Do you live in a place where you want to make the most of your summer months? Or are you in a place where you can enjoy outdoor living all year round? Either way, we’re strong believers that it’s good for us to get outside. As much and as often as you can.
Is there a better way to encourage the outdoor lifestyle than designing your dream outdoor kitchen and living spaces?
It’s easy to pick up a grill from the home improvement store, and choose a dining set and maybe a couple of couches or lounge chairs, but, in our opinion, putting some energy into the design can make a huge difference to your experience. It’s more than just setting up the outdoor stuff, the great thing about designing your outdoor kitchen and living spaces is that you are essentially adding rooms to your house.
This is generally the first step in the process: picturing the space as an additional room, or series of rooms. Following that, many of the same principles apply that we use designing the interior rooms of your house; we are now extending the experience and flow to the outside.
Introduction to Outdoor Kitchen Design
At almost any party, everyone hangs out in the kitchen. Isn’t that what they all say? Do you embrace this? Or is this the bane of your entertaining existence? Good design can at least set your kitchen up so that it makes the most of this phenomenon, preserving your work area while providing enough gathering space to encourage the social atmosphere.
A well-developed design concept makes all the difference between it being a place that makes you want to be out there whenever you can vs. a place you go out to grill some food.
You need a cohesive layout, and you need to choose the right materials, appliances and features that get the job done for you and your lifestyle. In a sense, there is a wide range of possibilities than for your indoor kitchen, with more elements to consider. Before you get into all of this, you should take a step back and put some thought into what you really want.
1. Determine the Purpose of Your Outdoor Kitchen
Your outdoor kitchen design is tailored to suit how you and your needs. Like your kitchen, this isn’t a cookie- cutter experience. Picture how you’re going to use it. Is it for big parties, family gatherings or your everyday use? How many people do you think you’ll have over? Will you be ducking out there to cook on the grill during the colder seasons while everyone else is inside? Do you love to prepare and smoke different meats? Does your family want to have pizza nights? Do you need a big fridge for drinks? Or even an outdoor keg fridge? Will you have a bar with it’s own seating? A large dining area? Poolside cabanas? Are you pulling vegetables right from your garden and need a sink and countertop for washing and preparing them?
If the kitchen will mainly serve as a place for grilling, then the design should prioritize an efficient cooking zone with ample counter space. On the other hand, if the area is intended for entertaining guests, the layout may focus more on seating arrangements, dining areas, and features like a bar or lounge area. It is just another category of thoughtful residential architecture. The more clarity you have about what you want, the better your architect can dig in and make your design come to life. If you’re not sure, they can take you through exercises and thought experiments to help guide you along your way.
2. Location and Layout
The location and layout of the outdoor kitchen play a significant role in its overall success. Often it works best for the kitchen to be positioned conveniently in relation to the house to allow easy access to indoor amenities, especially when transporting food and dishes. On the other hand, some building sites have a perfect location for an outdoor pavilion that stands separate from the main house.
The layout should be designed to promote efficient movement between different kitchen zones, such as preparation, cooking, and serving. The standard ‘triangle’ of kitchen design applies to your outdoor kitchen, with some added twists. Is there a pizza oven or a smoker that needs to be located a bit further from the home for ventilation? Or a herb garden you’re wanting to incorporate into the flow? And how does this all connect back to your indoor spaces, washrooms, freezers, and so on?
Considering natural wind patterns, sun exposure, and views will further enhance the experience of using the outdoor kitchen. When we’re looking at a site, finding these special moments can become the focal points the design revolves around.
3. Choose Durable and Weather-Resistant Materials
One of the key factors in outdoor kitchen design is the selection of materials that can withstand the elements. Outdoor kitchens are constantly exposed to sun, rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Weather-resistant materials dictate different aesthetics.
Stainless steel is a popular option for appliances due to its rust-resistant properties, while stone, concrete, and sealed wood are excellent choices for countertops and cabinetry. Investing in high-quality, weatherproof materials will mean a larger up-front costs, but will reduce the need for frequent maintenance. Choosing traditional materials and natural finishes will let you relax knowing that your outdoor kitchen and living spaces will age and weather gracefully.
4. Plan for Ample Counter Space
Counter space is a vital component of any outdoor kitchen, as it directly affects functionality and ease of use. Adding counter space is a commitment that starts to turn your outdoor grill into an outdoor kitchen. You can maybe do without it, but it sure is nice to have.
When planning the design, it’s important to consider the specific activities that will take place in the kitchen and allocate enough space for each zone, from food prep to plating. Additional counter space can also double as a casual dining area, especially if bar stools or high chairs are incorporated. Your designer can take care of the metrics to make sure you have enough space for your needs.
Using durable, weather-resistant materials like granite or concrete for countertops is great for longevity, but not the best for a cold climate. If your kitchen is under cover, wood block counters always feel good, and stainless steel is foolproof and ties nicely into a more commercial look that can go with either a modern or traditional design.
5. Incorporate Adequate Storage
Storage is great. Keeping everything organized and easily accessible makes your life better. Incorporating weather-resistant cabinets, drawers, and shelving into your design adds character and gives you a place for all your tools, dishware and accessories.
This saves you from constantly shuttling back and forth to the indoor kitchen.
When designing the storage, it’s important to consider the size and type of items to be stored and plan for various storage solutions, such as built-in cabinets under counters or freestanding units. Additionally, storage for fuel, such as propane tanks or wood for a grill or pizza oven, should be integrated into the design.
6. Choose the Right Appliances
A grill is typically the centerpiece of any outdoor kitchen. Do you prefer gas, wood, pellets, charcoal? There are benefits to any of these. It’s up to you do decide what works for your inner chef. Additional appliances, such as refrigerators, pizza ovens, side burners, or smokers, can be added depending what you’re into.
Needless to say, it’s important to choose appliances specifically designed for outdoor use, as they are built to withstand weather conditions and heavy use. Stainless steel appliances are a popular choice for their durability and resistance to rust. Iron, clay, cob or enamel can add character and have performance advantages.
7. Plan for Utilities and Lighting
An outdoor kitchen requires proper utility connections, such as gas, water, and electricity, to function efficiently. These utilities must be carefully planned in advance to avoid costly changes after construction begins.
You’ll need electricity set up for powering appliances, lights, and possibly outdoor entertainment systems. Gas lines are handy for grills or cooktops to save you needing to swap out propane tanks. There are ways around needing to plumb in your sinks, but building in water supply and drain pipes will make your life easier.
Lighting, as in all architecture, is a fundamental principle. Your lighting creates your atmosphere and your function. Task lighting, such as under-cabinet or overhead lights, gives you visibility for cooking, while ambient lighting creates a comfortable atmosphere for dining and socializing. Whether it’s classic string lights or sophisticated lighting and landscape design, this is a component you’ll want to embrace. Remember, you and your guests are going to be out there at night, in the dark. Your lighting design will make the party happen, or make everyone want to head inside after the sun sets.
8. Ventilation
Proper ventilation helps prevent smoke, heat, and odors from accumulating, especially in covered or semi-enclosed spaces. While outdoor environments generally offer good airflow, kitchens with structures like pergolas, awnings, or roofs still need additional ventilation systems. Installing a range hood over the grill or cooking area will help to capture smoke and grease, directing them away from the space.
This is important for health and for comfort. You can’t count on there being enough breeze to clear your air.
9. Consider Shelter and Shade Options
To maximize the usability of your outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to think about where and how to incorporate some shelter and shade options. Designing a covered area into your scheme gives you the ability to enjoy your space regardless of weather, and gives you peace of mind when planning parties. Some people even build in a screened porch to keep out bugs and pests while maintaining the outdoor experience.
These structures become part of your architecture, ideally, and physically tie your outdoor living to the design of your house. History has many precedents for how this can be done beautifully and timelessly.
If you’re in a colder climate, adding features like outdoor heaters or fire pits can extend the usability of the space into cooler months, making your outdoor kitchen a year-round asset.
10. Focus on Comfort and Entertainment
Make it comfortable. Make it fun. Make it a place you want to use, and you’ll find yourself out there all the time.
Provide seating areas, such as outdoor dining tables, bar stools, or lounge chairs, in whatever variety is appropriate. Set them up for gathering, for the views and for the overall flow of your events.
Do you want to interact with your guests while you’re working the grill? Set up a bar or lounge area that makes them comfortable without crowding your workspace.
Do you want to have your friends over to eat and watch the game? Or dance and listen to music? Or have the kids and friends sit out and watch movies? Build in an outdoor TV, sound system, projector, or even a fire pit.
Comfortable furniture, weather-resistant cushions, and cozy lighting will also encourage people to linger and enjoy the space. By focusing on both comfort and entertainment, the outdoor kitchen becomes more than just a place to cook—it becomes a focal point for leisure and enjoyment.
Conclusion
Designing an outdoor kitchen requires careful consideration of both practicality and aesthetics. There is a significant return on your investment when you start adding outdoor kitchens and living spaces. It can improve your real estate value, to be sure, but perhaps more importantly, give you spaces that you’ll love using, having people over, and getting everyone outside.
