While no one can deny the importance of a regular indoor kitchen, there’s something unequivocally magical about an outdoor kitchen. It’s the perfect place for having a relaxing party with friends and family or an impromptu BBQ. It’s fun, inventive, and convenient. However, building an outdoor kitchen is a mammoth task that requires thorough planning; from material selection to climate considerations and functionality, you need to think of everything to build a durable outdoor kitchen.
Here are all the things you will need to think of when building an outdoor kitchen:
The first thing you need to consider is the cost of building an outdoor kitchen. When building a kitchen outdoors, the overall cost will be determined by your choice of material, permit requirements, the size of your kitchen, the appliances you use, and more. It’s why you must determine a budget before you start buying the materials needed to build your outdoor kitchen.
You must also ask yourself, “Do I need a permit to build an outdoor kitchen?” The truth is that it depends on the design of your kitchen. You will need to acquire a permit if you want to add a roof to your kitchen and get electrical and plumbing work done in it. You might need to follow local and state requirements to add framing grills and fireplaces.
The material you choose for your outdoor kitchen cabinets will impact the functionality, style, and cost of your kitchen. Make sure to choose a material that is appropriate for your climate to avoid friction in the hinges and doors. Typically, powder-coated stainless steel works best in areas where the weather is not so ideal.
When building an outdoor kitchen, keep two things in mind – functionality and aesthetics. Here are some things you will need to remember:
Think of the size; do you want a sprawling outdoor kitchen that covers your entire deck or do you want room for a lounge area? If you have more space, you can use built-in grills, islands, and other convenient features. Meanwhile, working with a small space requires more ingenuity.
Think of the shape you want for your kitchen as well. Your chosen shape will depend on how you want to interact with your guest while cooking, where you want to place the hot and cold zones, how much counter space you want, and more.
If you want proper lighting, you will need to consider weatherproofing options. Also, choose the appliances and lighting that will add to the functionality of your kitchen. Always leave an inch or two around the top and bottom of your cabinetry and in between appliances to ensure proper ventilation. Don’t forget to add some shade to your kitchen, such as a pergola or an enclosed space, to protect yourself and your appliances from the heat.
When building an outdoor kitchen, you will need to choose a color scheme for it. Choose colors that support your vision while ensuring that they are weatherproof, durable, and easy to maintain. Don’t opt for colors that will become a nightmare to keep clean.
Keep the aforementioned considerations in mind when building an outdoor kitchen to ensure optimal functionality and aesthetic appeal. Lastly, always have a clear vision of what you want your kitchen to look like while welcoming reliable expert opinion and doing thorough research.
