Unfortunately, most people’s yards are criminally underused. This can be for a number of reasons, but what it boils down to is poor planning. You need to tailor your yard to your preferences and capabilities. For the most part, extending your living space from the interior of your home to your yard can help to ensure that you will get more use out of it. This is precisely why outdoor kitchens have become so popular. Outdoor kitchens and other outdoor living remodels are entirely possible for people; you simply need to tailor your efforts to your yard, budget and preferences. Read on to learn more.
A Background on Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens have seen an uptick in recent years. They were solely reserved for the wealthy in the past, and this is why a lot of people still consider them to be inaccessible because they are still arguably, more commonly, found in luxurious homes and sprawling mansions. However, the tide is turning with more and more ‘normal’ households choosing to have an outdoor kitchen installed. They are great, especially if you live in an area with more sunshine and milder weather. It allows you to take dining alfresco to another level; in addition to eating outside, you can also prepare and cook the food outside too.
Design Advice
Designing an outdoor kitchen for your yard will be a unique process because it will depend on the size of your yard, your design style and how much you have to spend. As a word of advice before we get into the design tips, if you want to pull off something like an outdoor kitchen, it would make sense to collaborate with a business like Beattie Development and Beattie Home Services. They can help you to achieve the outdoor kitchen or outdoor living area that you have envisioned, and that it has been done to a high standard and all safety regulations have been adhered to.
Weather Proofing
One of the first things that you will need to consider when it comes to designing your outdoor kitchen is the local weather. Regardless of whether you have warm sunny weather year round or not, it still might be worth considering having a cover or some sort of protective structure installed around your outdoor kitchen. It helps to protect everything from the elements and can make it more comfortable to use year-round too. Depending on your budget, you could even choose a retractable gazebo which provides cover when you want it and can be retracted when you don’t. Obviously, this will be an expense that you need to factor into your budget.
In terms of weatherproofing, you should also consider the materials that you want to use in the construction of your outdoor kitchen too. Being outside, they are bound to be left open to the elements in one way or another, which means that you need to consider the longevity of the materials. Natural materials tend to fare well; you can also look into weatherproofing for specific materials. In terms of the design, you will want to think about what materials will allow you to extend your interior design aesthetic outside.
Light & Heat
The next thing that you might want to consider is whether or not you will need to install any form of lighting or heating. If you live in an area that cools down and gets dark during the evenings, then it might be worth considering. There are a number of options; you can have an exterior heater installed or perhaps a fire pit which would provide a focal point to the outdoor kitchen, allow you to entertain and even give you the option to cook over an open flame. Lighting is pretty easy. An outdoor kitchen will need to be wired anyway, so adding lighting is pretty straightforward. You can also choose to add some string lights to add a bit of personality to the space.
Storage and Layout
Lastly, this will need to be something that you work out with your contractor, depending on the size of your yard and how big your outdoor kitchen will be. The layout is important. An outdoor kitchen will likely not have everything that your indoor kitchen has, but it does need to be able to house the basics. You need to be able to safely store your outdoor cooking equipment because otherwise, they will be at the mercy of the elements and, therefore, more likely to be ruined or compromised by the weather. The layout needs to be maximized for functionality and practicality.
To Conclude
Constructing an outdoor kitchen is a great way to increase your living space and give you more options for entertaining and socializing. By planning well and collaborating with a contractor, you can ensure that you have made the most out of your space, regardless of the size of your yard. You need to consider the practicalities of installing the appliances and building an outdoor kitchen. Remember to come up with a budget and stick to it, although an outdoor kitchen can also help to increase the value of your home.
