you can dine and socialize with your loved ones; dining tables and a lounge area are must-haves for this.
Lighting. To set the mood and ambiance, it’s important to incorporate the proper lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Weather protection. Provide an umbrella or retractable awning to protect your guests and equipment from intense sunlight or rain if the occasion calls for it.
What are the best layout tips for designing outdoor kitchens?
Now that you know the essentials, here are a few layout tips you can adopt for your kitchen design.
Remember the work triangle? To create an efficient workflow, arrange your equipment—the refrigerator, sink, and grill—in a triangular layout so any of the three are easily accessible to one another.
Traffic flow. Be mindful of the people; divide areas into public and private areas so you won’t bump into your guests while busy prepping, and vice versa. Lastly;
Safety. Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you’ll neglect proper ventilation; be sure to incorporate one and have fire extinguishers ready in case of emergencies.