Tips For Designing An Outdoor Kitchen Space For Your Backyard
If your family enjoys spending a lot of time outdoors when the weather is nice, and you want to install an outdoor kitchen, then these tips will help you design an outdoor kitchen space that will work well for your family.
Tip: Design Your Outdoor Kitchen, So All Appliances are Under Cover
When you start designing your outdoor kitchen, it is important you plan to locate all of its appliances on a concrete patio that has an adequately-sized patio cover. Outdoor refrigerators and cooktops require electrical connections that need to be kept dry even in inclement weather when snow and rain are blowing around. For this reason, you need a large enough patio cover to protect your kitchen space from moisture damage year-round.
Tip: Opt for Stainless Steel Countertops Over Natural Stone
While you may like the look of natural stone countertops, if you install them in an outdoor kitchen, then you will need to seal them each year to protect them from the elements. To save yourself the time and hassle of having to keep up with their maintenance, you should opt for stainless steel countertops. Stainless steel is impervious to weather damage and will last for decades with nothing more than regular cleaning.
Tip: Don't Forget to Install Adequate Lighting for Cooking in the Evenings and at Night
When designing your new outdoor kitchen, it is important you don't forget to include adequate lighting for food preparation and cooking in the evenings and at night when it is dark.
One thing that works very well in outdoor kitchen spaces is to install exterior-grade ceiling fans. The lights will provide what you need for cooking and food prep while the fan will provide some air movement. The air movement is nice when it is hot outside, and it is also nice because it will help prevent flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs from flying around near the food you are preparing. To save some money on power, install ceiling fans that use LED bulbs rather than traditional light bulbs.
Tip: Consider Installing Misters and Heaters to Extend Your Outdoor Living Season
Finally, if you want to be able to comfortably use your new outdoor kitchen space even when the weather isn't ideal, you can easily do so by installing a water mister and a propane heater. The mister will feel amazing when it is oppressively hot outside, and the heater will feel wonderful on colder days.
For more information, contact a company like Bear Claw Landscaping, Inc.