Outdoor Kitchens

As common as a backyard pool, outdoor kitchens are a staple in Florida homes. They come in all shapes and sizes from a grill and smoker set into a simple countertop, to a full kitchen rivaling those found inside most homes. These special entertaining areas allow people to take advantage of the amazing weather Florida offers and enhance the indoor/ outdoor lifestyle so many move here to discover. It also makes sense when you think of the water activities people love to incorporate into their lifestyle. An outdoor kitchen is a much better option after a day in the pool or once you’ve made your way home from the beach. In addition to the normal outdoor kitchen found on the lanai, some people are installing summer kitchens, something mainly seen in Northern homes but is gaining popularity locally. No matter what route you take, this outdoor space is an important part of life locally so it’s not surprising that so many people spend a lot of time and effort outfitting these kitchens. From cabinets to smokers, pizza ovens and more, here are some ideas and inspiration to help you create the perfect outdoor kitchen.

Summer kitchens are a really beautiful way to enhance your home if you have the space while also adding a nod to the history in your area.

Summer Kitchens

The summer kitchen started as a way to remove the hot kitchen from the main house during the summer months. This kept the home, and the cook, cooler. While it sounds fun and relaxing to us, there was a day where the summer kitchen was simply the kitchen for much of the year turning out all the food the family or farm needed to keep it running. Now, the summer kitchen is still located in separate, covered spaces, but the utilitarian factor has been replaced with design on top of functionality. These summer kitchens are a really beautiful way to enhance your home if you have the space while also adding a nod to the history in your area.

These kitchens can range in style and size but they are their own unique space that provides a really beautiful entertaining location. These usually have a more old world or romantic feel to them as many blur the line between a home space and a garden space. People usually tuck them into the landscaping of their homes and add lights, candles, flowers, and shrubs to make them feel more established. People have started adding a dining space and fire pits nearby to create a full outdoor living and cooking space they can use during good weather.

To make a traditional summer kitchen, you will need a little more yard space since this is a detached space next to your home. The area should be shaded (although you will add a roof and some kind of side wall) and where it can get a good breeze, after all the goal is to create a cooking space that doesn’t overheat. You will also want to pick a decor theme for this kitchen. Since it’s not an attached space, the idea of making it match the interior of your home, like you would with an outdoor kitchen on your lanai, doesn’t necessarily apply. This should really be a fun space with many people opting for textures and finishes that are natural.

You might also want to include some interesting cooking options like a wood fired pizza oven or a smoker. While these items are often found in outdoor kitchens under covered patios, the openness of a summer kitchen might be a better space for them since smoke and smells, as good as they might be, won’t waft into the home like they would from a smoker 10 feet from your living room.

Outdoor Kitchens

The classic, Florida outdoor kitchen is a part of the pool and lanai area. While they can be placed in their own cabana space across the pool, usually this space acts as a continuation of the interior of the home and is very close to the other living areas. Because of this, a lot of time and effort is put into making sure the two areas, inside and out, blend. That usually means selecting many of the same materials and colors used inside the home and carrying them into the outdoor space. Many times the same counters or backsplashes can be found both inside and out. These great extensions of the home are perfect for everything from small gatherings to large watch parties as you cheer your team to victory.

Due to their protected nature on the lanai, these kitchens are less prone to weathering (vs a summer kitchen) although you will still want to select cabinetry that’s designed to stand up to the heat and humidity Florida experiences though the height of summer. There are so many great, marine-grade cabinet options out there and you will easily be able to find one that fits the colors and styles of your home. Outdoor kitchens are highly customizable which makes the process of designing and installing them a really satisfying one.

These beautiful and functional areas really add to the square footage of your home, functioning as another entertainment area for fun gatherings. Many people add TVs and sound systems to make game day viewing the best it can be. Others choose to include fireplaces or fire features to add some elegance and to keep away the chill on colder nights and fans and misting systems to keep the air moving on hotter days. Many lanais are fitted with roll down screens to deter bugs making them a true, year round space. Whatever you add to your outdoor kitchen, there are a plethora of ways to make this a custom space that fits your needs, your budget, and your lifestyle.

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