How To Design An Outdoor Kitchen
Looking to entertain more outdoors and determine how to include an outdoor kitchen? Writer Marianne Lipanovic from Houzz USA, helps you determine your outdoor living needs, configuration and size below.
You’re ready to take your outdoor space to the next level with an outdoor kitchen. You’ve researched barbecues and appliances and know which features are on your ‘must have’ list. But before you begin buying and building, it’s important to think about other considerations too. Read on to learn more about how to choose the best kitchen size and layout for your needs, key measurements to keep in mind and other details that may come into play.
What’s The Best Size For My Outdoor Kitchen?
Your kitchen’s size will depend on your available space, how you plan to use it – it might cater to family time or to large gatherings – and what you want to include. For a small yard or patio, you’ll want to look at more simple and efficient layouts, such as a linear layout or an island. If you have more room, an L-shaped or U-shaped layout can help you make the most of your outdoor kitchen’s functionality and fun factor. Whatever size kitchen you want, plan to have enough space for food prep, cooking, serving and cleaning up. Think about how many people will want to be cooking or prepping food at the same time, and include enough space so people can move around easily. Ideally, you want it to be large enough to be comfortable but not so large that it isn’t efficient.
Choosing An Outdoor Kitchen Layout
Layout options range from a single bench-and-barbecue combination to an elaborate multi-sided installation. Remember, unlike indoor kitchens, you usually won’t have four walls to define the space. Instead, you’ll use the benchtops and cabinets to create the ‘room’.
Linear Or Straight-Run Kitchens
An outdoor kitchen with a long bench that houses your barbecue, food-prep area and serving space – with storage underneath and perhaps a refrigerator or other appliances – is a great set-up for a smaller space. There’s room for one person to barbecue, with food and tools at hand, and possibly enough space for another person to do food-prep work. The length of the kitchen and the ends of the benchtop are open, so access is easy.Setting a kitchen against the wall of a house or along the fence will give you a spot to install lighting above the barbecue and benchtop or add storage shelves (or even a chalkboard for fun messages). The disadvantage will be that the cook’s back will be to the guests, the dining area and the action. You can also anchor one side of a linear kitchen to the house or fence and turn it into a peninsula, which would open up the kitchen on three sides.
Island Kitchen
A similar approach would be to install a barbecuing island, which is a more social design that includes the cook in the action. “You want the cook to be able to engage with family and friends,” says John Algozzini of KD Landscape in Chicago, USA. These standalone barbecuing stations or all-in-one kitchen layouts are open on all four sides, allowing easy access for both the cook and other guests. Setting an outdoor kitchen island at the edge or along one side of your alfresco dining area ensures that the cook will have a great view. You are not limited to only a barbecue and some bench space for an island, especially if you want a custom design. You can add appliances and extend its length or width to allow for dining space.
L-shaped Kitchen
One of the most popular and flexible outdoor kitchen layouts is an L-shaped set-up. It lets you spread out the work areas with plenty of open space for people to move around as well as create an efficient work triangle. Because an L-shaped kitchen layout only requires two sides, you’ll have more room for a dining area and easy access. A favourite L-shaped layout is to place the barbecue on one leg of the unit, then have the rest of the food prep and serving spaces, a bar area or a dining benchtop on the other leg. If you can also incorporate a view for everyone to enjoy, so much the better.
Outdoor Kitchen Measurements To Keep In Mind
Your outdoor kitchen spaces should be comfortable for both cooks and guests. Keep reading for some size and measurement guidelines to consider when you’re adding an outdoor kitchen.
Benchtops & Bars
Your benchtop length will vary, depending on your overall space and the amenities you want to add. “We typically say the minimum length for a kitchen would be 1.8 metres, which gives room for a barbecue and to have a bench area on both sides,” says Rob Douglass of Texas Custom Patios in Houston, USA. The benchtop can also double as a landing space for anything you pull from an under-bench bar fridge.
Width: The recommended width for a basic benchtop (as with interior kitchens) is 600 millimetres, although you may want to go wider if you’re planning to use it as a dining area.
Height: The standard height for a working benchtop is 900 to 920 millimetres. If you are keen to incorporate a table-height benchtop as well, it should be about 750 millimetres to work well with standard-height dining chairs. If you don’t want a benchtop that is too low, consider raising the height and using slightly taller stools or chairs. Bar-style benchtops are usually 1,100 millimetres high.
Cabinetry
Your cabinets will correspond with your benchtop width and height. Most cabinet depths are 600 millimetres, but you can adapt them to fit with your barbecue and other appliances, such as a bar fridge.
Dining Areas
Having a comfortable spot for dining is also essential for any outdoor kitchen. For bench or bar seating, allow at least 600 millimetres for each person and 600 millimetres behind the stools or chairs – more if the space behind bar stools is used as a walkway (in this case, aim for at least 900 millimetres; 1,100 is ideal). For dining tables, a total of at least 1,300 millimetres around the table is ideal and will allow space for diners to push their chairs back when getting up or down from their seats.
Other Considerations For Your Outdoor Kitchen’s Size & Layout
The last step is to decide where everything will go in the kitchen during the planning stage to be sure you have the space you need. The placement of the barbecue is paramount in any kitchen. It should be easy to get to and have benchtops on either side. If you’re adding a refrigerator or snack area, place it at one end of the kitchen so it’s easily accessed without getting in the way of the cook. Think of other amenities you’ll want to add – from meat smokers and side barbecues to pizza ovens – to plan the best use of your space.
Here at Hurst Homes we offer complete customised homes that can be as individual as the owner. We guide your through the entire process including your selections to ensure you create your dream home. Just another reason why we are considered Waggas best builder. With over 30 years in the industry as a Wagga Builder you can trust Hurst Homes with your dream home. For information on our upcoming custom wagga house & land packages, contact us today on 0438 692 962 or fill out the contact us page on our website.
For more tips from the Houzz experts visit Houzz.com.au