Outdoor Kitchen – Oasis for the Whole Family
Last Updated on October 9, 2020 by Duncan
Having a backyard is a huge advantage, but many homeowners take it for granted, leaving the outdoor space to serve as an open shed or something similarly uninspiring.
One of the best ways to use the perk of having a backyard is to design an outdoor kitchen that will serve for every event, whether it’s a kid’s birthday party, barbeque for your neighbors, or a summer cocktail party with your friends.
However, building an outdoor kitchen requires some serious considerations about things such as electricity, water supply, flooring, cabinetry, and appliances.
Here are some tips that will help you create the outdoor oasis your family deserves.
Form follows function
To become an oasis, an outdoor kitchen needs to look beautiful, but also be functional as well. So, here are some things you need to consider before the pretty makeup:
- Electricity
If you’re planning on using electrical appliances, you need to have an idea of where to plug them in. The easiest road would be to use external, weatherproof outlets running from inside the house. Also, you should have protective covers for the outdoor sockets.
- Water supply
Use the external hose points of the house and install an instant water heater.
- Accessibility
Have your garden kitchen close to the backdoor of your home.
- Wind direction
Assess the general wind flow in your area and build the kitchen downwind from your house.
- Prepping the space
Before you can even start with the works, you need to do thorough garden maintenance, including mowing the lawn, installing new gutter guards, and getting rid of the clutter.
Choose your kitchen style and go with it
The basic style you follow will dictate the choice of flooring, appliances, and kitchenware. Most people go for a rustic design when it comes to outdoor kitchens, but you shouldn’t ignore your home’s interior in this process.
The outdoor kitchen should be the extension of the indoor space, thus creating a natural flow from the inside out.
Some of the ideal styles for outdoor oasis are rustic, modern, tropical, Oriental, and eclectic.
The most important design elements of an outdoor kitchen
When designing an outdoor kitchen, you need to start from the ground up.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the flooring. Flooring can be wooden (perfect for the rustic style), bamboo, stone, tile, and concrete.
Regardless of what you choose, it needs to be weatherproof (especially if the kitchen is not covered) and resistant to high traffic.
Cabinetry designed for external use will save you a lot of nerves and money you would otherwise use for the maintenance of less appropriate materials.
The most popular styles to use are masonry and stainless steel. Along with giving any space a high-end look, these two are also very resistant to the elements.
Stainless steel is great for outdoor appliances as well. You’ll equip your outdoor cooking space according to your needs, but some of the essentials will likely include a grill, an oven, a blender, and a fridge.
The details that create a prettier picture
Just like the kitchen inside the house, the outdoor kitchen needs to be adorned with beautiful details that will create the oasis you’re aiming for.
However, this part is more challenging for the external space, so, in most cases, the accessories will also have a function of their own.
For example, spreading some stylish wooden kitchenware (cutting boards, paddleboards, cheese boards, etc.) on the countertop can be just as effective as candles, flower vases, and other similar accessories.
Also, you can arrange some greenery and potted plants around the area.
The sitting area and the lighting
If you’re cooking outside, you’re probably planning on eating outside.
A dining table or a sizeable coffee table, made of materials resistant to the elements, should be accessible from the kitchen and relatively close to the cooking area.
Thrift stores and flea markets are great sources of furniture that can be repurposed for your sitting area.
Don’t shy away from including cushions and blankets to make the space more homey and comfy.
And if you’re planning on using the space at night, make sure you install adequate lighting.
One ceiling fixture (if the place is covered) like a vintage chandelier can do a lot, but you can also achieve great effects with wall lamps, string lights, candles in jars, and solar lamps.
Bottom line
The outdoor space for cooking and eating is an invitation to creating wonderful memories with family and friends. Let these tips spark your imagination – and the rest is up to you.