An outdoor kitchen is a welcomed addition for every yard and every type of homeowner, from homebodies who prefer to stay in the comfort of their own homes to hosts who love entertaining crowds regularly.
No matter the size, an outdoor kitchen adds to your home’s square footage and, even better: its earning potential. Compared to other outdoor home improvement projects, adding a cooking, grilling, or serving space outside increases your home value with a higher return on investment. Plus, adding ample cooking space keeps your in-home kitchen cool and any smoke or stinky smells out of your home.
We’ve rounded up four types of outdoor kitchens we’re seeing in home improvement projects across the country. Read on to find out which outdoor kitchen will fit your yard and vision:
For the Postage Stamp Yard
Urban dwellers don’t have the same expansive yards as their suburban and rural counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the perks of an outdoor kitchen. We recommend going for a more kitchenette-like design with only the most important pieces. A galley style addition to an existing patio seating area makes the most of limited space. Consider adding a row of lower cabinets for storage, either refrigerated or dry shelving, with a built-in grille to make the most of that precious yard space.
For the Year-Round Entertainer
Outdoor kitchens are the perfect place to gather on idyllic days. But even if you live in a place that sees every season or below average temperature, an outdoor kitchen is still possible. Hot climates are made cool enough for all with the help of overhead fans, while heaters keep everyone comfortable on cool autumn evenings. We recommend adding some sort of covering no matter the environment, so you can enjoy your new addition even on the sunniest or rainiest days.
For the Chef
An outdoor kitchen can include so much more than a grille alone. When the space allows, an outdoor kitchen has the potential to become your new favorite room on your property. Consider adding a pizza oven, which can also be used for baking desserts like cookies and cakes, a griddle for breakfast foods like pancakes and bacon, or a power burner for cooking with larger pots to boil things like seafood and potatoes. We recommend including a vent hood. Even if it’s not required by local codes, it looks incredible. Don’t forget to include a mini fridge and sink to keep the in-and-out trips at a minimum during meal prep.
For the Bartender
If you’re looking to craft libations outdoors more than meals, skip the cooking stations and create your dream outdoor bar. The key is to build a space you’ll never want to – or have to – leave with a complete beverage center, including storage for garnishes, a sink with a drinking water faucet, and shelves for glassware. We recommend including an ice maker or, at the very least, an ice bin, so you always have it at the ready. For non-stop chilling, install some sort of refrigeration. Think beyond a basic mini refrigerator and opt a kegerator for your favorite craft brew, a climate-controlled wine fridge for red and white wines alike, or a multi-use beverage cooler to make every guest happy.
Are you ready to add value for your family and guests? Work with a contractor, who will be well versed on local codes for outdoor cooking, to bring your dream to life. Then, tag us on Instagram @Sinkology with #MyOutdoorKitchen so we can see your finished product.
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