Cooking Out: Designing an Outdoor Kitchen That Works for Your Lifestyle
No longer does cooking out mean throwing some hotdogs and hamburgers on a small grill on the patio. Today's patios and backyards are equipped with full outdoor kitchens that take entertaining and everyday living to a whole new level. Determining which outdoor kitchen is right for your lifestyle is the first step to designing a great outdoor kitchen that works for you.
Consider your space
Be realistic about the amount of space you have to establish an outdoor kitchen. Trying to cram too many elements into a small space will only result in a kitchen that overwhelms your outdoor space and makes it difficult to navigate when performing cooking tasks. If space allows, you may want to enlarge your deck or patio prior to designing your kitchen.
Determine your needs
What will you use your outdoor kitchen for most of the time? If your main use will consist of cooking meals for your family and spending quiet evenings at home, smaller grills and other elements will suffice. If you host large gatherings for friends and family, you should consider buying a larger grill size and other elements to suit your needs.
Avoid elements you do not need
It may sound like a great idea to add a brick oven for baking your own pizza to your outdoor kitchen, but if you rarely make pizza, it is probably best to eliminate the brick oven and save your money. It can also be costly to have multiple grilling elements, such as gas, electric, charcoal, and a smoker included in your outdoor kitchen. Choosing one or two grill methods you use most often will help keep costs down.
Be mindful of your future plans
If you move frequently, investing in an outdoor kitchen with portable elements will save you money in the long term but will also limit your options in design. If you plan to remain in your home or make the outdoor kitchen a selling point for your home in the future, you can opt for built-in options, such as cupboards and adding a roof over your outdoor kitchen.
Adding an outdoor kitchen to your home is a wise investment that you will enjoy for years to come. Whether you love cooking for your family or hosting lavish parties, a great outdoor kitchen can take outdoor living to a whole new level. Being realistic about your needs for cooking and entertaining will help you design the outdoor kitchen that will serve you well now and in the future.
To learn about more outdoor kitchen options, contact a local business, such as Made In The Shade Patio & BBQ.