A considerable number of homeowners are turning their backyards into outdoor kitchens, thus giving this space some new purposes. Outdoor kitchens give you a chance to enjoy moments spent under the stars while dining and organizing events for your friends. By making this project work and by adding an outdoor kitchen to your home, you will only increase its functionality and it is honestly one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Outdoor kitchens are projects that include not solely the kitchen areas but also dining space and seating, so you should probably consider making it one whole. Therefore, we will provide you with four things you should know about outdoor kitchens before making a final decision.
Location
Before you set off on this journey, you need to estimate the space you have available for pursuing this project. Generally, you can turn your patio into a mini kitchen space reserved for some family and close friends. By considering all of the important factors in the construction of this kitchen, such as functionality and organization, your outdoor kitchen should be situated so that you have enough space to prepare food without being confined and it should be close enough to your indoor kitchen for food to be taken in and out with minimal effort. Additionally, you need to think about the construction and figure out how all the materials will be stored and piled. If your outdoor kitchen is a DIY project, then you should consider a couple of DIY methods that will be helpful to you. Anyway, when building your outdoor kitchen, it is essential to think of the functionality and element positioning, since you will not want anything to be in your way towards the indoor kitchen or between your outdoor kitchen and dining area.
Outdoor Dining Area
As previously mentioned, your outdoor kitchen project seems incomplete without your outdoor dining area. If you want to spend some high-quality moments in your outdoor dining area, then you should consider investing in a high-quality dining set that is stable, aesthetically fits the entire space, is low maintenance, and is durable. You should try to find all weather-friendly furniture such as wicker and teak. These are naturally oiled types of wood that will not dry out easily like some other types normally used outdoors. Alternatively, there are also aluminum dining sets that come with numerous benefits. Aluminum is a rustproof, lightweight material that is weather-friendly and can be found in a huge number of different designs so that it fits any patio. If one thing is certain, no one will want to sit inside if you have your own outdoor dining area, regardless of the design and decoration. When planning your outdoor kitchen project, make sure there is enough space for everyone, and consider getting a table that can be converted into a larger one when more space is required.
Materials
Materials play a crucial role when it comes to outdoor kitchen designs. Hence, choose low-maintenance and durable materials that are easy to clean up and weather-friendly. Materials like stainless steel and limestone are perfect for outdoor kitchens since stainless steel is rustproof and limestone is durable and proof of any kind of damage. While natural stone is recommended for indoor spaces, if you still have a wish to have it in your outdoor kitchen as well, then you should pick materials like cultured granite with UV inhibitors that will protect your counters from the sun and other outside factors. It is logical that your outdoor kitchen will be exposed to different conditions like rain, sleet, high temperatures, and others, so it would be best not to get too emotionally attached to the materials that are not the best option to be used outside.
Implement the Essentials
If you are limited by space or want to build your outdoor kitchen on a budget, then you should only implement the essential elements in the kitchen space. Make sure there are cooking, serving, and cleaning stations so that you can function without any obstacles and constant marathons to your indoor kitchen to get more stuff. Doing most of the work indoors kills the initial idea of having an outdoor kitchen, so you should make sure that you have all the essentials for limitless functioning within your outdoor kitchen.
An outdoor kitchen is a phenomenal project that allows you complete freedom of cooking some of your favorite meals without feeling guilty because of the smell that lasts for a couple of days. Additionally, it is the space where you can spend some of the most beautiful family and friends moments while enjoying your food in a romantic and starry atmosphere.
