Creating a contemporary outdoor chill zone that’s designed for both dining and entertaining makes your social gatherings more fun and helps you escape everyday stresses. Outdoor kitchens in particular are a fabulous way to up your hosting game.
Let’s face it, cooking indoors can be less than ideal during the summer months. But with an outdoor cooking station, you can take advantage of the beautiful weather and spend more time enjoying your backyard oasis.
How Do You Make an Outdoor Kitchen?
Knowing what you need and how to get it is the first step in assembling your kitchen patio design. With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can turn your backyard into the hottest ticket in town.
Determine the Type of Kitchen You Need
Depending on your budget, lifestyle, and available space, the ideal outdoor cooking centre may vary from one person to another. A grill plus elements like an outside bar that may double as a counter create the most basic type of kitchen. As with other DIY projects, you are free to be creative with your arrangement and make it as extravagant as you want.
First, consider whether you want a simple arrangement or a fully equipped kitchen. From there, go on to decide what is necessary and what isn’t, as well as whether your spending limit and personal preferences allow for the extras.
Make Sure You Have Enough Space
If you live in a smaller home, there are fewer options for where to put a grill and any additional supplies. Thankfully, there are many alternatives available for appliances, plumbing, and counter space in even modest outdoor kitchens.
To establish which appliances you should prioritize, measure your whole outdoor space. After you’ve determined the size of the area that you can work with, you may start selecting elements.
Permanent or a Portable?
If you’re renting or planning to move in the near future it’s important to outfit your alfresco kitchen with features and equipment that you can bring with you. For instance, a movable cart and a single grill may be used to create a mobile barbecue island or makeshift countertops.
If you don’t plan on moving soon, a patio kitchen will be a satisfying project for you to plan and build. Decide on a location that’s convenient and safe, then start considering materials that go with the exterior of your property and are readily accessible.
Work with a Budget
My next piece of advice is to set a budget and stick to it. Aim high in case it ends up costing more than expected. Employing a designer, acquiring permits, buying tools, and paying professionals for add-ons like electrical and plumbing all incur additional expenses. Before starting any job, always seek advice from local experts. This crucial step will help you understand the whole range of anticipated expenses before establishing your budget.
Consider Your Cooking Styles
Determine your preferred outdoor cooking style and technique: Do you enjoy eating hamburgers or seafood that has been roasted over charcoal? What about pizza baked in a stone oven outside? Is a smoker or a tandoor better?
These days, it’s not unusual for a kitchen patio to have a variety of ovens, stoves, and griddles in addition to gas, propane, electric, or charcoal grills. It’s crucial to consider if you’ll be cooking outside or whether you’re fine with preparing meals inside first. If you want to conduct all of the cooking in your alfresco kitchen, you’ll probably need to update your budget and get a full set of kitchen elements.
Think About the Weather Conditions
If you reside in an area with a warmer climate, you can use your alfresco kitchen even more frequently than the one you have indoors. In this case, it’s appropriate to go for a bigger outside setup.
If your region experiences more intense weather, you need to carefully choose the spot where you’ll place your alfresco kitchen. The location shouldn’t be too windy, hot, or cold. Consider installing a spacious and sturdy outdoor awning that will protect your kitchen all year round.
Choose the Materials
If you intend for your outside kitchen units to be permanent fixtures, consider the outside of your home’s construction materials, as well as any elements that are built of metal or tile. Select kitchen units that complement your home’s exterior.
Along with the aesthetic, take into account the size and scope of your project, your budget, and the accessibility of the materials. Each option’s final cost will vary depending on labour rates and customized installations.
Prepare for Maintenance
An alfresco kitchen is constantly exposed to various weather conditions. Even if you don’t use it much, the surfaces and appliances will still need to be protected and kept in good condition to endure changing weather. If you live in a coastal area, your appliances will also require routine cleaning to get rid of salt build-ups from the ocean air that may swiftly damage various materials.
Consider how much time and work it will take to maintain an alfresco kitchen. Will you be the sole cook and cleaner, or will you have assistance? This way you can create a kitchen with appropriate upkeep requirements for your schedule.
