Grill yourself before you build
Planning an outdoor kitchen requires you to define how you'll use the space, whether for frequent family meals or occasional entertaining with guests.
Your outdoor kitchen budget sets the foundation for choosing amenities like grills, sinks, refrigerators, and fire pits that fit your lifestyle and space.
Outdoor kitchen materials like bricks, pavers, and natural stones need to withstand weather and high temperatures from cooking equipment and fire features.
Hiring a local masonry professional provides expert guidance on material selection and construction, ensuring your outdoor kitchen handles weather and heat safely.
Fired up about building an outdoor kitchen? Dining al fresco is a great way to spend time with family and friends. But before you begin building, consider factors like how much you can spend, how you’ll use the space, and what needs to be included in your outdoor kitchen.
“Taking the time to consider key factors when building your outdoor kitchen can help you design a space that fits your lifestyle, backyard, and budget,” says Andrew Fulchino Jr. of FLC Corp, a landscaping company.
He outlines seven questions to consider when planning your outdoor kitchen.
The first task in building an outdoor kitchen is to define its purpose. Will you be using it occasionally to entertain, or cook for your family several times a week? Do you intend to cook on a stove, barbecue, or make pizzas? Outline the ways you will use the kitchen so you can design a functional space that best aligns with your lifestyle.
Know what you are willing to spend on the project. Realize the amount is most likely a guideline and leave wiggle room for unexpected expenditures that inevitably occur in building projects. Research the cost of an outdoor kitchen to have a realistic idea of what your budget can buy.
Based on your budget, pick out your must-haves. Does your outdoor kitchen need a stove and grill? What about a dishwasher and sink? A fireplace or fire pit, refrigerator, or pizza oven? Some homeowners even have televisions and pergolas installed. You will also need to hire a local plumber to run water or a gas line.
It’s important to consider the size of your outdoor kitchen and how it works with your home, patio, backyard, and landscaping. Take into consideration the scale and placement. Here’s a hack: Use a tape measure and spray paint the area where the outdoor kitchen will reside to envision how it will look in your yard.
Building an outdoor kitchen requires an experienced local mason or landscape architect near you. They can help you select materials including bricks, pavers, and natural stones that can withstand the elements as well as the high temperatures of fire pits and stoves. Visit a quarry or showroom to see samples of slabs for a true understanding of colors and textures.
Check with your city to see what permits are needed when building an outdoor kitchen. While the mason may not need to pull a permit, you may need a permit for structural, plumbing, electrical, or ductwork changes.
It’s important to think about lighting in the initial stages of your outdoor kitchen so your local electrician can wire it before your builder builds. Make sure your lighting correlates with the scale of your kitchen. There are many lighting choices, including wall lights, pendant lights, or even linear suspension lights if your outdoor space features high ceilings.
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The WaterworksFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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