On a warm summer day or evening, the best place to cook or prepare your meals is in your outdoor kitchen. With a few additions, you can easily convert your patio into an outdoor living space with a fully equipped kitchen. Before you begin the outdoor kitchen design process, there are a few questions that you should ask yourself, to ensure that all of your requirements will be fulfilled. Because the purpose of an outdoor kitchen is often involves entertaining and preparing meals for friends or family, the most practical designs include a full range of cooking appliances as well sinks and preparation surfaces that keep homeowners outside and among their guests.
Based in East Longmeadow, MA, Environmental Design & Landscaping has been installing outdoor kitchens for residents throughout the Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA areas for almost 20 years. In this months article, we have compiled a list of important questions you should ask yourself before you hire a landscape construction contractor to build your outdoor living space.
How many guests are you planning on hosting in your outdoor kitchen patio area? The amount of guests you plan to host at your outdoor parties, as well as the size of your family will play a large part when you are designing the layout of your outdoor living area. You want to make sure that you have enough space and seating to accommodate your guests.
How would you like to utilize your outdoor area? The kitchen is always the focal point of parties, where the majority of your guests tend to congregate. You can create an outdoor bar area with seating or a built-in bench made from stone or concrete could create the perfect gathering area for your friends and family.
Will your kitchen be exposed to weather elements? If your outdoor kitchen will be fully exposed to the weather, you should avoid using tile and natural stone counter-tops because they will be more susceptible to cracking and deterioration. Bad weather conditions may also wreak havoc on your outdoor kitchen cabinets depending on the materials used. Adding a pergolas or a roof to the design plan will help to extend the lifespan of your outdoor living area.
At Environmental Design & Landscaping, we specialize in designing and building outdoor kitchens of all scopes and sizes. Whether you desire a luxury kitchen with modern appliances, or just an attractive small area to grill, our experienced design team will work with you to create an outdoor kitchen that matches any style and within your desired budget. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation!