Outdoor Kitchens: Creating a 5 Star Experience in the backyard
For those of us who choose to live in New England, the four seasons and constantly
changing weather make us a resilient bunch and we know how to maximize our
time in the sun. It is the short but hot summer season that allows us to shed our
winter coats and bask in the glory of summer. With memories of the long cold
winter, we will find any excuse to be outside and this includes cooking.
Few things are as fun or delicious as cooking on the grill and sharing a meal with
family and friends outdoors. While outdoor grills are a staple of New England life,
many of us are choosing to enhance our cooking options with full appliance outdoor
kitchens complete with bars, state of the art grills, ice makers, etc. If you have such
an outdoor space, you know how it is a magnet for people. If you don’t have an
outdoor kitchen, this blog will educate you on the value of outdoor kitchens, how
they are designed and specific things to consider when building one.
The beauty of outdoor kitchens is that they are outside. This means that not only
does this have the ability to draw people away from the confines of the indoor world
but allows you to keep people outside having fun near the pool, patio, fire pit and
outdoor courts. My clients appreciate the ability to keep their interior houses clean
and mess free. Kids in dripping bating suits and spilled drinks are kept outside
where no harm is done. Grilled food that would rival any restaurant is smoky and
hot and completely outside. Patios and open areas allow many more family
members and friends to be part of the process of cooking and conversation around
the grille. The pool is steps away and everyone is having a great time.
Each outdoor kitchen is unique and is designed to meet the specific needs of its
owners. Some clients want a simple built in grill and outdoor outlets for a blender
while other clients want a fully appliance kitchen with high end components and
multi-level granite surfaces for bar area and food prep. Regardless of cost and
scope, each outdoor kitchen starts with a conversation.
In this conversation between designer and client, we will discuss the following:
Who will be the primary chef of this kitchen? Husband, wife, caterer?
What type of cooking will the chef be doing? Grilling, wok, rotisserie, smoking, frying, boiling large pots?
What type of beverages will be considered? Dedicated bar with sink, kegerator, icemaker, under cabinet refrigerators?
What are the storage requirements? Weatherproof drawers and cabinets, warming trays for keeping food or spa towels warm, ice buckets?
What will be the location of outdoor kitchen? Near house, on deck, under-roof structure, near pool area, in dedicated kitchen building?
Who will the outdoor kitchen serve? Number of people, adults vs. kids, etc. will impact size of elevated bar counter vs. lower prep and dining spaces and shape of kitchen.
What specifications are required of appliances? BTU’s, grilling area, finishes, warrantees, Wi-Fi connectability, and year round use vs. fair weather use.
What aesthetic are we trying to achieve? Classis hand cut Corinthian granite vs. modern stacked Blue ledge stone. Wooden cabinets vs. stainless steel. Rectilinear vs. circular layout.
What budget are we designing toward? This decision will impact size of kitchen, quality or quantity of appliances used, material chosen for both stone facing and countertop, number of electrical outlets installed, number of low voltage lights installed, etc.
Once we have addressed these and other questions, we can begin the layout
drawings that are built on a plot plan showing preexisting architecture, hardscapes,
and main features of yard, topography and utility locations. Two to three different
kitchen layouts are drawn to allow client to choose between various aesthetic,
functional and budget choices. The client is considered a partner in the design
process and will help determine which layout best meets their overall goals.
With the Phase 1 kitchen layout completed, and design goals further refined, I will
complete a final detailed layout showing dimensioned layouts and elevations with
actual appliance specifications included. These drawings will reflect the design we
are building and provide the basis for cost estimates and installation.
I was recently invited to visit dear clients at their home last summer for a large
outdoor catered gathering. The outdoor kitchen we designed was full of people and
food with the band playing a few feet away and the pool full of kids. It allowed me to
see not just how much fun outdoor kitchens are but how proper design allows them
to be fully functional for larger groups of guests. To schedule a no-cost initial
consultation about your outdoor kitchen, call us at (978) 828-5962.
