The popularity of outdoor kitchens has taken off in recent years and for good reason! With our long outdoor season here in Texas, the option of cooking and eating outdoors maximizes your home’s functional space and brings the option of easily dining al fresco at your own home.

The options for designing and building your own outdoor kitchen are seemingly endless. Here are a few things you’ll want to consider when creating your outdoor cooking and dining space:

What design elements and amenities are on your must-have list?

When you think of cooking, dining, and entertaining outdoors, what do you envision?  A small, intimate gathering with a few close friends and family?  Or a larger get-together with a large family, a church or community group, or your kids’ teammates and friends?  Depending on the number of people you intend to entertain, you may consider the size of the cooking surface, the number of seats your area may accommodate, the space available for food prep and presentation, and if a patio or ground surface needs an update or extension.

You may also want to consider the availability of shade or sunshine depending on the season in which you plan to utilize the area and adjust the space with overhead structures or sunshades, landscaping clean-up to allow sunshine in, or fans and other types of air moving devices to utilize in warmer months.  The sky is the limit on design elements, but that also leads us to the next consideration on the list…

What is your budget?

After you’ve determined which amenities and design elements are most important, you can begin to choose your materials.  Flooring options, if needed, can include gravel, poured patio or decking, stone pavers, or tiles.  A covered overhead area may range from a sunshade to an entire structure that weathers both direct sun and rain.  Appliances for the cooking area can range in size and durability, so as with any project, research is the name of the game! Prior planning and prioritization of amenities can lead to great results without breaking the bank.

Dine al fresco without leaving home.

Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a home outdoor kitchen is the convenience of an elevated dining experience without leaving home.  Designing a convenient layout will encourage use of your outdoor space, so things to consider include:

• A Covered Route to the Cooking Area
  • If your outdoor kitchen is adjacent to the house on a covered porch, you don’t have to worry about traveling to and from your indoor and outdoor kitchens while cooking. If your outdoor kitchen is away from the house, consider a covered walkway to shelter from rain when moving to and from the cooking area.
• Food Prep and Serving Space
  • Designing adequate counterspace is vital when you’re doing outdoor food preparation. Just like an indoor kitchen, you’ll want space to prepare ingredients, set things down while cooking, and have enough space to set out your completed dishes so your family and friends can easily enjoy the meal.
• Appliances and Storage
  • The size and style of that cooktop is the chef’s choice, but one should be included in the outdoor kitchen. Have you also thought about including a small fridge to reduce trips into the house and keep ingredients and beverages cold while outdoors?  What about a prep sink for cleaning and keeping things tidy?  Will you need a freezer for ice or drawers for utensils and cooking tools?  Reducing the trips into the house will make the outdoor kitchen increasingly functional and appealing to use.

Increase your home’s resale value.

Every home project brings with it an expense that homeowners hope will be recovered through enjoyment of the completed project and potentially an increase in resale value when selling the home.  According to Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, outdoor kitchens boast an astonishing 100% return on investment when selling the home as long as the project is done with quality materials and workmanship.

Start updating your outdoor space now.

Whether or not you have an outdoor kitchen now or would like to install one in the future, your outdoor space can be maximized with great lawncare, updated landscaping, yard cleanup, and more!  Our team at Lawns & Sprinklers USA is available to help you increase the livability and beauty of your outdoor areas.  Call us today at (281) 549-6258 or contact us online for more information, to ask questions, or to set up an appointment.