3 minute read
Outdoor Kitchens Are Part of the New Home Paradise
Kehoe Constructors outdoor kitchen remodel
PLAN FOR YOUR PERFECT OUTDOOR COOKING SPACE
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With home being the ideal place to be for most of 2020 and into 2021, people are looking to get beyond the walls of their home and are going into their yards more than ever. Outdoor kitchens have become havens for people who want to cook somewhere different, live more of their lives under the blue sky, and invest in their homes as their own personal slice of paradise. Before plugging a fridge in under the pergola, there are some things to consider before tackling an outdoor kitchen project.
The scope of what is considered an outdoor kitchen can vary, but industry experts agree that a cooking source and counter space can be enough to constitute an outdoor kitchen. Others say that an outdoor kitchen is just a small piece of an overall outdoor living plan. “Most people go for something simple, rarely do we see sinks and kegerators and the full-blown deal, most just want a nice area that looks built-in and cohesive,” says Bonnie Hale, co-owner of Tranquil Escapes.
As far as trends in outdoor kitchens, the demand for them across all income levels is evident. “It’s gotten to the point where we’re not just working on super high-end projects, everyone is conscious of having a nice outdoor space in their yard,” says Hal Bowers of Bowers Landscaping and Irrigation. “Entry-level subdivisions have homes with screened-in porches, patios, and sitting walls as part of the design.”
Above: Kehoe Constructors outdoor kitchen remodel. Below: before the remodel.
Other outdoor kitchen trends include giving the space a staycation vibe. “People are wanting more of the turn-key resort feel, an experience in the backyard they could have if they went on a vacation,” says Bowers, who speculates people are investing money they would have spent on trips on their homes now. Focusing on the outdoor dining space is huge too this year. “Since a lot of people can’t go out to eat, they want to go into their own yards without having to go too far,” says Wendell Furtick of Saluda Hills Landscaping. He’s seen people wanting more than just two or three bar stools outdoors, which is more typical of past designs.
For anyone considering an outdoor kitchen as the springboard for a whole backyard redo, or as an addition to their pre-existing outdoor space, thinking about placement is key. “You usually want to put it near the closest access door to your kitchen, not clear out in a large yard towards the end because you’re bringing food in and out,” says Hale.
If COVID times make an outdoor kitchen seem like more of a reality and need than ever before, take time to sit outside and envision how the space would actually be used. Think about the views the person cooking and the people eating would have. Measure how many steps there are between the outdoor kitchen and indoor one, and most importantly, all outdoor kitchen designers agree to think about how the space will fit in and feel with pre-existing landscaping, the home, and any other nearby structures to create the perfect outdoor paradise. u
Bowers Landscaping and Irrigation
