Contractor Tips Blog

Aug
6

3 Reasons to Add a Backyard Kitchen

More and more people are using their backyards and patio area as an addition to their living space. Why spend time indoors when you can relax outside in the fresh air? The only problem is that when it is time to eat, everything still needs to come out from the indoor kitchen. While firing up the grill is one way to move the cooking duties outside, there is still quite a bit of running in and out. Why not add a backyard kitchen to complete your outdoor space? Here are three great reasons to build an outdoor cooking space.

  1. Convenience. Make it simpler to feed the family or guests by bringing the kitchen to where you eat. If you love eating alfresco, then make it more convenient with a full kitchen connected to your patio or deck. Add a fridge, sink and cabinets to have everything you need outside. Plus, cleaning is so much easier when you can do it outside.
  2. Conversation. If you are the cook in the family, you know how much you miss when you stuck in the kitchen cooking. Join in the fun and stay part of the conversation during gatherings with an interactive outdoor kitchen space.
  3. Value. Your outdoor kitchen will not only be a benefit to you and your family, it can add value to your home. Many people enjoy outdoor living and a backyard kitchen could be a great selling point if you put your home on the market.

Don’t spend another summer running to and from your indoor kitchen. Call your local paver contractor to discuss building your new backyard kitchen for your outdoor living space.

Posted on behalf of:
Tri County Pavers & Design
3300 S Congress Ave
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
954-603-3244

Jul
23

Enjoying an Al Fresco Dinner at Your Home

Most people spend the majority of the days inside at work. Why come home and do the same? Enjoy your dinners with your family al fresco, or under the open air. You can create an outdoor dining area; better yet, you can cook your meals outdoors too. Here are some ideas to make al fresco dinners a regular occurrence at your home.

Stone Patio

Start your dining experience off right with a new stone patio. Stone pavers can create a stunning floor for your outdoor dining area. Tumbled marble or travertine are excellent choices for your patio; they are easy to maintain, stay cool in the hot sun and look beautiful. Make sure your patio is large enough to accommodate guests when you want to entertain.

Add a Dining Set

You need a comfortable, stylish outdoor dining set for your al fresco dinners. Choose a table that suits your taste and will fit your family and a few friends on special occasions. Make sure to find comfortable chairs – you want to be able to relax while you enjoy your dinner under the sky.

Outdoor Kitchen

If you love to cook, having an outdoor kitchen will be wonderful for your al fresco nights. Why get stuck in the kitchen when you can cook under the sky and be with your family on the patio? Find a local contractor to build your dream kitchen outside – it will be great for private dinners and when you entertain, plus add value to your home.

Make this summer all about dinner al fresco at your home. Talk to your local contractor to start designing your new patio and outdoor kitchen.

Posted on behalf of:
Tri County Pavers & Design
3300 S Congress Ave
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
954-603-3244

Mar
31

Benefits of Adding an Outdoor Kitchen to Your Home

Do you love cooking for friends and family, especially when you can eat outdoors? Why settle for just a grill to prepare outdoor meals when you can have an entire kitchen on your back patio? Custom outdoor kitchens are a popular addition to enhance the entertainment area at your home. Consider these benefits in investing in a new kitchen for your outdoor living space.

  • Convenience. Make it simple to prepare gourmet meals for your guests outside with an outdoor kitchen. Adding a sink, stovetop and fridge make it convenient for you to make more than just burgers for your next party.
  • Clean up. Who wants to bring in messy outdoor cooking utensils and sooty pans into their indoor kitchen? Clean up outside in your outdoor kitchen to keep your home clean. It also saves on trips in and out of your house that can track in dirt.
  • Conversation. With an outdoor kitchen, you can enjoy spending time with your guests while you make them a fabulous meal. No need to be away from the fun just because you have food to prepare.
  • Outdoor kitchens add beauty and value to your home. Consider a natural stone kitchen to complement your outdoor space. When it comes time to sell your home, this added feature will differentiate your home from others on the market.

If outdoor entertaining is one of your pleasures, make it easier and more convenient with an outdoor kitchen addition to your patio. Talk to your local paving contractor that offers outdoor living home improvements to get started designing your dream outdoor kitchen for your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Tri County Pavers & Design
3300 S Congress Ave
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
954-603-3244

Oct
26

5 Elements to Consider for Your Outdoor Kitchen

The backyard cooking area has greatly evolved from the stand-alone gas or charcoal grill to a full-blown outdoor kitchen. If you are ready to graduate to a fully equipped kitchen for your outdoor living area, there are some elements to keep in mind before you begin creating your design. Consider these basic factors that are involved in creating the perfect outdoor kitchen.

  1. Floor and shelter. The base of your kitchen is usually on your back patio, usually a cement or paved area. You want a floor that can be easily cleaned with a hose. For some homes, some sort of shelter may be needed, like a pergola that offers a little shade and possibly a roof or wind break.
  2. Appliances. Almost every outdoor kitchen will have a grill. But in addition, many also have a smoker, a rotisserie, an oven, warming shelf, a refrigerator, ice makers, wine coolers and other appliances. You can make your outdoor kitchen as elaborate or simple as you want.
  3. Counters and cabinets. For most outdoor kitchens, you want to counters and cabinets to be made of outdoor-friendly materials like natural stone and shelves/drawers made from stainless steel.
  4. Lighting. While you may be grilling during the day, don’t forget those late night gatherings where you may be cooking past dusk. Make sure to include lighting to give you the ability to safely cook your late night meals.
  5. Utilities. Many outdoor kitchens will have all the same utilities as an indoor kitchen including plumbing, electricity and gas lines. These need to be planned in advance of beginning your kitchen construction.

To get the outdoor kitchen of your dreams, trust a contractor that can help you complete your outdoor kitchen from start to finish. A contractor with experience in outdoor structures and working with natural stone is a must.

Posted on behalf of:
Tri County Pavers & Design
3300 S Congress Ave
Boynton Beach, FL 33426

Mar
28

Outdoor Kitchens

Now that the weather is continuing to improve and day light savings time is here, it is time to start thinking about spending more time outdoors.  One of the more popular activities in the warmer months is cooking outside.  While everyone grills out during the warmer months, why mot think about taking it to the next level by building a custom outdoor kitchen that is not only functional but is a key element in any outdoor living area.  Outdoor kitchens are extremely popular and are extremely functional.  In addition they add value to any home, especially in areas of the country such as South Florida where outdoor living spaces are highly desirable.  

An experienced design build contractor will be able to create a design to meet almost any budget, while incorporating the elements that are important to the homeowner.  Designs can range from the very simple, where a grill is built into a wall, to very complex designs that incorporate grilling areas, ovens, work surfaces, refrigerators, sinks, ice makers, storage and other features, which mimic a traditional indoor kitchen.  These more complex designs also incorporate plumbing, electrical and ventilation into the design as well. 

The design of the outdoor kitchen can be incorporated into an overall short and long-term landscape and hardscape plan for the property including pools, patios, dining areas and retaining walls.  In many homeowners see a great deal of value in being able to design, build and enjoy their outdoor kitchen space now and having it fit into the long plan for the property’s outdoor living space!

Posted on behalf of Tri-County Pavers & Design Corp.

Jan
17

Expand Your Cooking Space With An Outdoor Kitchen

No one wants to be stuck inside cooking when it is beautiful outside. A custom outdoor kitchen on your patio or deck can give you more space to cook while enjoying the sun and the company of your family or guests. In addition, you can cut down on cooling expenses by doing your cooking outside without heating up your home during the warmer months. 

Creating An Outdoor Kitchen That Is Beautiful And Functional

For many families, the backyard or patio is the main area for entertaining and spending time together, making it a perfect place to add a custom kitchen area. Whether you just want to add counter space around an outdoor grill to make it more functional or you want the versatility of a full kitchen outdoors, you can design this area to blend with your décor and be useful at the same time. 

  • Add natural rock – Give your outdoor kitchen a rustic theme by using natural rock as the exterior of your cabinet and counter area.
     
  • Easy cleaning – Stainless steel appliances are perfect for an outdoor kitchen,as they’re easy to clean and maintain.
     
  • Outdoor plumbing – Add a sink and wash area so that cleaning can be done outside, keeping your indoor kitchen free of the mess.
     
  • Match your patio – Use bricks, pavers or other stones for your kitchen enclosures that match the rest of your patio, making your kitchen blend perfectly with the rest of your outdoor area. 

Consult a professional outdoor kitchen contractor who can help you make the most of your patio. Together, you can create a beautiful cooking area for family gatherings, entertaining or just to give you a cool place to make dinner. It can add to both the functionality of your patio as well as the value of your home.

Posted on behalf of Tri County Pavers & Design

Jul
3

Outdoor Kitchen Components

Once you’ve come up with a design and structure for your outdoor kitchen, it’s now time to consider appliances and accessories and with outdoor kitchens enjoying so much popularity these days, the market is crowded with options.  

Grills 

The grill typically takes center stage in the outdoor kitchen. They are usually made of stainless steel and can be stand alone units or components that are dropped into a professionally built structure. Grills can also include side burners and stainless steel counter space for food prep. 

There are also plenty of grill accessories available, including grill hoods that protect your guests from annoying smoke and warming drawers for storing cooked food. 

Mini Refrigerator 

These are particularly useful for keeping cold drinks and ice within reach and storing condiments. 

Sinks 

These stainless steel units fit right into your professionally built outdoor kitchen counter. They can be fed by hose, or through your home’s plumbing. 

Electrical outlets 

These are handy for using any electric appliance outdoors, including blenders, stereos and outside lighting. 

Heater or Fireplace 

If you are planning to use your outdoor kitchen space in cooler months, a small built in electrical heater is an invaluable tool. Better yet, have your landscaper or professional paver build an outdoor fireplace – the ultimate in luxury and romance! 

Kitchen Island 

A kitchen island in your outdoor kitchen is just as useful as a kitchen island in your indoor one. Your local expert paving and landscape contractors can help you design one that will suit your needs perfectly.

Jul
3

Outdoor Kitchen Design

Outdoor kitchens are one of the biggest trends in home design and it’s easy to understand why. Nothing really is better than sitting outside in your own backyard, enjoying a delicious barbecue dinner with family and friends. 

A custom outdoor kitchen will last the lifetime of your home and add value to it, but there are some things you should consider up front to make sure the project is done right. 

Budget 

Outdoor kitchens come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can range from a simple patio, canopy and grill to an elaborate outdoor room made of stone, with counters, cabinets, hearths and benches. It all comes down to money, though, and how much you can do yourself versus what you would need a professional to do. 

A word of advice: If your budget is limited, spend your money on professional services to build permanent structures such as flooring, counters, etc. This really is an area that you want done right. 

Location  

Proximity to the house is a big consideration when designing your outdoor kitchen. Many homeowners prefer a location adjacent to their indoor kitchen for convenience – it’s much easier to bring dishes in and out of the house if you’re closer. It also makes sense economically because the outdoor kitchen can share plumbing and electricity with the indoor kitchen. 

Functionality 

You should consider functionality in your outdoor kitchen design. Cabinets, counters, grills and refrigerator should all be located in places that make cooking and entertaining quick and easy. 

Cover 

If you are spending all the time and money to make an outdoor kitchen, it makes sense to protect it from the elements and allow you to use it in less than ideal weather as well as later into the season. For those who live in hot climates like Florida, a cover will give you a shaded area to relax and enjoy your meal away from the bright sun. Covers can range from a fabric tarp or canopy to a roof extension or arbor. It all depends of course on budget.

Oct
11

Enhance Your Entertaining with an Outdoor Kitchen

When you’re entertaining, the kitchen becomes the central hub that facilitates the service of your guests. After all, what is a party without food and beverages? When your party is taking place out of doors, having to travel back and forth from the kitchen inside the house can be very inconvenient. We try to minimize this inconvenience by using ice and coolers to keep things cold and a grill to do the cooking. More and more homeowners are solving this problem by installing a fully functional outdoor kitchen in their outdoor living space.

What would you need to make your custom outdoor kitchen fully functional? A refrigerator for beverages would be a top priority for most people. Installing a small outdoor refrigerator in a bar area where your friends can either be served or serve themselves will put an end to trips to the kitchen for beverages or ice. Plus, it will look much nicer than camping coolers set out on the patio or deck.

A large grill built into a granite countertop with plenty of work surface will make the chef of the family enjoy his task even more. Cabinets for storage of picnic ware and service pieces make it easy for the hosts to remain available for their guests instead of disappearing indoors for supplies throughout the party. A bar sink with running water will be another item quick to hit the list. If you want to go to the ultimate in luxury, your outdoor kitchen can also include a dishwasher, specifically designed for outdoor installation.

Finish off the area with some great outdoor lighting features for the evening parties and your backyard will be a place where you can attend to the needs of your guests without ever having to leave the party.

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