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In general, the best types of wood for outdoor kitchens are naturally resistant to elements like water and heat and the damage they impart, like fading and mold or mildew development. For the best results, opt for teak, mahogany, and oak, and make sure they're pressure-treated for extra protection.

Outdoor kitchens can quickly get expensive, but there are a few things you can do to help keep costs down, including the following:

• You can build on an existing patio to reduce the cost of a new foundation.

• Opt out of a sink and stick with a built-in propane or charcoal grill to save on utility line installation costs.

• You can tackle the parts of the project that are DIYable, like finishing cabinets, installing fixtures, and building seating.

• Keep your kitchen small and make a big impact with proper planning and upgrading the essential components instead.

In most cases, yes, an outdoor living space adds value to your home. The trick to your best return on investment is to choose high-quality building materials that will look nice and durable without crossing the line into total luxury that becomes cost-ineffective. For example, there’s no need to install marble tiles around your pool, but a durable and aesthetically pleasing deck will go a long way.

A fireplace is, by definition, an enclosed space where you burn wood or other fuel for the purpose of generating light and heat. A firepit burns wood and is much less expensive to build, but they aren’t technically a fireplace as it isn’t enclosed. An outdoor oven—commonly outdoor brick pizza ovens—often uses wood as fuel, but its primary purpose is to cook food, and you’d rarely just burn wood inside them for warmth or aesthetic reasons.