5 SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGNS

1. SHINE SOME LIGHT.

The design of the lighting is essential for any outdoor kitchen. You want just enough illumination to see what you're doing without ruining the mood. Consider using pendant lighting to give your outdoor kitchen an interior feel. A soft, textured light will be added by brick wall-mounted low-voltage hardscape lighting. Functionality will be improved by lighting inside cabinets and next to cooking surfaces. When connected to a switch-controlled circuit, string lights can offer a festive touch. Keep in mind that string lights made for commercial use are frequently dimmable. As a general rule, design all of your lighting before you install your kitchen so that you can run all of the wiring, outlets, and switches upfront rather than having to retrofit. Always incorporate a few overhead outlets in your design in case you decide to add holiday lights in the future.

2. CONSIDER THE LONG TERM.

The main thing to keep in mind when using an outdoor kitchen is that everything is outside. Make sure to pick things that are made to withstand the elements and robust building materials. Yes, there are occasions when that entails paying a little more up front, but since everything lasts longer, the money will ultimately go further. Additionally, you should get covers for exposed equipment and seal any porous surfaces to protect your investment.

3. READ THE FINE PRINT. SOMETIMES BIGGER IS BETTER.

Make plans based on how you intend to use the area. Bar-sized sinks save counter space and work well for hand washing and glass rinsing. However, it might be wiser to install a typical kitchen sink if you genuinely intend to rinse a platter or fill a pitcher. Read the specifications carefully before buying appliances like grills, refrigerators, and ice makers. Not all measures correspond to cubic feet of usable space. Additionally, ice depletes quickly, so check to see if the unit you acquire can keep up with your production demands. Roll-top beverage coolers carry a lot more cans and bottles than a typical counter-height refrigerator if you intend to entertain frequently. That is precisely the reason bars and restaurants use them.

4. YOU”LL NEED MORE ROOM THAN YOU THINK.

You'll probably wish you had more prep room, outdoor seating area, storage space, or cooking space at the end of the day. During the planning stage, it might be challenging to visualize the finished area. However, working with an American Paving Design sales representative can help you visualize your space with a 3D drawing of your area.

5. THINK AHEAD.

First of all, outlets are a necessary evil. Someone is constantly attempting to plug in anything, be it a laptop, lamp, charger, blender, or streaming gadget. There should be USB ports on some of those outlets as well. Additionally, consider any future additions you might want to make to your kitchen. It's not a bad idea to install a natural gas line, even if you merely cap it for the time being, even if you don't currently plan to consume any gas. You never know when you might wish to install a high intensity burner, an outdoor heater, or a fire feature. It's annoying to have to replace butane tanks all the time, and upgrading for natural gas afterwards can be expensive.