4 Must-Have Outdoor Kitchen Features

Is everyone enjoying summer? Although it has been warm, it feels great to be back outside in the sunshine – getting together with family and friends, having barbeques, and relaxing late into the evening on your lanai. Having an updated outdoor kitchen is a great way to fully take advantage of seasonal fun. If you love this time of year but think your outdoor entertaining game is lacking a bit, we are here to help. Here is our list of 5 must-have outdoor kitchen features to add to your outdoor living space and be the envy of all your friends and neighbors.

Kitchens are one of the most significant selling points of any home. They are the center of the social aspect of family and entertaining – outdoor kitchens are hard to beat for luxury living in South Florida. Outdoor kitchen features are evolving and go far beyond a grill and a patio set. Today’s homeowners are creating contemporary kitchen spaces everyone will love.

1. Creative Stonework: Add elegance and sophistication to your outdoor living space with beautiful and unexpected stonework. Stone features provide striking ambiance when placed in a natural outdoor setting. Flagstone is traditional, but you can choose marble countertops, stone columns and porticos for shade, and stone fireplaces for gorgeous additions to your outdoor space. Colors and tones can range from grey to taupe, cream to pure white – a wide variety of finishes uniquely personalize your outdoor kitchen.
2. Stainless Steel Cabinets: An indoor kitchen design is typically driven by aesthetics and function. When you move the party to the backyard, your outdoor kitchen features also must be strong and durable. The finishes and materials will be exposed to rain, wind, insects, and high temperatures, putting them to the test. Therefore, professional kitchen design experts recommend stainless steel cabinets and materials that can withstand the test of time – without losing their impeccable sense of style. Within the category, you have many choices, including matte, brushed metal, or pure gloss.
3. Built-in Seating: Indoors or outdoors, people tend to congregate around the food. Therefore you will want to create inviting and cozy seating areas to accommodate your family and guests while creating culinary masterpieces on your outdoor grill. But patio sets are often expensive and can take up a lot of space while providing only limited seating. Try this seating option instead – create built-in seating that will not take up too much additional footprint. Whether a deck railing or a low stone wall, simply build benches around the perimeter to provide as much seating as needed. Don’t forget to add all-weather cushions. Better yet, if you create bench seating, you can incorporate storage for the cushions when they are not in use. Pick up some affordable tray tables, and you’ve expanded your dinner seating considerably.
4. Creative Lighting: Yes, we love the sun – but our parties often last long after the sun has gone down. It is easy to create whatever ambiance you choose simply by customizing your outdoor lighting. You may wish to install bright task lighting over your kitchen prep and cooking area while providing soft Edison lighting over seating areas. LED lights have come a long way while saving you on electricity bills. Your choices range from light strips installed along benches for understated illumination to glamourous chandeliers for elegance.

Outdoor kitchen features have come a long way, and homeowners now have options they never did before. If you are ready to revolutionize your outdoor space and need expert design inspiration, call West Coast Design Build Florida.