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While you're
cooking up outdoor kitchen ideas, consider these
elements to make the most of your cookout
dreams.
Let's get cooking!
The most basic outdoor
kitchen can be done with just a grill.
But to really enjoy
entertaining friends and family under a canopy of sky,
you should be looking at outdoor kitchen ideas that
include:
- Functional layout
- Well-equipped grill
- Dry storage
- Cold storage
- Temporary storage
- Food prep area
- Counter space
- Island
- Clean up area
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Fabulous flooring
- Comfortable fresh-air dining
nook
If the occasional grilled steak eaten alone
in front of the TV is your ideal, then a hibachi, some tongs,
and a slab of concrete near the door is probably all
the outdoor kitchen you need.
But if you are determined to boost the value of
your home while creating a vacation destination in your
own backyard, then upgrade!
A full-service outdoor kitchen will be the place
where your family gathers for conversation and daily
meals.
The kids will settle in to do
homework, eat a quick snack, and play games in the
evenings.
And on weekends, you'll entertain friends with
beverages and the sight of you experimenting with something
beyond burgers and grilled chicken.
It will be fabulous!
Exposure

An outdoor kitchen with a northern exposure will
be a cool, shady outdoor room -- maybe too cool and shady.
Another exposure may have your outdoor kitchen
too hot.
Either way, this is your chance to experiment
with different locations, erect a pergola or gazebo, or express yourself with
sunshades, awnings, umbrellas, sunbrellas, and climbing
vines.
Shelter

Pergolas and gazebos for
shelter are great outdoor kitchen ideas that pack lots of
visual punch and won't close you in.
For more intimacy, consider enclosing the kitchen
on three sides, leaving one open to the air.
Weatherizing

Use materials in your outdoor kitchen that can
withstand the changing weather in your area.
Cedar, teak, slate, and flagstone are all
weather-worthy.
Shut off water lines before winter sets in.
And cover outdoor kitchen appliances with canvas
or plastic covers.
Functionality

Tackle outdoor kitchen ideas and design the same way
that you would an indoor cook zone -- lots of planning and
attention to detail.
With the added elements of rainfall, temperature
swings, and changing light conditions it's best not to
take shortcuts.
What you want is an outdoor space that
blends all the amenities of your indoor kitchen --
but with a better view.
View

That brings us to your outdoor kitchen view --
from within the house and in your outdoor kitchen.
As you look for outdoor kitchen ideas, spend
some time thinking about how to hide the kitchen uglies
like trash cans and gas canisters, while bringing attention to
the artful elements.
Continuity

Consider siting your
outdoor kitchen with easy access to your indoor kitchen. Who
wants to traipse dishes, condiments and such 125 feet from the
house?
But don't place the grill too close to the house
or eating areas. The smoke will drive guests off and
the heat could pose a fire hazard.
Be sure to check fire safety and building codes
as you work out the outdoor kitchen plans.
Ambiance

Dining alfresco puts everyone at ease. That's
part of its charm.
Just let your lifestyle and personality guide
the ambiance. It will be fabulous!
Use neutral colors for a natural look. And weave
in a single accent color throughout.
Tie it all together colorful fabrics, glassware,
napkins, and eating utensils and appliances.
Infuse calm throughout your entire outdoor
space with unique wind
chimes, solar bird
baths, solar garden
fountains and a little jazz.
Lighting
With all the attention on outdoor kitchen
designs, grills, and storage, it's easy to forget about
outdoor kitchen
lighting.
But don't. You'll need good outdoor lighting for safety and
for nightlife appeal.
So keep lighting in mind as you dream up outdoor
kitchen ideas. That way, you'll naturally leverage the variety
of lighting options as your outdoor kitchen design evolves.
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