When the days get longer, and you can smell spring in the air, every one of us wants to take the usual indoor activities to the outside, right? And dining is not an exception.
When hosting a garden party or a barbecue outdoors, it’s painstaking to go back and forth inside the house a million times to fetch things. We’ve all been there – spending more time dashing in and out instead of enjoying the experience. That’s why, if you’re looking to expand the beautiful living space into your backyard, an outdoor kitchen is your perfect solution.
But drawing a crowd and keeping them entertained requires more than an old grill and a few plastic chairs. Many times, I have seen people themselves short when it comes to outdoor kitchens.
But do you know the ROI on homes with an outdoor kitchen is significantly higher? In other words, you’re investing in your future by investing in an outdoor kitchen.
So, does your outdoor kitchen look a bit tired and worn down? There are several tweaks and tricks you can apply to enhance its appearance and functionality.
In this blog, I’ll tell you the top 5 ways to improve your outdoor kitchen.
Weatherproof The Area
The scorching summer sun, brutal winter storms, and occasional thunderstorms can be unforgiving. So, outdoor kitchens should always be made safe for all kinds of conditions and adversities. From choosing the right flooring and hardware elements to covering the appliances, there are quite a few things you need to keep in mind.
For instance, if you live in a warm climate, you have to ensure the kitchen remains cool and bugs stay at bay. Fan, umbrellas, and misting systems can help quite a lot. On the other hand, it’s super important to add windbreak and overhead protection if you live in a relatively cooler area. And lastly, covered areas like porches and pavilions can save rainy days.
But regardless of the region and climate, you need to choose furniture and equipment designed specifically for the outdoors. For flooring, you can opt for wood as it can be weatherproofed for all kinds of weather. As for fabric, choose a material that won’t mildew, stain, or fade.
As for appliances, always make sure to go with ceramic and stainless steel options as they’re weather-resistant and adorable.
Don’t Deprioritize The Grill
A grill in an outdoor kitchen is an indispensable and obvious fact. However, in most cases, we tend to cut corners when it comes to grilling. A cheap, basic grill won’t cut it. On the other hand, a quality grill will enhance every aspect of the outdoor kitchen – from the basic functionality to easy usage and quality of the food you cook.
When choosing the grill, don’t forget to select the size big enough to accommodate the usual amount of food you take. Deciding based on the number of guests you usually have is a good idea too. Next, decide on features that will make the cooking more fun and more manageable, such as smoker boxes, side burners, griddles, and rotisserie burners.
Another great addition would be a fire pit, which will essentially make your backyard a bona fide glamping ground. You don’t have to go all-out — building a simple fire pit will set you back a few hundred bucks.
If you’re looking for top-notch quality, Warming Trends offers high-quality burner systems. On the other hand, if you prefer value for money, don’t forget to check out prefabricated options from Firegear.
And lastly, if you want to go all out, a pizza oven would be the cherry on top. Wood and gas fired pizza ovens from vendors like Alfa are the perfect addition to any outdoor space.
You don’t necessarily have to add all of these – any one of these will elevate your outdoor kitchen game by miles.
Think Through How You Want To Dine Outside
A solitary barbecue in the hidden corner of the garden isn’t going to entice anyone to cook outdoors. Sometimes, even a simple shade or shelter structure can make a tremendous difference to your outdoor kitchen and enhance its usability.
Playing up with a creative design and clever repurposing can transform your outdoor kitchen for open-air entertaining.
Here are a few things to consider:
Fixed outdoor directional lights for those after dark get-togethers – make sure there’s enough lighting for all nook and crannies so nobody has to turn up their mobile’s flashlight
Nobody wants to stand or eat next to the fiery grill on a hot summer day. An umbrella or a pergola structure – anything that fits under your budget should be installed to provide ample shade.
Enough table and chairs for all your family members and a few guests. No-brainer. Counter space with barstools would do too.
Always Consider The Proximity To Your Interior Space
The whole idea of having an outdoor kitchen is having a distinguished, refreshing break from the indoor space. However, also note that the farther the outdoor kitchen is from your home, the farther you’ll have to run electrical, gas, and water lines. Not too convenient, right?
Also, completely isolating your outdoor kitchen from the inner space means you will have to spend too much time and resources to equip it fully. Usually, improving the connection between the indoor and outdoor to ensure a smooth transition will make your cooking a lot more enjoyable and easier.
For instance, installing a sliding or bi-folder door is an excellent way to create that interior/outdoor connection. Also, outdoor kitchens built just outside the backdoor can leverage the indoor kitchen’s conveniences.
Plan Your Storage
A cluttered kitchen is a nightmare. If your outdoor kitchen is cluttered, it just defeats the whole purpose of having an outdoor cooking space, and honestly, it just kills the vibe, doesn’t it? Thus, when upgrading your outdoor kitchen, a factor that you should never overlook is storage.
You shouldn’t be cutting corners when it comes to investing in cabinets and drawers to safely store all of your grilling and cooking utensils, dinnerware, cleaning materials, and everything else.
In my opinion, one indispensable upgrade should be stainless steel drawers. These aren’t just weatherproof, convenient drawers but also style statements that will add to your kitchen’s aesthetics and functionality.
Before I conclude this blog, I’d like to invite all of you to come along with us and discover how you can upgrade your outdoor kitchen to match every single one of your expectations. We are just a click away. Contact today and collaborate with us to create the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.
