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Building Your Outdoor Kitchen: 5 Tips - Outdoor Kitchen NJ
Coupled with a pool, an outdoor kitchen can boost your fun factor and make you the best house on the block. Make sure your kitchen is too!
It’s time to maximize your backyard with a gorgeous yet functional outdoor kitchen. Coupled with a pool, an outdoor kitchen can boost your fun factor and make you the best house on the block. Make sure your kitchen is stylish as well as functional for added versatility, value and fun for the outdoor space. Here are five tips to keep in mind.
- Choose location wisely: Simple research and planning will help you avoid problems later on. Don’t place your grill too close to the home. This is a fire hazard but also the smoke from your cooking can waft into the main living area. Place the kitchen area relatively close to the back door of your home if you frequently entertain. You don’t want to have to travel long distances to bring out food, cook and chat with guests. Separate your kitchen visually from the pool area with a decorative retaining wall.
- Come up with a layout: Building the foundation for your outdoor kitchen starts with a layout and plan for your flooring. Consider the weather, weight of the appliances you plan to install, and usage. For example, if you have a pool and lots of foot traffic, keep in mind that tile and marble flooring can get very slippery when wet. They also don’t tolerate grease or food stains well.
- Consider your appliances: The size of your appliances will determine how big your kitchen will be. Love to cook and prep in front of your guests? Put plenty of counters next to your grilling station. It’s also a good idea to stagger the heights of your counters for various purposes and for visual appeal: one for prep, one for eating, and one for standing and resting a drink on.
- Bring in the ambiance: Not only should your outdoor kitchen be beautiful, it should also be welcoming to guests. Extend the comforts of the indoors outside, with cozy patio furniture, chairs, couches and plenty of seating for dinner time. Add specialty lighting that’s easily adjusted for mood and tasks, and try adding a water feature such as a fountain or small pond. For watching the big game or a family movie night, add a flat screen TV in the kitchen area.
- Have plenty of storage: To keep clutter at bay and make it easier to find what you need, be sure to incorporate plenty of storage for your outdoor kitchen. From counter tops to cabinets, it’s important to select materials wisely; make sure they are waterproof with the ability to withstand wild temperature changes.
The goal of your outdoor kitchen is to create a safe, comfortable space to relax and entertain – for all members of your family and friends. A pool would go great with an outdoor kitchen! For that, turn to Central Jersey Pools.
