Building an Outdoor Kitchen

Is an outdoor kitchen right for you?

Do you love the summer because it means you can spend more time outside? Do you enjoy entertaining and hosting outdoor parties as often as you can while the weather is warm?

If you do, an outside kitchen may be just the project for you for this summer.

Planning your outdoor kitchen design is the first place to start.

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The first thing you need to do is determine exactly what it is you want in an outside kitchen.

Do you plan on assembling and arranging an assortment of outdoor kitchen appliances and accessories, or would you prefer to have it all built in?

If you are going to be building any sort of structure, visit your local municipal office or planning authority to find out if you need a building permit before you go any further.

Determining now if you will need to procure a building permit and what that process involves will save you a lot of time and energy and cut down drastically on the headache factor.

Assess the size and location of the space you have available for your outside kitchen. Once you have determined where it will be located and how much room you have to work with, start to think about what appliances you would like to incorporate into your outdoor kitchen plans.

A barbecue or grilling area is the first obvious choice. There is a large selection of built in grills available to choose from.

You may also want to consider a work space, storage area, lighting, a beverage center, extra burners, a sink or even a pizza oven in your outdoor kitchen plans. Other accessories are available as well - even an outdoor TV! The possibilities really are endless.

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Now begin to look at what is available in the market for appliances. There are wonderful all in one units available now that combine the grill with a storage area, and a refrigerator and possibly even a seating area (a few are pictured here. Click on them for more information). If you have a smaller area available, that may be the perfect solution.

If your outdoor kitchen design is a built-in structure, it is important now to plan where each item will go. Think about how you will work in your kitchen and where you want to put things so they will be handy when you need them.

If there will be more than one cook in your kitchen, it is also important to think about how people will use the space and ensure that you have planned enough room for free movement.

Your Outdoor Kitchen Budget

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Budget will obviously be a consideration in the planning of your outdoor kitchen. For example, if you want a sink and lighting in your design, you will have to factor in the cost of installing the plumbing and wiring.

If diy carpentry is not a skill of yours, you will need to hire a contractor to build your structure and install the appliances. Get several quotes from qualified professionals BEFORE you buy anything. It is important to determine the full cost of the project before you begin. Once you have your outdoor kitchen designed and costed out, begin to have fun shopping for the other accessories and products you will need o make your next pool side party a success - patio furniture, cookware, tools, dinnerware, fire pits and decor items. Don't forget child safety as well. Building a kitchen outdoors has it challenges, and can certainly be an investment in time and money, but the enjoyment you will get from it over the years is well worth the effort.


Incorporate your outdoor kitchen into your home landscape plan. Here are some landscaping tips to help.

Once your outdoor kitchen is ready to go, you'll need some great recipes to take advantage of your space throughout the year. You'll find tasty outdoor recipe ideas here at Best-Kitchen-Ideas.com.