Enjoy Your Backyard This Summer With A New Outdoor Kitchen
As spring and summer’s sunny weather heats up, outdoor kitchens can help you save energy and enjoy the outdoors. Who doesn’t love the smell of a good BBQ? Whether you’re grilling steaks or veggie kabobs, cooking in your backyard is a great way to relax and entertain.
Custom outdoor kitchen designs can leverage the patio or deck space you have. Plus, a well-designed kitchen can add resale value and appeal to your home. Of course, you also want a kitchen that meets your needs and works. That’s why it’s best to know what your options are by talking with professional designers before you dream up your project.
Consider Your Space
The first thing you’ll want to consider is how much space you have. Custom designers can help you determine the placement of your outdoor kitchen, as well as whether you’ll need to run additional electrical or gas lines.
Also, think about what you want in your kitchen. Do you only want a grill and some countertop space for prep? Or do you want other appliances like a mini-fridge, a sink, and ovens with burner tops?
Aesthetic Preferences
Just as important as available space is how you want your outdoor kitchen to look. Do you prefer granite or quartz countertops? What kind of finish and handles do you want on the cabinets? Are stainless steel appliances a must?
The good thing about custom designers is that they can mix and match a personal look for your tastes. Together you can create a small island with a stainless steel grill top and small rustic cabinets underneath for storage. Or you can design the same island with granite countertop prep space and sophisticated-looking cabinets that rival an indoor kitchen.
Larger spaces can accommodate fuller kitchens with wrap-around countertops and custom stone underneath. Your storage space, cabinetry, and appliances can all have a stainless steel finish for a clean, uniform look. It really depends on the limits of your imagination and what your outdoor space can hold!
Benefits of Outdoor Kitchens
We’ve touched on a few benefits of outdoor kitchens like saving on utilities, entertaining, and increasing your home’s value. However, there are some others like saving money on take-out and eating healthy, fresh foods. It’s also nice to grill and fry foods without having to worry about unpleasant smells hanging around inside your home for days.
While some of these perks are self-explanatory, you may be wondering how an outdoor kitchen will help you save energy. If you’ve ever baked a pie for an hour on a hot day, you may have noticed your home’s temperature go up. While a higher indoor temperature may work great for a cold day, on a warmer one your air conditioner has to work harder. That means a bigger electric bill.
With an outdoor space equipped for cooking and entertaining, you’ll increase your home’s energy efficiency and living space. Customized designs can turn your backyard into a place your friends and family will never want to leave.