If you’re looking at your backyard trying to come up with the perfect layout for an outdoor kitchen, the possible combinations can be a little overwhelming. But there are some design concepts that apply to every outdoor kitchen build that can make these decisions easier.
At Marlowe’s We Care, our team can help you achieve your vision of the ideal outdoor kitchen by keeping things practical and making sure the features and design work together to create a stylish, functional space.
What’s the Purpose of the Outdoor Kitchen?
This may seem like a weird question, but there are actually two types of outdoor kitchens. One is a satellite kitchen, and the other is called a fully independent kitchen. What it boils down to is that with a satellite kitchen, some things are prepared or finished in the home’s indoor kitchen. Just like the name implies, an independent outdoor version can prep, refrigerate, has a sink, dry storage, and do everything else it needs to function on its own.
From a design perspective, satellite kitchens should probably be closer to the house for convenience and easy access to appliances. While an independent kitchen can be anywhere, it requires more specialty items and needs to have plenty of prep space, which is almost always more than you would think. No matter where it’s located, a good design should provide enough countertop space for prepping and serving food while keeping cooking supplies handy.
Look at Design from a Practical Standpoint
When designing an outdoor kitchen, it’s easy to get carried away by including all the bells and whistles such as a boiling water tap or even a dishwasher. At Marlowe’s We Care, we tell our clients that one of the key things to remember when designing outdoor kitchens is to be practical. Also, ask yourself what the purpose of the space is – are you cooking casually for the family or hosting fancy barbeques?
One of the biggest influences on design is your budget. This means starting by covering essential items before going for the expensive add-ons. Sourcing products from different vendors can make your money go further, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality for savings. Our team can help you find the right balance between price and performance.
Consider Access to Utilities
When you’re making decisions about the features of an outdoor kitchen, it’s critical to look the types of utilities that are needed. Will they require plumbing and water, electrical wiring, a gas line?
Remember that the location of the outdoor kitchen and the equipment you want to use will be a big factor in installing the utilities. Is there landscaping, a patio, shed, or a pool that could create an obstacle? Sometimes even structural changes to the yard are needed to keep the cooking area level and allow necessary lines to be run to the outdoor kitchen.
When it comes to outdoor kitchen utilities, there are also questions to answer about variables, including natural gas pressure, whether bulk propane is an option, the BTU capacity of the equipment, and whether you’ll want hot water on tap.
Let’s Get Your Outdoor Kitchen Cooking in Yorktown VA, Hampton Roads At Marlowe’s We Care, our team are experts at outdoor kitchen design, and we’re ready to work with you to create an ideal space for you to enjoy with friends and family. We collaborate with clients throughout the entire process and can build a beautiful, functional outdoor kitchen generally within a two-day timeframe. If you’re ready to take your outdoor cooking to the next level, contact us today!
