Kitchen Design Site

The concept of an outdoor kitchen design has come a long way and more people are turning parts of their outside space into a second food preparation area.

An outdoor kitchen design can seem too pricey for many people, especially when a simple standalone barbeque is enough to satisfy their outdoor dining needs. However, by installing a proper kitchen unit, you can increase the value of your home and get your money back at the other end if you decide to sell.

Outdoor kitchen design - the basics

If you've decided to go ahead with an outdoor kitchen design, there are three basic layouts that will maximise the space you have available.

Basic outdoor kitchen island

A basic island is perfect for the casual outdoor chef. It will, more often than not, include a grill, a sink and a small space to carry out simple food preparation. If you're working with a tight space and just want a simple integrated kitchen, then the basic island is definitely for you.

L-shaped outdoor island

The L-shaped kitchen island offers the same features as the basic island, but with more room for food preparation and an integrated bar for people to sit at. The downside is it takes up more space and costs quite a bit more than just a basic island. However, for the majority of people it is well worth the added expense.

U-shaped outdoor island

U shaped outdoor kitchen islands offer a bit of everything. They normally work with people sitting on the three sides with the grill in the middle. Not only does this save on space, but it also allows the person preparing the food to serve up straight from the grill. A U shaped outdoor kitchen design is compact, functional and looks great, so unsurprisingly is the most popular.

Positioning your outdoor kitchen

Every outdoor space is different meaning it is difficult to advise the best spot to install an outdoor kitchen. However, most people opt to install their units close to the house as it minimises the distance you have to carry things.

If you have an existing patio area then you might opt to install your outdoor kitchen there to reduce the cost of the project. Otherwise you have to consider laying the groundwork before you can install your outdor kitchen.

Outdoor kitchen design - choosing materials

Make sure you choose materials for your outdoor kitchen frame that can stand up to all weather conditions and won't become damaged by the elements.

Cinder Block is perhaps the best material for building the frame of your outdoor kitchen, simply because of how durable it is. Unfortunately though, it does take up a lot of space and isn't always particularly pleasing on the eye. Wood and steel are two possible alternatives.

We've listed more information on outdoor kitchen design below and can also divert you to some of the best online suppliers of outdoor kitchens currently available.

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