Considering an Outdoor Kitchen? Here’s what you need to know…
Outdoor kitchens (commonly referred to as summer kitchens) are increasing in popularity. What better fun than an outdoor barbecue with friends and family? What better way to entertain than with a beautiful outdoor living space? From simple, to full scale highly customized designers, today’s outdoor kitchens are more much than the standard barbecue grill.
While outdoor kitchens are more commonly used year-round in warmer climates, such as Florida and California, manufacturers and kitchen designers are seeing an increase in popularity and sales in many of the northern states as well, as home owners want to enjoy the outdoors no matter how long the season.
Differences in indoor vs outdoor kitchens
Believe it or not, outdoor kitchens can be as complex as a full-service kitchen, with all the luxuries you would expect to have in your indoor kitchen. In addition to a large outdoor grill, a top of the line outdoor kitchen could include such items as: stainless steel cabinetry, refrigerator, wine cooler, ice maker, warming drawer, side burner, exhaust hood, bartender sink, under-mounted sink, dishwasher, and even more to impress a pizza oven, a beer tap or a smoker ceramic grill (called the “EGG”). Many more amenities can be purchased to customize your outdoor kitchen, depending on your budget.
Just like the inside of your home, an outdoor kitchen is a reflection of your own personal taste. Creating an outdoor kitchen may provide more freedom as bold designs that you may not have even considered using in your house might be perfect for outdoors. These designs, colors and styles you were too afraid to have inside may come to life when under consideration for outdoors.
One way to achieve that “WOW” effect is to create an outdoor hearth as the centerpiece for your outdoor kitchen. This involves building in a dramatic hood fan or chimney style centerpiece, and a large gas, electric or charcoal type grill. The more sleeker type of stainless steel hoods made by companies like Viking, Vent-a-hood, Best, Wagner, Zephir and DCS, and grills made by companies like Alfesco, Lynx, DCS, Viking, Coyote, Wolf are definitely make a statement, and work to create an outdoor kitchen that is truly a state-of-the-art.
Counter top options are broad when it comes to outdoor kitchens. Surfaces such as granite, concrete, tiles, stone and also solid surface materials as Dekton are getting very popular. Whatever material you select, be sure it meets the challenges of your usage and the environment.
What to consider when designing your outdoor kitchen
Although some of the indoor challenges disappear when designing an outdoor kitchen, some of the standard choices do not. When in the planning stage, you really need to approach your project like a regular kitchen. Consider:
- Where is your work space?
- Where will you prepare items?
- Have you created a “work triangle”?
- Where are you going to store items for outside?
- Do you need water and/or electric?
- What size refrigerator or cooling unit is needed?
According to many real estate experts, the return on investment on kitchens, indoors and outdoors, has dramatically increased over the past few years. Depending on the complexity of your design, as well as on your local market, you can likely count on a good return on your investment.
As always, the most important factor in determining what is best for you and your home is evaluating your needs and the needs of your family. But, when it comes to being comfortable and enjoying your friends, family, home and the surrounding environment, an outdoor kitchen can certainly be a great addition.
Check out the hottest trends
You can see the hottest trends in kitchen and bath remodeling at the Allied Kitchen and Bath luxury showroom located 616 W. Oakland Park Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, where the company has been based since 1984. Celebrating over 33 years in the business.
In addition, Allied has recently opened its newest second showroom, 5,000 square foot, state-of-the-art showroom, located 3484 NE 12 Ave, Oakland Park, Fl, featuring some of the most beautiful and luxurious outdoor kitchens, contemporary indoors kitchens, laundry and closet displays, appliances and so much more.
For more information on the new showroom call (954) 564-1611 or e-mail Bill Feinberg at bill@Alliedkitchenandbath.com.
