As more people embrace the benefits of expanding their outdoor living footprint, they are putting an emphasis on convenience and comfort. This means having as many amenities outdoors as indoors to avoid frequent trips to the house. Here are tips on creating an outdoor kitchen that mirrors your indoor one in Manhasset, NY.
Anyone who loves to cook will appreciate a complete outdoor kitchen with the features that make the experience relaxed and pleasant, and there’s no reason to skimp on conveniences if you’re planning on spending a lot of time outdoors. Today’s outdoor living spaces are just as sophisticated and well-designed as indoor spaces. For some, this can include specific appliances such as a wine cooler, four-burner cooktop and warming trays. However, when designing an outdoor kitchen you will love to use, the main focus will likely be on everyday convenience that centers around how you actually cook and what you need.
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Appliances
Invest in appliances you will actually use. Take a look around your indoor kitchen and take inventory. What do you actually use on a regular basis? This will help you make the best choices for outdoor cooking. If you enjoy the occasional pizza but don’t bake much otherwise, you could install a wood-fired pizza oven rather than a full range/oven combination. A pizza oven is an instant hit with everyone, and it can serve double duty as a bread oven or even a way to make fire-roast vegetables. Depending on the type of grilling you enjoy, you may want a smoker, spit, or a conventional grill.
Storage
One of the biggest challenges with outdoor cooking is having to make multiple trips to the house for spices, cooking utensils, serving dishes, cutlery, beverages, etc. Even a tiny outdoor kitchen can be made more appealing if there’s enough storage for everything you would use on an everyday basis. With this in mind, take another inventory of your indoor kitchen, identify the items you use often, and duplicate them outdoors. Most outdoor kitchen storage is under-counter to avoid blocking views. However, if you can sacrifice one view from your outdoor kitchen (for example, a view of the garage or the neighbor’s yard) then installing a taller wall with weather-resistant cabinetry will give you all the storage you need. Other storage options include seating walls.
Comfort
Indoor kitchens don’t typically have a fireplace, but nothing makes an outdoor kitchen feel cozier than open fire. Whether you opt for an outdoor fire, fire pit or fire table, the kitchen area will become even more inviting.
Seating is essential around any kitchen. Whether you enjoy more formal dining around a table, or you prefer to serve your guests at a bar or fire table, make sure there’s enough seating for your everyday needs. When it comes to parties, a seating wall can’t be beat for aesthetic appeal and functionality.
Indoor cooking isn’t affected by weather, but nature doesn’t always cooperate and can derail your outdoor entertaining plans. A pergola shades the kitchen (and even the dining area) from the hot sun, and a pavilion will give you protection from the elements. If you’re considering installing a pavilion, be sure to add a couple of outdoor-rated ceiling fans to help dissipate the heat that builds up around the cooking area.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating an existing outdoor kitchen, be sure that your focus is on functionality first—that you have the same conveniences that you enjoy indoors—so that your new alfresco cooking space is a joy to be in!
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