One of the features many homeowners are adding is an outdoor kitchen and living area. What follows are 11 things you should consider before you build an outdoor kitchen in order to make sure it is the dream escaping haven you desire.
1. Don’t get stressed during the construction – As long as you are properly planned the project and hired a professionally licensed contractor who knows how to build an outdoor kitchen, all you need to do is sit back and relax and let the professionals do their job.
2. Location – In the planning process make sure that you figure out exactly where to locate your outdoor kitchen so it incorporates easy access to your house and Interior kitchen door. As luck will have it, you will still have to run back and forth into the house to retrieve items you’ve forgotten, so save yourself some time by properly planning or be prepared to do a lot of walking while you cook.
3. Top it off – Make sure you incorporate some type of overhead covering interior design features. This does not need to be some large an overbearing tent covering, but your designer or contractor will be able to work with you to add specific features you want. Overhead covering is important because in the summertime not many people like to eat outside on a hot blazing sun. Umbrellas are another option to consider.
4. Become one with the outdoors – Make sure your outdoor kitchen blends nicely into the overall features of your yard. Being able to properly place a grill, patio refrigerator, table and chairs, bar, fireplace and whatever else you want in your outdoor kitchen will need to be strategically located to provide the proper flow.
5. Hit it, Maestro – Many outdoor kitchens today incorporate a sound system.
6. Take a seat – In the planning process figure out how many chairs and tables you want to fit in the seating area and whether they will face the grill or fireplace. Decide what will be the focal point of your outdoor kitchen area such as the grill or fireplace or other feature.
7. How does that feel? – Remember to think about the comfort of your guests because this is as important as all of the other features you’re trying to incorporate into your design.
8. What’s on the menu? – If you are the one who will be doing the cooking, the sky’s the limit as far as the features you may desire your kitchen to have. One of the largest expenditures will be on the type of grill that you want to have. If you’re not a gourmet chef there is no reason that you will need a $5000 top of the line grill other than to flex your cooking muscles.
9. Bank on it – You will need to figure out in the initial planning stages exactly what your budget is so you’ll know which features you will be able to incorporate into your outdoor kitchen. You want to be able to cut his much money as you can into your outdoor grill since this is what will be the focal point of the area and what will be used for most. Make sure you plan on this because it is one of the more costly components of your project.
10. Are you up for it? – Depending on whether you have the skills or not, you may decide to do some or all of the construction yourself. If you are going to incorporate electrical outlets and running water you’re probably better off to hire a licensed contractor experienced in building outdoor kitchens to help you.
11. Maintenance – Keep this in mind when deciding on what features and furniture you are going to use. Things are going to get wet and dirty and eventually require cleaning so take the time to think about what fabrics you will have on your outdoor furniture. Even stainless steel on your grill will have to be cleaned over time. This is one area that can quickly get out of hand if you don’t stay on top of it and plan ahead.
The top 11 things to consider before you build an outdoor kitchen are not only areas to think about in your design process but also to use as a check list to make sure that you properly incorporate them into your project. Doing this you will make your outdoor kitchen into your own oasis rather than being a slave to it.