One of our favorite things about our Granada Park model home is its outdoor greatroom. The popularity of this type of outdoor living space continues to skyrocket, especially in areas with a sub-tropical climate such as ours. For many of today’s homebuyers who are unfamiliar with this luxurious culinary experience, however, the first question that comes to mind is which features to look for in an outdoor kitchen.
The key is that you want to bring indoor comfort and safety outdoors. So, where do you start? Here are some key features that make for a truly luxurious, outdoor kitchen:
Location
It might not have been the first element to cross your mind, but, as the saying goes, location is everything! The perfect outdoor kitchen is located close enough to your indoor kitchen that you don’t have to travel far when retrieving supplies, but with enough distance that it doesn’t pose a fire hazard.
Flooring
Surprisingly enough, flooring is one of the more important considerations when it comes to outdoor cooking spaces. Because your floor will be exposed to a lot of wear and tear and exposure to weather and the elements, you’ll want to make sure that the flooring is both durable and non-skid. Also, flooring and decks should have an adequate pitch to drain water away from the home for both rain, wind, and wash-down.
. Trust us when we tell you that you’ll be thankful for adequate drainage when hurricane season rolls around.
Cabinetry
The cabinetry is what will house all of your cooking appliances, drawers and storage space, so check to make sure that the structure is strong and has the ability to last for many years to come. Our outdoor cabinetry is typically crafted from Starboard – a highly durable composite product sometimes used by the cutting board industry.
Electrical Outlets
Since the idea of an outdoor kitchen is to bring the comfort and convenience of your indoor kitchen outdoors, you’ll definitely want to make sure that you have a place to plug in your blender (among other appliances) for all of that entertaining you’re going to be doing.
Cooking Appliances
No kitchen (whether indoors or outdoors) is complete without its gadgets. Arguably, the most important feature in an outdoor kitchen is the grill. The fun thing about picking out your outdoor appliances, is that you don’t have to stick with the traditional charcoal or wood-burning smoker (unless that’s your style); you can turn this space into a chef’s dream. Your luxury, outdoor kitchen could include a gas grill, a BBQ, a wok or even a pizza oven!
Counter Space
The same rules that apply for your kitchen indoors apply outdoors – you can never have enough counter space! You’ll want plenty of room for food prep, drinks and maybe even a bar area.
Sink and Refrigerator
Not as essential as the grill, but a useful addition, nonetheless. If you’re planning on doing a lot of food prep in your outdoor kitchen, a sink is a great way to ensure your space stays clean and sanitary. A refrigerator will also provide peace of mind when it comes to food safety and storage.
Storage
All great kitchens come with plenty of storage, and your outdoor kitchen should, as well. In addition to drawers for your cutlery and utensils, consider built-ins like trash and recycling bins, paper towel holders, wine racks, a firewood station or even a drink station!
Lighting
Often considered as an afterthought, a well-lit space is essential to the success of you outdoor kitchen. Remember, you’re probably going to want to keep the party going, even after sunset, so you may need to see what you’re doing while hovering over an open flame.
When it comes to creating the perfect outdoor kitchen, it’s all about customizing the space to suit your unique lifestyle. No matter the design you choose, the goal is always the same: to cook, eat and entertain!