Outdoor Kitchen Designs

It’s been said that the kitchen is the heart of a home. These days, with more and more people living in apartments or small homes, it can also serve as a gathering place for friends and family.

But while you may have all the space you need inside your house to cook up dinner, grilling out on your porch or patio just doesn’t have the same appeal. Fortunately, there are plenty of outdoor kitchen designs to choose from.

In this article, we will walk you through the six steps to plan your outdoor kitchen. Let’s dive deep into this topic. 

Outdoor kitchen designs

Learning how to build an outdoor kitchen is a great way to upgrade a backyard. It adds a lot of value and it is better for socializing while preparing fresh food. Outdoor kitchens are made from different materials, but the most common one is stone or brick because they look natural in an outdoor setting.

Image Credit: http://brownjordanoutdoorkitchens.com

In addition, bricks can be easily stacked together without mortar to form a good structure for your kitchen. The other material option is wood, which often requires fasteners or metal supports so that it does not get damaged from weather conditions over time. Stones and bricks have been used as building materials since ancient times because they’re easy to use and provide a lot of advantages compared to other materials such as wood and plastic.

Also, they require low maintenance and add value to your home.

Material options for building your Outdoor Kitchen

The following are some materials that you can use for your outdoor kitchen design.

1. Stone

Stone is often used to build outdoor kitchens because it can withstand weather conditions over time. It also adds a natural look and feel to the space where you’ll be setting up your kitchen. By choosing stone, you don’t need to worry about the costs of maintaining them because they can last for decades without requiring much work.

2. Wood

When it comes to building your outdoor kitchen in your backyard, choosing wood is another popular option. Compared to stone or brick, wood is easier to maintain and doesn’t require frequent treatment. If you’re wondering about do-it-yourself outdoor kitchens, then this material should be considered right away because there are lots of tutorials available online that show how it’s done. 

Wood is also lighter than other materials such as bricks or stones so it won’t cost too much in additional labor fees either when moving them around during construction. While wooden exterior designs look great with rustic home designs, make sure to choose the right kind of wood that won’t get damaged after a few months because they require additional treatment.

3. Metal

Outdoor kitchens made from metal are good for entertaining guests because they provide a unique surface to cook on and sit around while enjoying drinks. It is always best to use stainless steel whenever possible so you can avoid rusty surfaces in the future which would be difficult to clean up. Although it’s not as easy to modify something made from metal when compared with other materials such as stone or brick, it does have great benefits for being durable and low maintenance at the same time.

4. Plastic

If you’re wondering how much an outdoor kitchen costs, then plastic should be considered because it is the most affordable option on this list. It is often chosen because it can be purchased in insulation panels which are lightweight and easy to install without much work required. However, plastic only lasts for a couple of years especially if you don’t take proper care of it each year during the winter months when snow might pile up on top of it.

5. Glass

If you’re worried about how to build an outdoor kitchen without hiring too much help then picking glass could be your best bet. It provides a different look compared to traditional stone or brick designs because it’s transparent and shiny. Compared to other materials that require assembling, glass outdoor kitchens are already assembled at the factory so they’re ready for installation. If you decide to pick this design, make sure to maintain it regularly, or else it might get corroded and discolored which could be difficult to clean.

The choice of material depends on where you live and how much time and effort you wish to put into maintaining it. It is also good to keep in mind that the materials with the most spectacular appearance are usually more expensive so you may have to compromise your budget to achieve the look that you want.

Decide on appliances that are best for you

There are lots of appliances that you can include in your outdoor kitchen design.

1. Cooking and baking appliances

The most common cooking and baking appliances found in an outdoor kitchen space would be the oven, stovetop, and refrigerator. If you’re wondering how to build a barbeque grill then these three appliances will suit well for preparing meals as well as activities such as dining and entertaining guests later on. When choosing your preferred outdoor kitchen design, just make sure that these appliances provide stability by being attached to the ground so they don’t tip over during harsh weather conditions. Make sure to choose units with stainless steel or cast iron surfaces because those materials can withstand heat but also require low maintenance care over time.

2. Drinks and beverage appliances

You may also want to include other beverages and drink appliances such as blenders, cocktail shakers, wine coolers, or dispensers based on your needs. If you’re planning to entertain guests who like to drink at the same time as they dine, then installing appliances such as these can make this activity more enjoyable for everyone involved. These appliances should be hidden inside cabinets or closets so they don’t spoil the exterior appearance of your outdoor kitchen design.

3. Other appliances

There are lots of other appliances that can come in handy in an outdoor kitchen space depending on how you would like it to function and the number of people who would benefit from it throughout the year. For example, microwaves usually only heat your food so it’s not very useful during winter but a solar oven can be an excellent choice when you want something that requires less maintenance and works well with nature. Another possibility is to install a barbecue pit which has the advantage of being highly efficient for grilling large quantities of meat at once although there need to be ventilation points included in between for burning off the smoke.

4. Refrigerated drawers

This type of appliance is more common indoors but you can find it in modern outdoor kitchens as well. A refrigerated drawer provides lots of extra space aside from your regular refrigerator because it won’t get hot outside during summertime. This makes it perfect for items such as ice cream, frozen fruits, vegetables, and even beverages if they are kept in proper conditions.

5. Icemakers

If you don’t have enough room for a refrigerator with a separate ice maker then you can also opt for a built-in ice maker which would provide ice cubes regularly without extra energy consumption. Aside from providing beverages, the best part about ice is that it’s used to cool down warm drinks and other dishes while also being used as a serving piece on its own.

Consider Layout

The way your outdoor kitchen is designed depends on how you will use it throughout the year so it’s not recommended to make these decisions too quickly without thinking things through thoroughly first. If you plan on grilling regularly then you may want to add a grilling station in between other appliances such as the refrigerator and stovetop. However, if you’re planning on hosting larger events then the best option would be to include a separate dining space or an outdoor bar located near your cooking and baking appliances. This would mean that food and drinks can easily be transferred over all at once without extra effort.

Planning

If you’re unsure about how your outdoor kitchen design should look in terms of style and functionality, then it’s best to seek advice from an expert who can guide you through this process to get the most out of your experience. There are even services online that provide virtual reality tours featuring different concepts for modern outdoor kitchens including their layout plans so it’s a good idea to browse through their many options whenever you have the time to see what matches your tastes and preferences best.

Maintenance Tips

Grills, stoves, refrigerators and other appliances included in an outdoor kitchen design can be quite hardy but they do need proper care for them to function properly over time. You should clean these devices from time to time especially if you see rust developing on any of the metallic parts as this usually indicates that it’s affecting other components as well. In case grilling is done regularly throughout the year at your place then you might want to consider cleaning after each use so food particles don’t stick around until next time which could cause long-term problems with smoke being produced every time it’s used again.

Building a beach house kitchen

A beach house kitchen design is one of the most popular exterior kitchen designs in many parts of the world because it’s considered to be a great way to make an outdoor space more functional while also providing lots of extra storage space for your favorite dishes.

There are even ready-to-install models available online which you can order and have installed within a few days if you are in a rush. 

Image Credit: http://danver.com

There are many ways you can build your beach house kitchen with minimal effort including using wooden cabinets underneath the countertop that double as seating when placed around a center island or table.

Final thoughts on outdoor kitchen designs

In conclusion, having an outdoor kitchen in your backyard can be very beneficial. Not only does it add value to your home, but it will also become a great place for family and friends to gather.

If you are thinking about building or remodeling your current outdoor kitchen then I hope this article has given you some good ideas on how to get started. The great thing is that no matter what design of kitchen you choose there are so many styles and finishing possibilities.

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Victoria Grant