The right outdoor kitchen design can enhance your overall living and expand your indoor living space to the great outdoors. Known particularly for their entertainment value, outdoor living spaces can also be a place for the family to relax and unwind with the sights and sounds of nature close by.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most important design elements to think about when planning your outdoor kitchen design. Work with a design professional to put them into action and you’ll end up with an outdoor space your family can enjoy for years to come!
5 Factors to Consider In Your Outdoor Kitchen Design
1. Your outdoor kitchen should be in an ideal location for its intended use.
Many homeowners see their outdoor kitchen as an extension of their indoor living space. As such, the outdoor kitchen should be positioned where it can be easily accessed from inside. On the other hand, if you envision an outdoor living space that’s more of a pool-side food preparation and dining area, your outdoor kitchen space plan should reflect that.
In this Villa Park remodel, the homeowners opted to keep their outdoor kitchen separate from the outdoor seating area. It’s easily accessed from the home’s interior but includes plenty of useful features like informal bar seating, ample countertop space, and a built-in grilling station.
2. The ultimate outdoor kitchen design includes features you’ll use frequently.
To be completely honest, the options for outdoor kitchen design are almost endless! Popular features include barbeque grills, beverage coolers, full refrigerators, stovetops, wall ovens, pizza ovens, dishwashers, sinks, icemakers, and more. The elements YOU choose for your own kitchen should be based on how and when you’ll use the space.
This Mission Viejo kitchen is made for entertaining, with a built-in barbeque, television, lounging area, bar seating, and beverage center, among other features.
3. Decide whether your outdoor kitchen should be covered or uncovered.
Much of this decision will depend on where your outdoor kitchen is located, the type of climate where you live, and how you anticipate using the outdoor space. For example, if you live in a hot climate, you’ll likely appreciate some shade while you use the outdoor barbeque. On the other hand, if your outdoor kitchen is already shaded by nearby trees, you might opt for more of a pergola type enclosure.
This San Juan Capistrano California Room is not surrounded by concrete walls and shady trees. For those hot summer days, these homeowners opted for an outdoor living space that includes roof covering. This provides a little more shade and also a place to include a built-in heater for the cold winter nights when the time comes around, making this the ideal outdoor living space to enjoy all year long.
4. Incorporate durable but aesthetically pleasing materials in your outdoor kitchen design.
With their close proximity to outdoor elements, there’s no question that outdoor living spaces need to be built from and furnished with durable materials. And, depending on whether your outdoor kitchen is covered or not, it might actually be IN the outdoor elements.
Choose materials like granite or stacked stone that can withstand daily exposure to heat, humidity, wind, precipitation, or anything else your climate dictates. When you work with a professional designer, they can also help you choose materials that also match the overall style of your home. This way, your outdoor living space looks like a continuation of the inside, rather than an add-on that stands out.
This Rancho Santa Margarita outdoor kitchen and living area features stamped concrete decorative stones, granite, and marble throughout to add durability without sacrificing aesthetics.
5. Include features that promote outdoor comfort.
Here in southern California, homeowners are often able to use their outdoor kitchens for a good portion of the year, if not all of it. A good outdoor kitchen design takes this into consideration and includes features that will keep you comfortable regardless of the weather. Think ceiling fans for hot summer evenings and open wall areas to make the most of a coastal breeze. You can also plan for cooler winter time temperatures with a more protected seating area near the kitchen that features radiant heaters or a built-in fire pit or fireplace.
The Rancho Santa Margarita California room mentioned above features a gas fireplace for cooler temperatures as well as ceiling fans and open walls for warmer days.
Get the Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen Design With the Orange County Remodeling Experts
At Sea Pointe Design & Remodel, we’re committed to helping Orange County homeowners design and build beautiful, functional spaces both inside and out. Although we are based in Irvine, CA, we provide remodeling services throughout Orange County including Dana Point, Newport Beach, Coto de Caza, Lake Forest, San Clemente, and surrounding areas.
You can learn more about our work by browsing through our online portfolio of completed bathroom makeovers, kitchen renovations, and whole home remodels. Or, you can register for one of our upcoming remodeling webinars to learn helpful remodeling tips from the pros.
Then, when you’re ready to start planning your own outdoor kitchen design, simply give us a call at (949) 861-3400 or fill out the form below to schedule your complimentary design consultation.