Important Aspects of Outdoor Kitchen Design to Keep in Mind

Making the decision to install an outdoor kitchen in Seattle, WA is a great way to add value to your home, while also increasing the versatility of your property’s outdoor space. But with every outdoor kitchen installation comes a slew of important variables to consider. There’s more to an outdoor kitchen than durable countertops, basic appliances and a few utility hookups. Let’s take a look at a few of the most important details you’ll need to flesh out before you can enjoy all that an outdoor kitchen has to offer:

• Weather: First and foremost, your kitchen needs to be approach from an all-weather standpoint. Not only is Seattle a rainy place all year round, it’s also prone to sea air from Puget Sound, which can be corrosive due to its high salt content. It’s important to make sure your outdoor kitchen is shielded from heavy rainfalls and that all outdoor appliances are powder coated for resilience.
• Functionality: What’s the purpose of your outdoor kitchen? If it’s just a place to prep food and serve it, you might not need all of the bells and whistles that come with a full kitchen setup. On the other hand, if you’re planning on doing all of the prepping, cooking and serving outdoors, a full kitchen might be a smart setup, complete with all major appliances.
• Design: An outdoor kitchen in Seattle, WA is not a standalone installation in your backyard! It needs to integrate with everything around it, which means giving some forethought to design. If you have a patio, deck, pool, garden, gazebo, trellis or any other outdoor fixture or focal point, you’ll want to make sure the kitchen integrates smoothly with one or all of these things.
• Lighting: Just like the kitchen in your home demands proper lighting, your outdoor kitchen also needs to be well lit. Having the right lighting will enable your kitchen to be used in the evenings and after the sun goes down, without leaving you open to dangerous situations—like working with cutlery in the dark! Good lighting also completes the aesthetic and helps accentuate the value of your investment in an outdoor kitchen.
• Style: There are some stylistic options that are standard for outdoor kitchens, such as stainless steel appliances. However, when it comes to materials for the construction of the kitchen, the countertops and the cabinetry, there’s a world of possibilities open to you. Decide on the style of your kitchen to help it complete your backyard and make sure you’re making choices that illustrate your tastes.
• Budget: Let’s not forget that this all comes down to a budget! Many people are so excited to start building their outdoor kitchen that they forget to set a budget—or worse, exceed the one they do set! Be cognizant of costs and stick to them. If you have to make concessions, make sure they’re compromises that won’t undermine your overall investment in an outdoor kitchen.

An outdoor kitchen is a wonderful amenity for your home and will add immeasurable value to your property and your quality of life. Keep in mind the above tips when it comes time to build and you’ll get the best return on your investment!

Categorised in: Outdoor Kitchen Builder

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