Contractor Tips Blog

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 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.

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