Outdoor Kitchen Design

Are you looking for a way to increase your enjoyment of your home? To make it easier to entertain guests and to encourage your family to spend quality time together? Do you need more living space but don’t want to add a room to your home’s footprint? Do you love being outside but also want the creature comforts of the indoors? Do you want to add value to your home? If you answered yes to any of these questions, an outdoor kitchen might be the best move for you.

Outdoor kitchens are growing in popularity as people spend more time at home and want that time to be enjoyable and fun. Putting the focus on togetherness, casual (but tasty!) dining, and comfort, outdoor kitchens can help you create memories and enjoy your home more than ever.

But even a quick Google search will give you more information and options for your outdoor kitchen than you probably knew existed! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, read on as we break down some of the best features available for your Tallahassee Midtown, or Summerbrook home.

Outdoor Kitchen Design: Cooking

Nothing says outdoor living like food hot off the grill. Outdoor kitchens usually feature a grill as their centerpiece. If you’re a grilling aficionado, choosing your grill might be the most fun part of designing your kitchen. Consider the following:

• A built-in grill will look upscale and make good use of your space.
• Think about whether you want a gas or charcoal grill. Or the best of both worlds: a double grill with gas on one side and charcoal on the other.
• Speaking of two-sided grills, consider choosing one if you want the ability to cook meat on one side and veggies on the other, or use one side for cooking and the other for keeping food warm.

If your grill is going to be under a roof you’ll also want to include a vent hood in the outdoor kitchen design. 

Grills aren’t your only option for cooking.

• A wood-burning pizza oven would be a fun and unique addition to your outdoor kitchen, and you can use it for pizza, flatbread, and even casseroles!
• Griddles are also becoming more popular–doesn’t a Saturday morning spent outside eating pancakes and bacon sound delightful?
• Full ranges are becoming more popular in outdoor kitchens. It’s handy to be able to cook your sides at the same time and in the same location as your main dish. And for those cooler fall evenings, a pot of soup bubbling on the outdoor range could be perfect.
• If you don’t have space for a full range, consider a grill that includes a side burner or two.
• Smokers add a fun vibe and the ability to increase your grill-master skill set.

Outdoor Kitchen Design: Layout, Prepping, and Storage

To make your outdoor kitchen really enjoyable, it’s important to put as much thought into its layout and features as you would your main kitchen. Whether you lay out your outdoor kitchen along one wall, in an L-shape or U-shape, or in another design, the principle of the work triangle (in this case, arranging your grill, fridge, and sink in a triangle to improve workflow) still applies. Think about installing your sink and grill on the same wall and putting an under-counter fridge in an island, for example.

Make your prep space as luxurious as you can by choosing great countertop materials. While outdoor kitchens need to be able to withstand the weather, they can still be beautiful as well as functional. Some options for outdoor countertops include

• ceramic tile
• stainless steel
• wood
• concrete
• granite
• soapstone

Your under-the-counter storage should have access doors made of stainless steel or wood in order to protect your dishes and cookware from the elements. We recommend WeatherStong Outdoor Cabinetry from Ideal Cabinetry. You may also want to consider using storage drawers instead of cabinets–it’s easier to lift heavy pots and pans out of them. And a pull-out trash bin is a great solution to keep your food scraps out of the way.

Outdoor Kitchen: Socializing

As you think about the layout and features of your outdoor kitchen, consider how many people you want to be able to host. Is it just your family? A few friends? Or a block party? The answer will determine the amount and types of seating you should plan for. It’s good to have multiple zones for seating and socializing, such as

• a large outdoor dining table,
• a fire pit with benches,
• a bar or countertop with bar stools, and
• comfy seating like outdoor couches around a low table.

To make it really feel like an extension of your home, consider a roof overtop of your outdoor space. A porch or patio roof with ceiling fans will make even a Florida summer more pleasant. You could also have a pergola or canopy installed. If you choose not to cover your kitchen area permanently, you will need to invest in high-quality furniture and appliance covers to protect your investment.

Outdoor Kitchens: Beating the Heat

While it used to be seen as a splurge, outdoor refrigerators are becoming more common. Consider how much easier it would be to prep your food if your meat, veggies, and desserts are right where you need them, saving you the hassle of many trips indoors.

It’s also very handy to have an outdoor ice maker installed. A built-in beverage bin can take the place of a portable cooler, and be a little nicer to serve from. Another option for keeping things cool is a beverage refrigerator. Your family and guests will be able to enjoy cold drinks whenever they want, and you won’t have to keep refilling the cooler with ice.

Outdoor Kitchens: Worthwhile Splurges

The sky is the limit when it comes to features and upgrades available for your outdoor kitchen. Here are some of our favorite splurges–ones we think pay for themselves in convenience and enjoyment:

• A sink. While it is a hassle and an extra expense to run plumbing outside, it’s so worth it. You’ll love the convenience of being able to wash fruits and veggies, clean dishes and utensils, and wash your hands without having to keep going back inside.
• Outside dishes and cookware. If you’re planning to use your outdoor kitchen often, consider investing in a second set of dishes, silverware, pots, and pans. You can store them in your cabinets and drawers, and they’ll be ready when you are, making entertaining easy.
• A dishwasher and garbage disposal will make cleaning up a breeze.
• An outdoor TV. If you have a covered space, a TV hung on the wall outside with comfy couches gathered around it will make your backyard your favorite place to watch the game or binge on Netflix.

Nothing beats the ease and fun of an outdoor kitchen. If you want to enjoy your home more than you ever have and make it the best hangout in the neighborhood, give us a call. While the options available and decisions to make can be daunting, we’re here to help. We can assist you in planning and executing your vision for backyard living at its finest.