Summer is the time for having outdoor cookouts and barbecues with your family members and friends. However, outdoor cookouts can be quite tedious if you don’t have a well equipped outdoor kitchen oasis. You will have to run all over the compound with food and serving dishes just to make sure everyone is well-fed. Therefore, if cookouts are your thing, especially during the warm summer months, you need to invest in a great outdoor kitchen.
Great outdoor kitchen design has all the appliances and cooking equipment that you will need to prepare and enjoy a fantastic meal outside. It must also have a well-designed dining area where you can enjoy your delicious meal. So if you are looking for some great outdoor kitchen ideas for creating a beautiful cooking oasis, please read on.
13 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for Creating your Cooking Oasis
Build your outdoor kitchen near the house
Before you even start admiring your location plan or layout, you must think about convenience. Building the cooking oasis near your indoor kitchen can reduce movements between the two kitchens when you have a big outdoor party. It can also reduce the budget since you will spend less on an electrician and a plumber. Therefore, when scouting for the location of your outdoor kitchen, you should consider the electricity and plumbing lines, especially if you have a tight budget.
Select a fitting theme
Your outdoor kitchen should complement your beautiful backyard oasis. It should be welcoming and blend perfectly with the entire compound. Remember, you will be spending most of the weekends with your family. So other than the design and layout, make sure you paint it using relaxing colors for a stress-free experience. Blue hue tends to be calming, and it can fit perfectly if you leave near a beach.
Set up a beautiful dining place nearby
Cookouts can be fun if the outside kitchen is near a swimming pool. However, it can be even better if you have a unique dining place nearby where your family members and friends can enjoy the meal. Dining outside can be fun, but nobody wants to be exposed to direct sunlight the whole day. So make sure you include a unique source of shade that fits your design. With a great shade, you can enjoy the fresh air without being exposed to direct sunlight.
Make sure it is fully equipped
Just because it is an outdoor kitchen, it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be fully equipped. If possible, make sure it resembles your other kitchen with everything from ovens, built-in grill, extra storage, and a fridge. An outdoor sink is a must since you will be handling raw meat when barbecuing. So make sure you install a good quality hands free kitchen faucet that will help you clean everything after the party ends.
Don’t forget the lighting
A considerable percentage of the outdoor parties take place at night, so don’t leave yourself in darkness. Plus, you will be working with sharp knives and fire, which can be quite dangerous. Therefore, make sure your outdoor kitchen is always brightly lit. Remember, nobody wants to cook with a flashlight or candles.
U-shaped layout
The U-Shaped outdoor kitchen layout resembles the indoor kitchen, and it is one of the best layouts on the planet. The U-Shape layout can be a great design if you plan to incorporate a bar area, refrigeration, under-counter, and a grill. Since it is a simple layout, you can design the kitchen any way you like.
Convert your rooftop into an outdoor kitchen
If you have a small compound that can’t accommodate a fully equipped kitchen, you should try building it on your rooftop. An outdoor kitchen that is situated on the rooftop can be quite spacious and beautiful if you have a beautiful view. So, think beyond your small backyard and build your cooking spot on the roof.
Don’t forget to add a bar
Optimize the kitchen for entertaining your visitors by making the counter feel like a bar. Beautiful tile design and modern barstools can do the trick. A bar can be a great finishing touch for any outdoor kitchen oasis.
Make sure it blends with your backyard
A beautiful outdoor kitchen must blend perfectly with the surrounding natural landscape. Therefore build a rustic outdoor kitchen with wooden counters and seats. Rustic kitchen designs are trendy and can incorporate some natural stone pavers and wood. The rustic design adds warmth to your kitchen, and it can be built using upcycled materials. A rustic outdoor kitchen looks great with any type of lighting either night or day. Rustic kitchen design can be an excellent experience for people who love the outdoors.
Add a wood-fire pizza oven
Sometimes we all get tired of eating the same hamburger or hotdog and need something different. So if you want something different for your family during cookouts, you can add a wood-fired pizza oven in your kitchen. Pizza cooked in this oven cooks faster and is more flavorful.
Go modern
A beautiful modern outdoor kitchen can be a perfect design for anyone who is planning to use stainless steel kitchen appliances. With stainless steel refrigerators and a built-in barbecue gas grill, you will be a step closer to getting a modern outdoor kitchen.
Embrace the space
Outdoors are more than just places where you host your family and friends for cookouts. They are the center of your backyard’s entertainment from cocktail parties to family Barbecues. Therefore, it is crucial that the kitchen integrates perfectly into the backyard while leaving space for your children to play.
Upcycled outdoor kitchen
Are you designing an outdoor kitchen on a tight budget? If so, then you need to consider an upcycling. Upcycle refers to when you take some old or used items in your home that you would throw away and repurpose them. This approach can save you a lot of cash on a sink, chairs, countertops, and a dining table. And instead, you can spend the money on under-counter refrigeration, bar appliances, and a grill.
Bio
Linda is the founder of www.homeworthylist.com. You will find her helping her family members and friends design their indoor and outdoor kitchens. She loves to write about kitchen remodeling and researching more about all the new kitchen appliances in the market.
Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel from Pexels
