How to Design Your Outside Kitchen for Maximum Appeal
Building an outdoor kitchen requires vision and imagination, but you also want a design that works well with the rest of the house. Create an outdoor kitchen that brings out the ultimate chef within you! Even (or especially) if you hate to cook.
Designing your outdoor kitchen starts with a plan and a loaded bank account. While this project doesn’t exactly coincide with an inexpensive home improvement list, its value comes back in joy, relaxation, and home resale.
Meticulous planning will help you avoid paying for things you cannot use. Flexibility is important, too, because what you want may or may not be feasible for the living space. Keep these points in mind when designing your outdoor kitchen to achieve maximum appeal.
Location
Choosing the right location for an outdoor kitchen involves noting the proximity to the house’s indoor kitchen and how easy it would be to go back and forth. Wind patterns play a part too — strong gusty days can blow cooking smoke into the house. Installing kitchen cabinetry and appliances on the patio, inside or near a gazebo, or on a newly built slab is an option, as long as there are outdoor electrical outlets.
Layout
Deciding on a layout partially depends on your cooking style. Do you like to barbecue? Bake? Experiment with different recipes and ingredients? Typical outdoor kitchens have counter space, storage, cooking utensils, and appliances — your space can be as complex or as simple as your vision.
Because food is so readily available, outdoor kitchens will inadvertently attract ants, mice, and other unwanted pests. Designing a space that is easy to clean will cut down on the number of unwanted guests.
Budget
It’s easy to get carried away when it comes to saying “yes” to the things we want but creating a reasonable budget with a margin for rising costs and availability will keep your project in check. A budget determines the types of materials and appliances to choose.
If you cannot pay for the entire project upfront, look into borrowing money with a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. Stay within reality – it is easy to overspend when planning a dream space. Build for a good return on investment.
Permits
Local building codes come into play when designing an outside kitchen. In most cases, you don’t need a specific permit for an outdoor kitchen, but major plumbing and electrical work do require them.
Certified electricians and plumbers will handle permits and other code requirements. Wiring and plumbing are not DIY projects. If you want the job done right and up to code, hire a professional!
Communities with a homeowner’s association (HOA) may require approval before you can add to your home. Check with the HOA — if you don’t need approval, get that in writing.
Materials
Choose weather-resistant, durable materials that blend in with your home’s overall décor. For example, granite, natural stone, and concrete are good options for countertops. Stainless steel cabinets ward off rain and snow.
Wood is nice but requires extensive sealing and polishing to keep it from warping and swelling, plus it can attract termites in Pennsylvania. Strong flooring made with porcelain tile or natural stone withstands bad weather and is easier to clean than porous materials.
Appliances
Reliable, modern appliances are essential for your new kitchen.
Go “smart” with an oven that heats up with a tap of an app on your phone. Grills heat with electricity, gas, charcoal, and propane. Cooktops include burners, side burners, and griddles. How about adding a pizza oven?
Storing food in a standard-sized refrigerator-freezer keeps you from having to run back and forth into the house.
The ultimate convenience is having an outdoor kitchen sink with hot and cold running water and a garbage disposal.
Shade and Lighting
Cloth and retractable awnings shade the kitchen from bright sunshine and protect against inclement weather. Pergolas with draped fabric and easy-to-open patio umbrellas are options, too. Bright lighting is important for cooking and food preparation. Ambient lighting brings on a cozy mood, especially after sunset.
For comfortable outdoor cooking, your space is just as important as what’s in the house. California real estate investor Alex Capozzolo of SD House Guys says creating a living space that people can see themselves in will help when it’s time to put the home up for sale.
Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.