The plan is to have the kitchen area to the left of the fireplace, and a bar area to the right of the fireplace. They are also adding a pool in the backyard, so the outdoor living space will extend from this outdoor kitchen, to a dining area, and then the pool and possibly a firepit. My preliminary design includes creating symmetrical bar areas on either side of the fireplace, cabinetry using planked PVC board (like AZEK), and possibly replacing the brick pillars with columns.
Here's another view of the space, from the covered area:
They have plenty of space to include everything they want, namely:
1. Grill
2. Beverage Center / Undercounter refrigerator
3. Sink
4. Green smoker egg
5. Storage / cabinets for outdoor dinnerware, serving pieces
6. Workspace / serving area
Since outdoor kitchens have been on my brain lately, I thought i would share some of my thoughts pertaining to creating a kitchen in the great outdoors. You'll use many of the same basic guidelines to plan an outdoor kitchen as you would an indoor kitchen, however these are a few of the things that you really need to pay special attention to, first and foremost:
1. MATERIALS
Water is the enemy. And so is extreme heat, and cold, and bugs. Therefore you need to consider materials for the flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and sinks that will withstand these evils. For example, you will often see stainless steel used in outdoor kitchens. I think it looks a little industrial, but it is weather resistant and easy to clean. I would caution against using it on the countertops since it can get REALLY HOT if you have a kitchen that isn't covered. Another idea is to use MDO (Medium Density Overlaid), which is a pressure treated material that can be used like regular plywood. Weather-resistant woods like teak, fir, or spanish cedar would also be good choices for the cabinet fronts.
As far as countertops are concerned, there are lots of options. I prefer using concrete since it is durable, versatile, and can be fabricated to whatever size/shape desired. Other nice options are Soapstone or Slate. I also recently learned of a material called Basalt, which is a type of lava stone which looks very natural, as seen in this kitchen:
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| Image via House Beautiful |
2. SPACE
Think about the elements you want in the outdoor kitchen, and then determine the space you may need to accomodate these items. It is so important to have plenty of workspaces, as well as landing zones on either side of the grill and either side of the sink. The general rule of thumb is at least 18" on either side of the sink, and 12" on one side of the grill and 24" on the other. It's always nice to have a prep area or a serving area somewhere in the kitchen too.
There should be enough storage for the grill tools, charcoal, ligher fluid, mitts, serving platters, etc but you don't need nearly as much storage space in your outdoor kitchen as you do inside. You may want to consider having a set of outdoor dinnerware that is kept outdoors so the amount of stuff you have to bring from your indoor kitchen is kept at a minimum.
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| Image via House Beautiful |
3. BEAUTY
Last but not least, make your kitchen beautiful. Consider the beauty of your surroundings and position your kitchen so you can take advantage of a great view, or a secluded corner of your yard. Don't stop with just the kitchen - add decorative details just like you would indoors, including interesting planters, outdoor draperies, or candlelit chandeliers. Get creative with the materials or the layout. Use color and texture.
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| Image via House Beautiful |
I'll share drawings of my outdoor kitchen design project soon. In the meantime, I hope that my ideas will motivate you to get outside and start cooking!
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn
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