Summer is the perfect time for entertaining. The kids are home for the summer, the pool is open and the nights are made for relaxing with friends. The only problem is, while everyone is sitting out on the patio having a great time, you’re stuck inside the house in the kitchen. Well you don’t need to be. An outdoor kitchen will provide you with a perfect entertaining area for family and friends. Whatever you can dream and desire in your outdoor kitchen, it is possible. All it takes is focusing on what amenities found in your indoor kitchen you would really like to include in your outdoor kitchen. Start planning ahead with a wish list of how you want to use the new space and what you want it to look like. It is easy to create an outstanding outdoor kitchen and entertaining space. In a few easy steps we can create a great plan for your outdoor kitchen.
Choosing the right location is the first step. It is best to place the outdoor kitchen near to the existing kitchen or with easy access to the house. Sometimes there is an opportunity to add an outdoor kitchen by your pool or in the garden away from the house to create a separate entertaining space. It is best to provide some privacy from neighbors while directing views to appealing garden elements. Consider where the prevailing winds are from and try to prevent smoke from blowing into any nearby windows or doors or over the patio. It is best to place the dining area upwind from any smoke source, if possible.
Second, determine the configuration and size of the proposed outdoor kitchen. The space must accommodate the cook and have a great “working triangle”. The working trianlge should have unobstructed access to the sink, cooking areas and refrigeration. Other things to consider and plan for are an easy path for transporting food to the dining area and and easy path from the indoor kitchen. Many people plan for the grill and that is it, but it is essential to provide sufficient counter space for working and preparation, and areas for storage, refrigeration, and a sink to make your outdoor kitchen complete. It is important to size the area appropriately for the normal entertaining while meeting your needs and desires. The area should comfortably accommodate enough spaces for typical entertaining needs and allow for temporary accommodations for that once or twice a year big barbecue.
Preparation work space and counters all need to be roomy enough to accommodate cooking, meal preparation, serving space and must be made of materials that are durable, stain resistant, weatherproof, cool in sunlight and resilient so it is not easily damaged or chipped. All of the materials you choose should blend well with the other landscape elements to create an attractive palette. In other words the area needs to be well thought out and planned ahead of time.
Third, let’s figure out what appliances are going to be in the kitchen. Outdoor kitchens should be more than just a grill, which is only the start of a basic kitchen design. As we get more into your outdoor kitchen design, we will add many other components. What we add is only limited by the space available, your needs and desires and the budget constraints. Many components that can be integrated into an outdoor kitchen area include: various sized grills, smokers, hybrid grill drawers, rotisseries, griddles, side burners, searing stations, wok station, warming cabinets, pizza oven or a deep fryer; Cooling appliances like outdoor refrigerators, refrigerated drawers, freezers, ice makers, wine chillers, beverage centers, cocktail stations or kegerator; Storage can include pieces such under counter storage drawers, pull out garbage drawers, shelves, recycling cabinet, paper towel bins or garbage drawer; Cleaning appliances like dishwasher or outdoor sinks; and ventilation with outdoor hood vents. The kitchen must meet all local and state building, health, zoning and fire codes. These vary by region and municipality.
Usually the focus of the outdoor kitchen is the grill,
so choosing the right grill is absolutely critical to your overall satisfaction with the cooking experience. There is a wide variety of qualities for manufacturers of lines of barbeques and outdoor kitchens. They can range in all sizes and styles and from simple to high-tech for the grills and other components.
Fourth once the location, size and appliances are all figured out we coordinate the lighting, utilities, entertainment needs and heating for the space. Lighting for the the outdoor kitchen is very important and includes: general lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. General lighting is important because it floods the space with a soft glow that illuminates the overall space. The general lighting is usually good enough for dining, and circulation but it is not sufficient for cooking and preparation. This type of lighting can be accomplished with recessed lights or overhead lights. Task lighting is very important and provides ligher levels of light for the grill and preparation areas. This can be accomplished with spot lights and most grill companies provide lights on the grill hoods for after late evening grilling. Accent lighting can be used to create a mood. Sometimes this will be done with pendant lights over the bar area, floor lamps or achitectural lights.
Utilities necessary for most outdoor kitchen installations, depending on the complexity, include the fuel source for the cooking appliances with a choice of propane, gas, wood, or charcoal and basics like electricity and water. There are various entertainment options that can be incorporated into outdoor kitchens and dining areas. These include sound systems, televisions and projectors. Incorporating music and a sound system into your outdoor entertaining area with an outdoor speaker system will provide added enjoyment for guests and the homeowner. Additionally, video monitors, televisions or computers can be incorporated into sheltered areas of the kitchen for entertaining outside. There are several companies providing flat panel TV’s for use in covered outdoor areas.
We recommend adding a roof or shade structure over your outdoor kitchen. A roof or shade structure will keep the area clean and also provides opportunities for lights, speakers, televisions and outdoor heaters. Another option which allows you to extend the use of your new outdoor kitchen is to include outdoor heaters. Natural gas, portable propane or radiant heaters are effective to keep diners and cooks warm on a late fall evening. These come in a variety of forms. Many outdoor entertaining spaces and kitchens are now including fireplaces, chimineas, chimuras or fire pits for adding heat.
Lastly, based on your style, budget and needs, we figure out the material choices and palette. For the appliances and cabinetry stainless steel is the most popular material for outdoor kitchens, since it is a very sanitary surface, easily cleaned and corrosion resistant in the outdoor environment. However, there are several companies offering different colors and looks for the cabinetry and accents.
Options for counter tops include granite, slate, other types of stone, stainless steel, tile or concrete. In selecting the counter it is necessary to make sure the material is resistant to grease stains and easily cleaned to be most effective. Each one of these materials has a different price point so we are sure to find something that fits your budget. There are many options for the grill enclosure structure and the cabinetry. The enclosure is often made of concrete block then covered in stone. However, it can be made of steel framing materials then coated in thinstone veneer, stucco, brick or tile. The cabinetry is often made of stainless steel, but other materials can be used as well. The key is to create a space out of a palette of materials that work together from a design perspective and meets your needs.
Creating an outdoor kitchen was one of the top ten trends for 2011 and will continue to be popular in the next few years as more homeowners want to enjoy their current property and enhance their lifestyle without the necessity of going away on vacation or upgrading to a new home. Expanding the home’s livable space outdoors, provides a return on your investment.
Not sure where to start? Let us help you design the perfect outdoor kitchen for your property, call Rock Spring Design Group, LLC 203•268•6979 or email us at info@rockspringdesign.com today for a free one hour consultation to start planning your upcoming landscape project www.rockspringdesign.com. Thank you for visiting our blog where we provide a fresh viewpoint with great information and insights on Landscape Architecture, site planning and the world of outdoor design. If you like what you see here please forward this onto your friends. Also check us out and Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RockSpringDesign
