Outdoor Living is for Me!
We all love entertaining our family and friends outside and of course this involves food! And lets face it, not all of us have the space inside our homes to welcome everyone over for a fun-filled evening. Now add to this the fact that we live in Michigan and only have a select few months to enjoy some beautiful and sunny weather. So why not make the most of it by creating an outdoor kitchen?
Why?
Why would someone want to build an outdoor kitchen? Well, outdoor dining is very popular. Most of us cook on a barbeque grill of some sort, whether it’s gas or charcoal. So why not make this a permanent fixture? We all know that cooking and dining outside is relaxing and a fantastic way to entertain family and friends. The food is fabulous and the formality is very low key. No china or crystal settings that may break or white tablecloths to stain. (But you may have to provide mosquito spray!) So why not add a permanent space outside where you can cook and dine without having to haul your kitchen outdoors on a regular basis!
Location, Location, Location
The one thing you must remember prior to starting your outdoor kitchen, is that there is no right or wrong place for its location. Some prefer the kitchen to become a part of the homes architecture while others may want the kitchen to blend into the landscape. At the same time, others may want to have a hidden, built-in grilling station that hides and protects the equipment. It is all up to you to decide which placement will most benefit your needs. Some location possibilities may be:
- Next to your house
- Near the pool
- On the patio or deck
- In a secluded area of your backyard
Cost and Planning
Just like any other home project, you must set a budget prior to its commencement. The first task you should undertake is deciding on how much you want to spend for the grill. This will become the focal point of your outdoor kitchen, so you should put some time and thought into researching what best suits your needs. Remember, you wouldn’t put just any cooking stove inside your house, so why would you put just any grill in your outdoor kitchen? Next you should decide on the layout of your kitchen. What size will your finished kitchen be and how much counter space should you have built in? You should also take the time now to find out if your project will require any kind of permits before it can be built.
Project Timeframe
This project is going to need some planning, organizing and management. You should allow yourself roughly three months to plan, start and finish your outdoor kitchen. If you want to be cooking in your kitchen by summer, you should get your project underway by February. Hiring a professional will also help to alleviate some of the stress that this type of project can induce.
Overall…
Constructing an outdoor kitchen can be a lot of work, but very rewarding in the end. What a fabulous way to relax and entertain while outside! Why not enjoy the most that summer has to offer?