03 May Outdoor Kitchen: The Best Way to Utilize Backyard Space
If you’ve been spending hours gazing into the backyard wondering what to do with it, more than likely you’ve considered an outdoor kitchen. If you haven’t yet, now is the time. Outdoor kitchens are one of the best ways to bring the family together, enjoy the fresh air, and have an amazing meal outside. In order to bring this idea into the light, you need to consider a few things first. Here’s some planning tips to think about before you break ground.
Set the Scene and Location
Before you choose your foundation, it’s important to find the best place in the yard for the kitchen. You want it to be safe, convenient, shaded, and look good. In order to do that, spend some time in the yard. Keep an eye on how the sun exposure moves at different times of day. If you think you’ll be doing a lot of hosting, is the area big enough to sit all of your guests? Do you want something more intimate for just you and the family? Take a good look at how much space you want to utilize and the best location for it.
The Foundation
When you know where you want your outdoor kitchen and how large you’d like it to be, it’s time to choose the foundation. You have to consider your climate and lifestyle when you make this decision. You don’t want to choose something that’ll be too hot on your feet in direct sunlight or easily deteriorate in harsh weather conditions. If you have small children, something that might be slippery when wet is probably not a great idea. These seem like small things to consider, but it can make a big difference once everything is complete.
Arrangement
When it’s time to start building the kitchen area, think about the flow of your prepping, cooking, grilling, serving, and dining. If your outdoor kitchen is directly off your indoor kitchen, you may not need as much prepping space or storage. If you’d like to have a full service outdoor kitchen with prepping areas, sinks, and storage, be sure to arrange all of these stations in an order that is both smart and convenient.
Appliances and Furniture
Now it’s time for the fun part. Choosing the outdoor appliances and dining sets is a great way to show off your style. If you’re undecided on the decor, you can find outdoor kitchen design ideas in Orlando, FL. from professionals who build these for a living. Don’t hesitate to think outside the box and choose funky cushions or outdoor rugs to spice it up! Of course, remember to consider your climate. If you’re used to rainy afternoons, something waterproof like teak furniture could work best.
