Outdoor Kitchens Guide

If you are thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen to your home, it is important you go into this project with a plan. In order to come up with the right outdoor kitchen plans for your space, you have to take a long hard look at the area in which you want to build the project. You will also need to have a good understanding of what your budget is, and then you can get into the particulars of which items on your outdoor kitchen wish list you can fit and which you might have to sacrifice.

This is a project that can add substantial value to your home if handled properly. Think about is, if you and a neighbor have essentially the same house, but one of you has added a quality outdoor kitchen, if everything else is equal the home with that extra will be more attractive and worth more to potential buyers.

Make a list of those things you really want in the completed project. These are the things that you picture in your mind when you think aout the space after the job is done. Perhaps it is as simple as a grill and refrigerator, or maybe it is much more elaborate and you want a large bar area and things like an ice maker and wine cooler. There is no right or wrong when it comes to outdoor kitchens. There is just what you want and what your space and budget can accommodate. When you get those things in sync you will have developed the best outdoor kitchen design for your situation.

Before you get into exactly what construction method you want used or what color or type of counter tops you want, it is important that you come to a decision the basic footprint of what the kitchen will look like. This means you have to look at your space and come up with dimensions and shape for the cabinet and any bar areas. Keep in mind that if you have a bar your barstools will stick out further. If you have a pool, keep safety in mind. the last thing you want is for a guest to be sitting at your bar one moment and in the next moment find himself in the pool. Make sure you can realistically fit the design you are planning.

Once you know the footprint of the cabinets, you will be able to accurately know what appliances you can fit and what, if anything, might have to be sacrificed from your wish list. If you are tight on space, there are ways to combine things and save space. For example, if you want a grill and a side burner, you can get a unit that is a grill with the side burner attached. This will save space, and there are quite a few of these outdoor kitchen grills to choose from. If you are having trouble fitting everything into your plan and you want both an ice maker and a refrigerator, you can get  outdoor refrigerators with an ice maker inside. You sacrifice some refrigeration space, but you save by not needing a separate ice maker. The same applies if you want both a wine cooler and refrigerator. There are duel units available that have side by side doors and separate cooling zones. You can keep your wine at the right temperature and your other refrigerated items at their own temperature all in one unit.

Once you know the footprint you want for your outdoor kitchen, you can begin to get into things like plumbing and electrical needs. Both of hose items can add a substantial amount to your budget if they are not already present in the area you plan to add the kitchen. The best way to figure cost is to bring in 2 or 3 plumbers and electricians and get a couple of different prices for each. This will give you a good idea of how much you need to budget for utilities. When bringing in an electrician, keep in mind to have them include things like power for the vent hood, if you plan on one, and at least a couple of outlets in the counter top area.

You are now well on your way to developing your outdoor kitchen ideas. It is time to start exploring the different types and style of outdoor kitchen cabinets, and start researching the various outdoor kitchen appliances on your wish list.