December 04, 2024
Adding an outdoor kitchen to your home isn’t just a wonderful way to increase the usefulness and functionality of your outdoor space – it’s also a great way to create an indoor-outdoor living situation, add value to your property, and make for easier entertaining.
Plus, who doesn’t love a spot of al fresco dining? The ultimate addition for any foodie who loves to cook, creating the perfect outdoor kitchen is achievable with a little forward planning and one unexpected addition (hint: it’s one of our outdoor TV lift cabinets!)
The first (and arguably the most important) consideration is where to construct your outdoor kitchen. The orientation of your garden will play a central role in this decision, as too will the distance from your main house.
Ideally, it should be sheltered from winds and not too far away that transporting kitchen utensils, food, drinks, and crockery becomes a chore. You also want to be close enough to the house so it’s easy to power your outdoor appliances if need be – and to ferry dirty dishes back inside to load up the dishwasher.
Adding shade and shelter is another big consideration. Breeze will knock out your gas flame if you’re cooking outside but while you don’t want to be stood in the wind, you equally need shelter from the blazing sun when cooking.
A pergola works nicely for an outdoor kitchen and is flexible when it comes to material selection. Creating a sheltered area has the added benefit of also helping to keep your equipment dry on rainy days so you can still grill up a storm or fire up your pizza even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Lighting is vital for your outdoor kitchen. If you aren’t planning on running power to the area, add plenty of solar lights. You’ll need that light to make your space work both day and night. It’s also useful for creating a welcoming ambience for guests and means you can sit and enjoy the evening as the sun goes down while savoring your gourmet creations.
Our Outdoor Stunner TV lift cabinet can help you with ambient lighting to set the mood – as well as the TV lift cabinet, it includes a full-service bar and removable lighting to take you from day to night!
If you’re planning to add power to your outdoor kitchen, don’t forget to factor in some cold storage such as a refrigerator or freezer so you can store refreshments and fresh ingredients close to hand. A wine cooler is a great addition if you love to entertain, so you can chill your white wine, rosé, and champagne ready for lunch or dinner duties.
You’ll also want plenty of other storage so you can store utensils such as your grilling tools, pizza accessories, chopping boards and outdoor crockery close to hand.
Flooring is one of those elements that can be easily overlooked but it’s worth giving some thought too when planning your outdoor kitchen. Sticking with your existing patio is an easy option but consider whether you want to define the space by going for something a little different. It should be non-stick and easy to clean, as well as water resistant so you can wipe up any spillages easily. If you’re tempted to add decking, consider composite boards so they are non-slippy over the fall and winter months.
One of our stylish outdoor TV lift cabinets is the perfect finishing touch for your new outside kitchen and dining area. It’s a versatile addition that allows you to listen to music, stream your favorite shows, have a cooking show on in the background or watch the game as you dine outside.
Our smart designs also make great use of space, with some cabinets including a bar and integrated refrigerator. Our Night and Day outdoor entertainment center is the full package with a working bar top complete with cutting board, ice bucket, and bottle holders. The heavy duty, lockable wheels also make it easy to move, so if you want to relax in the hot tub after dinner, you can move the TV lift cabinet with you and play music from your device with the integrated charging point.
Our outdoor TV lift cabinets are an incredible addition to any outdoor kitchen and we’re here to help you make the right choice. Get in touch with us to discuss our designs, ask any questions you may have, or set out your specific needs.
