There is no question that a backyard kitchen offers the ultimate experience when it comes to entertaining your guests. You have the freedom of the open sky, which makes your kitchen feel massive compared to the often cramped amount of space you have indoors. There are few places better to locate your outdoor kitchen than in your beautifully landscaped backyard. However, it is important to keep a few essential considerations in mind when planning this outdoor cooking space. If you want to create the perfect entertaining oasis, the tips you find here will help you do just that.
Choose the Flooring First
The best way to begin your outdoor kitchen design is by considering what you will use underfoot. After all, since this kitchen is going to be outside, you need something durable that will be able to withstand the weather and adverse conditions that are often present. This is why natural stone is one of the most popular options for this type of space.
Not only will natural stone, such as granite, look aesthetically pleasing in this space, it is also extremely easy to maintain. In most cases, all a granite surface will need is the occasional use of a broom and mop to restore its beautiful appearance. Also, if you choose solid granite slabs for your flooring, you won’t have to worry about grout and seams, which means fewer places for dirt and debris to become stuck and unsightly.
Placing the Gas and Electric Hookups
When creating your outdoor kitchen design, you also have to carefully consider where you will install your electric and gas hookups. When planning this part of your outdoor kitchen, the best tip to remember is – location matters. You need to be able to tie in all the elements to create an attractive kitchen that will also provide you with an effective and functional workspace. It is a good idea to try and integrate the hookups into your home’s side wall or into another secure fixture such as the cabinetry. This will help to minimize the potential of moisture damage or other issues from occurring.
Consider the Countertop Material Carefully
Another important part of a functional outdoor kitchen is the counters. The material you choose will impact how easy it is to clean the surfaces and how aesthetically pleasing the space is. A smart, durable and affordable option to consider is granite countertops. You can choose the same pattern and color of granite you used for the floor, to help create a cohesive space, or choose a complementing, accent color of granite. Doing this will create visual interest for the space, while still providing you with a durable, easy to clean surface for preparing and serving food.
Eating and Sitting Areas
In addition to using granite for the areas where you will prepare the food, you can also install a granite surface bar and granite topped stools for eating areas. If you plan to cook outside, you need to make sure there is adequate, comfortable seating for everyone who visits. Granite can be formed into virtually any shape you may need, which means that you can use it for a multitude of purposes, including a serving and sitting area in your new outdoor kitchen.
Additional Features to Add to Your Outdoor Kitchen
There are a number of additional features you should keep in mind when creating the perfect outdoor kitchen. For example, you need a sink installed in your granite counters. You can add a granite backsplash, to help add even more visual interest to the space. It may also be wise to integrate a small refrigerator outside. This can be for storing food until it is time to eat, or even for cold beverages for you and your guests.
Granite is waterproof, too, which means it is the ideal option to use in your outdoor space. I can be easily cleaned and maintained and withstand virtually any type of adverse weather condition. If you have plans to construct an outdoor kitchen for your home, then you should carefully consider using granite surfaces to help make the space durable and aesthetically pleasing.