Designing Outdoor Kitchens

Currently, homeowners are more focused on upgrading their outdoor spaces due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Consequently, outdoor kitchens are now becoming popular backyard features. Outdoor kitchens not only boost the aesthetics of your property but also provide great functionality. With these features, you can host barbecue parties and create a mini-staycation with your family in your backyard. Even so, it would be best if you incorporated some design tips when installing such kitchens.

Always begin with the grill 

The first thing to do would be to install a grill. Today, there is a wide range of grills in the market. So, always select a grill that meets all your requirements. Once you purchase the grill, look for a suitable position to place it. Position the grill in such a way you have a large cooking area.

Analyze all four outdoor kitchen zones 

Large outdoor kitchens often have dry, hot, wet, and cold zones. Hot zones often comprise cooktops, pizza ovens, among other cooking areas. Cold zones incorporate fridges and refrigerators. The wet zone is the sink area, and the dry zone is the countertop areas. When homeowners design an outdoor kitchen, they have to ensure that all four zones complement each other.

All in all, the outdoor kitchen design should make meal preparation and cooking easier. Also, you have to consider all the activities taking place in your outdoor space. For instance, if you have a pool, place the fridge close to it. 

Different sizes of outdoor kitchens

As mentioned earlier, there is a wide range of outdoor kitchens. So, the kitchens come in different sizes, designs, and shapes. Generally, there are small, essentials, medium, and large kitchens. Each of these requires a different countertop frontage space. The one you settle for often depends on the size of your outdoor space and your needs.

Countertop and landing areas

One of the major disadvantages of outdoor kitchens is that they have limited countertop space. More often than not, outdoor kitchens are way smaller than indoor kitchens. Additionally, only a few backyard spaces can accommodate large outdoor kitchen designs. It would be best to offer these kitchens with multiple landing areas. These sections allow users to have more meal preparation areas hence making their work easier. When designing these kitchens, don’t make the mistake of removing one or two landing areas. Your clients need these areas. Also, avoid placing sinks and grills at the furthest end of the counter. Ensure there are landing areas next to the grill and sink.

Estimated landing-area dimensions for outdoor kitchens 

• There should be 12 inches of landing area next to the grill and at least 24 inches on the other side of the grill.
• Cooktops should have at least 12 inches of open counter space next to them on each side. Nonetheless, if you have a combined grill and cooktop, use the grill measurement recommendations.
• A sink should have a landing area of 18 inches on each of its sides.
• Provide at least 24 inches of open counter space next to one side of a pizza oven and 12 inches on the other side.
• For kegs, ensure you provide 12 inches of landing area on each side.
• If the outdoor kitchen has an under-counter refrigerator or fridge, there should be at least 15 inches landing area above it.

Outdoor kitchen storage space 

A good percentage of homeowners always prefer having an all-inclusive outdoor kitchen. The outdoor kitchens should have enough space to store utensils and cooking equipment. This will help them save space in their indoor kitchens. So, it is always advisable to design these kitchens with large permanent storage space.

Additionally, outdoor kitchens should be able to withstand all harsh external conditions. Remember, there is more moisture and humidity outside that can lead to rusting. So, the kitchens have to be waterproof and weather-tight to keep all the items stored inside safe.

Also, note that the most suitable storage space often depends on the size of the outdoor kitchen. The smaller the kitchen, the lesser the maximum storage space.

Outdoor kitchen seating areas

When designing an outdoor kitchen, it is important to consider all the seating areas. Think of the lounge, bar, and dining areas. Find a way to create all these seating areas close to the outdoor kitchen. Remember, you want to pass food to your family or guests over the kitchen counter. However, note that the seating space often depends on your outdoor kitchen’s size and the space available in your backyard. But generally, the seating should provide enough space for your knees below the table. Also, seats should not block any passageways in your backyard.

Outdoor kitchens expand your business 

From this article, it is clear to see that outdoor kitchens are popular among most homeowners. Therefore, if you want to grow your business, try selling these spectacular features. In turn, you can help homeowners upgrade their backyards. These backyard features will also help you attract a larger clientele. Nevertheless, ensure that your outdoor kitchens provide excellent functionality.