Back in 2020, a survey indicated that about 500,000 American homeowners had outdoor kitchens. At that point, the outdoor kitchen market was fairly small because the majority of homeowners hadn’t yet discovered all the benefits of having full-fledged exterior cooking areas.
Though the market has grown significantly in the few years since that survey, quite a few homeowners have discovered their outdoor kitchens aren’t quite meeting their needs and living up to their original expectations. As such, hundreds of thousands of people are currently planning to redesign their outdoor kitchen spaces.
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Redesigning an Outdoor Kitchen Space
While many people are aware that their outdoor kitchen areas need renovations, most aren’t quite sure of where to start. For a project like this, the overall goals are to improve the appearance of the kitchen, its level of convenience, and its functionality.
That may seem pretty straightforward to those on the outside looking in, but to those who are faced with such a challenge, it’s not quite so simple. If you’re interested in getting ideas for your outdoor kitchen, keep reading for a few pointers.
Choose New Finishes
Some homeowners are happy with most of the aspects of their outdoor kitchens, but they’re a bit dissatisfied with the appearance.
In some cases, the original finishes of their appliances, cabinetry, and other elements have become weathered. In other instances, they simply wish they’d chosen different materials to begin with. Numerous options are available.
For appliances, stainless steel is a common choice. Veneers are on the market to alter the outward appearance of stainless steel appliances, so you can make them look like wood, painted surfaces, and even chalkboards.
These veneers can be applied to cabinets as well. If your appliances aren’t stainless steel but you’d prefer that look, veneers are available for that as well. Keep in mind, though, veneers may not last as long outdoors as they would indoors.
Revamp Flooring and Countertops
Flooring and countertops are also common concerns. If you have a deck-based outdoor kitchen, composite lumber might be a suitable option. This material lasts longer than wood and requires far less maintenance. For patio kitchens, marble, granite, and concrete are leading choices.
Those are popular options for countertops as well. All of them can withstand extreme temperatures, moisture, spills, and other hazards.
Change the Layout
Convenience is the key to getting the most use out of an outdoor kitchen. That means different things to different people. For some, their outdoor kitchens just aren’t set up with efficiency in mind. Rearranging the layout could improve the situation.
One example would be placing the food preparation area in a more suitable position between the stove and refrigerator or adding an island for extra counter space.
Others may want to add more amenities to the mix, such as incorporating a wine cooler and dishwasher to make the kitchen more inclusive. If you’d like to have a wood-fired pizza oven or smoker installed in the space, consider leaving some distance between that and the other components of the kitchen.
Think about how well suited the outdoor kitchen is to its primary users as well. You could add extra storage space or even have the countertops raised or lowered to make food preparation easier and more comfortable.
Improving Your Outdoor Kitchen
If you’re not happy with your outdoor kitchen, there’s no limit to the ways you could change it to make the layout and appearance more to your liking.
Keep surfaces and flooring in mind, and don’t overlook the setup of the space. Take some time to plan your outdoor kitchen redesign project before getting started, so you’ll be sure not to leave any important details out of the mix.
