Five Elements of an Outdoor Kitchen
An “outdoor living space” can mean a lot of things to different people. There are many ways to enjoy the outside of your home, from recreation and entertaining to relaxing and socializing. Outdoor kitchens are a popular feature of a backyard area designed to be an extension of the family home.
If you’ve ever thought of having a kitchen installed outside, here are a few things to consider.
- What will you do in your outdoor kitchen?
Do you plan to feed the family, or feed half the neighborhood at lively backyard parties? Will your outdoor kitchen be used as part of a larger backyard entertainment center, or will the scope be relatively small? Is cooking going to be a primary focus of activities, or will it be more of a side note? These are important questions to answer in the planning stages.
- Where should your outdoor kitchen be placed?
It’s common for outdoor living areas to be directly accessible from the home, but they don’t have to be. Locating an outdoor kitchen adjacent to the home is a common practice, but before making a decision, check to see if there are any county or municipal ordinances that apply. Take into account reconfiguring or construction that might be necessary for specific placement of your area.
- What cooking / storage / serving options are important?
There are many ways to cook in an outdoor kitchen. Something as simple as a nice portable grill might be all you need. You also can invest in an elaborate kitchen setup with a large gas-burning stove and oven, a pizza oven and a rotisserie. Add elegance with handsome natural stone countertops of granite, quartz or marble, ideal for serving, holding or prep.
Wood-burning appliances are an option chosen by homeowners who enjoy the aroma and rustic feel of cooking with a wood fire. Gas and electric ovens and stoves also are available. Keep in mind that wood will require more maintenance than gas or electric.
- The overall layout
Once you know what you want to do in your outdoor kitchen area, you can plan the layout, which likely will include seating, decking, a roof or canopy and, of course, the kitchen work area. If the scope is huge, it might pay to enlist the help of a landscaper or professional in living space design.
- Lighting
When deciding on lighting, do your planning at night so you’ll know more precisely the amount of light that will be necessary. Plan well for lighting, because it will be an important part of your outdoor living space in terms of both function and ambience.
With sound go-forward plan, you’ll end up with an outdoor kitchen and living area that will bring enjoyment and satisfaction for many years to come.
Spectrum Stone Designs is Lynchburg’s only local fabricator of natural stone countertops, surrounds and tiles for kitchens, fireplaces and baths. Serving Lynchburg, Roanoke, Charlottesville and all of Central Virginia, Spectrum Stone Designs imports top-quality granite, marble and other stone and expertly cuts and polishes before professionally installing in homes or offices. Spectrum Stone Designs strives for excellence in craftsmanship and customer service. Need help creating the perfect outdoor kitchen for your home? Contact Spectrum Stone Designs today!
