Read This Before You Put in an Outdoor Kitchen 

The outdoor kitchen trend shows no sign of slowing down, and for good reason. An outdoor kitchen increases your cooking possibilities and your outdoor entertaining possibilities. You’ll find all sorts of videos online about how to install a small kitchen outdoors yourself, but we would recommend AGAINST making this a DIY job.

This is especially true if you want a high-end backyard kitchen with plumbing, lighting, and high-end components. If this sounds like you, keep reading for some helpful information and tips to get the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.

Outdoor Kitchen Numbers

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recently did some market research on Americans and their outdoor kitchens, including what homeowners want, top materials, features, and more. We thought we’d share some of their findings with you.

• 84% of homeowners use professionals for all or part of their outdoor kitchen installation.
• 22% of homeowners are building high-end kitchens ($30,000+).
• 66% of backyard kitchens are between 100-400 sq. ft.
• 31% of homeowners have 2 grills in their outdoor kitchen, with propane, natural gas, and charcoal grills the most common.
• 52% of homeowners opt for a covered outdoor kitchen, with 30% installing a pergola or pavilion and 13% choosing a retractable awning. 12% get no overhead structure.
• 77% choose stainless steel grill hoods and cabinets.
• 57% choose natural stone such as granite for their countertops.
• 62% install a TV in their backyard kitchen area.

You can read more about the market research at the link. But this gives you an idea of the possibilities, and what homeowners expect from an outdoor kitchen. This can be an important consideration if you ever plan to sell your home.

Now let’s get to 3 simple tips to help you get the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.

1. Choose Your Must-Have Components and Design Configuration

Before hiring a design team or outdoor kitchen contractor, you need to have a good idea of the components you can’t do without, as well as the design configuration that would work best for your space.

Common outdoor kitchen designs include:

• A straight island
• Straight along one wall
• L-shape
• U-shape

Your basic kitchen components include:

• Built-in grill
• Countertops
• Built-in cabinets
• Sink
• Refrigerator
• Task Lighting

Your designer can help you choose the style and finishes of your components. If you want to go all-out, a U-shaped patio kitchen gives you more room for additional appliances such as a wine cooler and kegerator.

RELATED READING

• 6 Components Every Outdoor Kitchen Needs
• Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Kitchen Lighting
• How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?

2. Protect Yourself and Your Outdoor Kitchen from the Elements

We highly recommend that our clients install a pavilion at the same time as they install their backyard kitchen. A pavilion is essentially a pergola with a fixed roof. This shields you from the harsh summer sun while you grill, and protects you and your guests from a stray rain shower as well.

In addition, a pavilion allows you to install one or more ceiling fans and custom light fixtures. Many of our clients opt to make the pavilion big enough to shelter their outdoor dining space as well.

We promise you won’t regret it. Remember how at the beginning of this blog we said that 12% of the homeowners in the market research study didn’t get any overhead structure for their outdoor kitchen? Well, the same study shows that 12% of respondents wish they’d spent more time and money on a shelter or shade enclosure.

3. Get Quotes from at Least 3 Outdoor Kitchen Contractors

Our last tip: do your research and get quotes from at least 3 recommended outdoor kitchen contractors. By recommended, we don’t mean going to a website that auto generates who contacts you. We mean asking friends and neighbors, as well as coworkers who put in their backyard kitchen, and who they would recommend. You can also ask them who to avoid.

Then visit the contractor’s websites to determine if you like what you see. Check out their Portfolio page, and read their reviews. Then set up your onsite consultations. Once you have met with the various outdoor living companies, choose who you will work with. You’ll be cooking in your outdoor kitchen before you know it!

Make It Exceptional. Make It Woodfield.

If this is the year you put in a custom outdoor kitchen, we can help. We design and build outdoor kitchens fit for Top Chef. Take your outdoor cooking and outdoor entertaining to the next level and schedule a consultation with our design team today.

We work with discerning homeowners throughout the Baltimore area, including Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Harford County, and Howard County. Schedule a call today.