Turn your outdoor living area into a space where you can enjoy dining alfresco with the addition of an outdoor kitchen. This feature allows you and your friends and family to enjoy a casual snack or an elaborate meal while surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Flooring
When designing your outdoor kitchen, one of the first elements to select is the flooring as it will set the stage for the space and the remaining elements are built upon it. Choose a material that will withstand the wear and tear of the elements and high traffic and will also add to the look you wish to achieve. Brick is a sturdy material and will give youroutdoor kitchen a rustic vibe. Natural materials, such as travertine or river rock, present a natural look and are quite durable.
Overhead Structure
An overhead structure enables you to use your outdoor kitchen even when the sun is blazing and the rain is pouring. Install a permanent or retractable awning over the space. Insert a series of large umbrellas into the ground that you can open and close as needed to allow you and your guests to enjoy the sun and stars when desired. If possible, build a ceiling with tongue-and-groove planks that extend from your existing roof line or that is supported by pillars built into the ground.
Counters
Counters are necessary in an outdoor kitchen for the same reason they are necessary in an indoor kitchen--to provide a surface to store things and prepare food on. Give your kitchen a cohesive look by using the same material you used on the floor--brick, travertine or river rock, for example. Granite is another option to give your kitchen a luxurious look, but it is also very resilient. A countertop made of recycled glass mixed with concrete is another attractive and sturdy choice for the space.
Appliances
Appliances are what make a kitchen a kitchen. For an outdoor kitchen, the grill is the main cooking element. You can choose anything from a built-in, state-of-the-art, commercial-grade grill to a smaller charcoal barbecue. An outdoor kitchen is an ideal space to install a brick oven or a wood burning stove. You can also include a gas cooktop to use to boil pots of water for corn and pasta or for pan-sauteing and searing.
Furnishings
Furnishings make your outdoor kitchen usable and comfortable. A table and chairs made of aluminum, wrought iron or wood provide a spot to enjoy cooked meals. Fans installed overhead or placed on the ground keep the area cool. Pendant lights, torches and candles illuminate the space. You can even lay a rug made of jute or another material that can stand up to the sun and rain to soften the room.
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