Creating a backyard haven is on the agenda for many families as the weather heads towards the long, delightful nights of fall. Why clutter up your kitchen during a cookout with friends and family when you can keep the mess outside? These outdoor kitchen ideas will get your creative juices flowing—and get you excited about the possibilities for convenience and fun that could be in your future. Spend less time on meal prep and clean up: you can boost your backyard bliss and create your dream home with an outdoor kitchen!
Select a Scale That Works for You
Outdoor kitchen ideas that you find on Pinterest or on the internet can look a bit overwhelming, even though they're really cool. Fortunately, you don't have to spend a fortune to really enjoy your outdoor space on a regular basis. While you certainly can redo your backyard to center around your kitchen space, there are several smaller projects that will bring a great deal of enjoyment to your family without the extensive cost or time investment. Don't put off this dream for the future—thinking that you'll make the changes "one day." Start planning today and you'll have years of enjoyment from your outdoor kitchen upgrades.
5 Key Ideas for Your Outdoor Kitchen
Planning for your outdoor kitchen requires you to consider the layout that you would like, the type of materials that you'll use, where outlets are located, any special features that you would like, and elements such as patio furniture and lights. Each particular item works well with the others to create a true space of backyard bliss for you and your family.
1. Planning is Everything
Do you want to start your outdoor kitchen right outside your back door, or do you prefer to leave a little space between your home and where you would like to cook and relax? Carefully review the space that you have available. You might even want to use an app that helps you with home design. Mark off spaces for different items in chalk on concrete or with spray paint so you can see the true scale of the project before you get started. Laser distance measurers and tape measures and a friend are a critical requirement to be successful. Are your outdoor kitchen ideas extensive, or are you simply looking for a small space where you can prep and cook your food, and then enjoy it with friends and family?
2. Select Outdoor-friendly Materials
There are a variety of pre-fabricated outdoor kitchen parts and pieces that can be melded together to form a cohesive design. Or maybe you're interested in building something unique from scratch. As you're making decisions, always keep in mind that you'll want your outdoor kitchen to look great five and even ten years down the road—something that will be challenging unless you select the correct outdoor-friendly materials upfront.
3. Nail the Essentials
True, this is probably the most boring part of the project, but the one that will cause you problems down the road without adequate planning! As you're laying out the design for your outdoor kitchen, it's essential to keep the basics in mind: where electrical outlets and water hookups are located, how to gain adequate storage in your space, how fans can be wired to keep air flowing, and more.
4. Customize Your Kitchen Design
Now that the basics are under control, you can really get creative with your outdoor kitchen design. Add some fun extra features such as a fire pit with chairs for lounging, a wet bar, grilling station, stone pizza oven and more. Even televisions can be added to this space to create a homey touch that you will enjoy long into the nights.
5. Time to Decorate
The finishing touches are truly the decorations that go along with your amazing outdoor kitchen ideas. What type of furniture would you like—something for eating, lounging, or both? How many people do you host on a regular basis, and do they have any special needs? Help your guests be comfortable and you will all enjoy your days and nights.
Creating an outdoor kitchen allows you the extra space you need for casual, fun dining and food prep that also keeps the mess out of your home. Entertaining becomes even more fun and enjoyable when you're able to mingle and be a part of the crowd as well as partaking in the beauty of nature.
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