5 Tips to Design your Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

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Checklist to Design your Perfect Outdoor Kitchen.

Designing an Outdoor Kitchen needs some thought and planning. With over 200 projects completed, these are the best tips for your Outdoor kitchen design. 

1. Think about how you will use your space

Try to visualise how you intend to use your Outdoor Kitchen and ask yourself lots of questions. A great start is; How often will I be using my Outdoor Kitchen? This will determine what inclusions you require and the space you need and get you thinking more about detail. You may only be using it to entertain large family gatherings, or you may want the experience of cooking outdoors on a more regular basis. If it is a standard 3-4 times a week event, where will you store all your utensils and items? What is the proximity of the indoor kitchen?Line Drawing- Outdoor Kitchen

Will I need a sink or dishwasher to make the space self-sufficient? All great questions, and the more you ask yourself, the better prepared you will be. A great resource to start your journey is our Outdoor Kitchen Design Checklist.

2. Services and Connections

We are ranking this consideration highly as it is often overlooked. Whilst not as glamourous as appliances, material finishes and colour choices, the position and access to your services is a critical component of your Outdoor Kitchens design and function. If you are building or renovating, please consult your Outdoor Kitchen designer early in the early stages. Plans can then be made to put your gas, plumbing and electrical in the correct positions. 

Dekton Kelya Benchtop Sink Cover

If renovating an existing space, considerations will need to be made on moving services to the required area. You will also need to engage a professional to ensure existing services can handle the inclusions you are putting into your design. Older gas lines may need upgrading, and electrical points moved to a more convenient location. Please do not skip over this detail, as it will save you potential pain and cost to get it right from the outset.

3. BBQ Selection

Your Barbeque is the centrepiece of your functional Outdoor Kitchen and, as such, needs to perform, but don't forget looks. A custom-built Outdoor Kitchen is a value-adding piece of joinery and needs to look good and complete. It will add considerable value to your home and last many years. The BBQ needs to do the same, so do not compromise on the heart and soul. Let's face it; some BBQs are ugly to look at, so have some consideration for the aesthetic. Here is also where you need to think hard about your cooking habits.

Do you need a combination of a solid plate and grill? Is the BBQ set up to take a rotisserie? What are the dimensions of the cooking surfaces? Will this be enough for your more significant events? We will go into BBQ selection in more detail in future blog posts; however, as vain as it sounds, put some value in getting an eye-pleasing unit. The overall look of your space will depend on it.

4. Storage

Your Outdoor Kitchen will have cabinets. Think about what you want to store outside to make your Outdoor Kitchen even more functional. Many inserts for storing various items are available. Integrated waste systems, pull out shelving, and cutlery inserts are popular items. Having the proper internal storage will mean that everything you need to be the greatest entertainer on your block will be organised and at your fingertips.

However, drawers are popular and can be a bit more costly than doors, so think about how many drawers you require and engage an Outdoor Kitchen designer to give you options and a solution.

 Hettich Push to Open Drawer System

5. Comfort

If you will be using your Outdoor Kitchen regularly, and why wouldn't you, then a comfortable cooking environment is essential. Once again, the questions you ask yourself will entirely depend on your requirements and space. If the sun is a problem, you might want to consider some decorative screening or even aluminium louvres for shelter. If you are more exposed, consideration should be given to some pergola or awning system.

An excellent Outdoor Kitchen specialist will have affiliate businesses that will be able to help with related items such as these. A range hood is a must in more enclosed environments to clear excessive grease and smoke. A BBQ generates a large amount of heat compared to an indoor cooktop. A range hood will need to be a semi-commercial unit capable of moving a minimum of 2000m3 of air per hour. It will require heavy-duty filters and quality internal parts.

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 Please check out our blog page for project inspiration and more information regarding everything outdoor Kitchens. 

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