Planning Your Patio with an Outdoor Kitchen

When it comes to cooking, most of the meals you’d typically make inside can also be cooked in an outdoor kitchen. Most people believe they need an extensive, state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen to cook the meals they really want to make. But the truth is, no matter how small or how large, how basic or complex, an outdoor kitchen can make cooking fun. Here are some tips for designing a patio with an outdoor kitchen. 

Assess the Available Space

Before you do anything, it’s important to evaluate your current outdoor space. If you live on a sprawling lot with lots of acreages, your challenge might be making sure you don’t have to walk too far from the house to use your outdoor kitchen. If you live on a smaller plot of land, you want to make sure that everything you want to do for your outdoor kitchen will fit inside the available space and flow nicely. 

Plan How You Will Use the Outdoor Kitchen 

One of the most important steps in planning your outdoor kitchen is understanding your cooking style and how you intend to use it. Knowing those two things will lay the groundwork for what your outdoor kitchen is supposed to look like. Do you like to grill your fish or prefer hamburgers cooked over a charcoal grill? Do you want to make pizza in an outdoor brick oven? Take some time to determine how you would like to use your outdoor kitchen before you start designing. 

Set a Budget

Make a budget and work within it. Essentials such as materials, appliances, and labor can easily become expensive, so always be sure to have additional funds available in case the project costs more than anticipated. Unexpected costs for your outdoor patio with a kitchen can include design services, permits, purchasing tools, and hiring professional help for add-ons. 

Weatherproof Your Outdoor Kitchen 

There are plenty of options when it comes to weatherproofing your patio with an outdoor kitchen. You can use weatherproof floorings, such as brick and stone, you can erect a canopy, and can even cover your outdoor kitchen when you aren’t using it. However you decide to weatherproof your outdoor kitchen, just be sure that your method protects your patio and equipment so that it can last for many years to come.

Use Intentional Lighting

Lighting is a powerful tool. It has the power to highlight, minimize, expand, set the tone, and so much more. For your patio with an outdoor kitchen, use strategic lighting to set the tone you want and highlight various aspects of your outdoor kitchen. You can use tiki torches, recessed lighting, string lights, and so much more to light up your patio and outdoor kitchen. 

A MD Patio Builder

The experienced builders at North American Deck and Patio are here to turn your vision into reality. With over 25 years of experience, we can transform your existing patio into a well-designed patio with an outdoor kitchen. If you’re looking to build a patio from the ground up with an outdoor kitchen, we can help with that too.

Contact us today to request a FREE consultation.

“Jim at North American patio and deck's came up with the most ingenious way of utilizing our small very slanted very water drained environment and turned it into a virtual oasis. Making this deck the envy of all our ambitions and gem for the community.”

– C. Cross