It's summer and there is an outdoor feature that seems to be sweeping the nation. The outdoor kitchen is a functional and fun outdoor room. It is a mix of the regular kitchen, living room, and dining room. Normally you wold do a lot more than eat in your outdoor kitchen area. There could be cooking, prep, eating, and entertaining all going on in the same space. Since it is such a versatile and sought after room for the summer we want to make sure that the outdoor kitchen area is a room we are happy to invite our guests to.

The first thing we want to consider in our outdoor kitchen is the placement of everything. Just like the kitchen within our homes we want to make sure that the kitchen outside of our homes has the same degree of functionality and ease of use. Ensure that the lounge and eating are is well separated from the cooking area as we don't want guests looming over the food. Also make sure your prep area is close enough to the grill to ensure convenience and efficiency in your cooking. Last ensure that the grill is safely away from anywhere little one would play. Again your outdoor kitchen area is a mix of several indoor rooms so safety can be an issue.

The next thing we want to consider when designing our outdoor kitchen area is the atmosphere. Will it be romantic, family friendly, playful, or chill. For a romantic outdoor kitchen you don't need too much seating romantic means you and your significant other so no seating for sixteen is needed. Install some drapery on your pergola to add to the privacy of the space and make sure to have lighting for nighttime meals. Don't forget the bur repellent insect bites are not attractive! If it's mostly gonna be used for your family make sure you have ample seating for the bunch of you and use fabrics and materials which correspond with the age of your children. The younger they are the softer and more durable you want your materials to be. For a playful space you can do a full over haul install a splash pad and other fun accents like a horseshoes area or massive chessboard. Keep the colors bright and fun. For a chill almost lounge type outdoor kitchen you can install a bar (It doesn't have to have alcohol!). Ensure you add lounge chairs and a fire-pit for added comfort.

As you can see there are multitude of different ways to decorate your new outdoor kitchen area or re-imagine your old outdoor kitchen area. Just make sure you have the basics to make the area truly an outdoor kitchen you and your guests will enjoy.