Outdoor Kitchens Add Fun, Function

(Family Features) If your backyard beckons when temperatures climb, an outdoor kitchen may be the perfect answer for your next construction or remodeling project. Outdoor kitchens bring color, style and design to your backyard landscape while adding a fully functional living space to your home.

Whether you tend to enjoy your backyard with close family or frequently host a larger group, creating a work zone close to the action lets you keep tabs on all the fun. By bringing the same luxuries and conveniences of interior kitchens outdoors, you can stay in the middle of it all while serving up meals that keep the party going well into the evening.

The options are nearly endless when it comes to designing your ideal outdoor kitchen. Consider these key areas as you begin planning your project:

Location comes first. A well-designed outdoor kitchen flows from the home and creates a natural transition to the rest of the landscape. As you contemplate the location and orientation, think about how the kitchen will be incorporated into your existing outdoor living space. Let the land guide your design.

Seamless style. The aesthetic style of your outdoor kitchen is another vital ingredient to help ensure the design complements your home’s exterior architecture and landscaping. Create a unique, one-of-a-kind look with door styles and powder coat colors and realistic wood grain finishes, such as those offered by Danver Stainless Outdoor Kitchens and Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens, to capture the exact look you desire.

Layout logistics. A grill is an obvious element of virtually every outdoor kitchen, but there are still plenty of decisions to make, such as the best placement of your grilling appliances. Don’t forget to factor in wind, which may force smoke into your house or dining areas, or create the need to incorporate a ventilation hood. Also keep your cooking style in mind, which may help you determine how to lay out other features, such as the work space and other cooking and cooling appliances, so they are in easy reach.

Menu options. Think about the types of foods and beverages you’ll want to serve outdoors. For example, a backyard bar may warrant an extra sink, larger refrigerator, ice maker, wine cooler and/or beer dispenser. For interactive kitchen fun, you may opt for a pizza oven that is both attractive and deliciously entertaining.

Know the code. Remember that the purpose of an outdoor kitchen is to provide function, which you can only achieve with proper plumbing, gas and electric. Do your research to determine any local building code requirements and be sure to check with your home owners association or any other group that may govern a remodeling project on your property.

To get your project started on the right track, enlist the help of a design professional. Find inspiration and more tips for creating your ideal outdoor kitchen at

danver.com

and

brownjordanoutdoorkitchens.com

.