How to create the perfect outdoor kitchen

As we head towards the summer months, people are starting to gravitate back outdoors into the sunshine and the promise of al fresco living. Designed to make this most of this is the outdoor kitchen, which has risen in popularity thanks to recent trends from the US and closer to home in Scandinavia. Outdoor kitchen spaces marry together hosting and entertaining outdoors with the ease and functionality of a proper kitchen.

If you think an outdoor kitchen could be the perfect addition to your garden, especially for the months to come, read on and find out how you can create your own.

Choose your location

While it can be tempting to choose the most eye-catching part of your garden to host your new outdoor kitchen, make sure to consider functionality and accessibility. You’ll need access to electricity, water (should you wish to include an outdoor sink), and to your indoor kitchen.

You’ll also want to make sure that the location for your outdoor kitchen is pretty sheltered if you can. It should be protected from the worst of the elements and in a part of the garden that hopefully catches some sun so that you and your guests can enjoy the weather while the food is cooking.

Decide on your style

Outdoor kitchens come in a wide range of styles and layouts, all depending on personal preference. The key question to keep in your mind when deciding on the style of your kitchen is: what do I want to use this kitchen for?

This will shape not only how your kitchen is laid out, but also what materials and décor to choose, and what appliances to include. If you’re looking to use your outdoor kitchen during the summer months for simple BBQs and hosting your friends, focusing on a small kitchen area and a larger social section could be the best choice – you may only need a small food prep countertop area and a grill.

However, if you’re looking to use your kitchen all year round, you may want to consider more amenities to help make the outdoor kitchen more than a feature, or even a space that provides as much functionality as its indoor counterpart. This could include anything from an outdoor fridge and fully functional hob to an ice maker and drink dispenser to give your guests everything they need without having to head into the house.

Choose a style that suits you and your ideas for space, and you should end up with the perfect outdoor kitchen for you.

Safeguard from the weather

An outdoor kitchen will be subject to a number of different weather conditions, from high heat and sunshine to rain and possibly even snow. For that reason, your outdoor kitchen must be resilient and protected from the worst effects of this weather to make sure it stays in top-notch condition.

Using a durable material for all work surfaces is definitely an essential part of creating your perfect outdoor kitchen. You want something that is built to last and will look just good even years down the line. Stainless steel, tile, and our personal favourite – stone – are all great at resisting the elements. Not only does stone, such as granite, marble or quartz, really lend itself to the natural feel of an outdoor kitchen, it’s also incredibly durable and can be treated to withstand all weather conditions. If you’re looking to use natural stone for your outdoor kitchen, contact us and our specialist team will be able to create a bespoke piece to fit all your requirements and last you a long time.

Finally, don’t forget to safeguard your appliances. Anything that you plug in, such as a kettle or radio, can be taken inside if the weather gets bad, but what about fridges or grills? In this situation, start yourself off on the right foot by making sure you buy a fridge or grill specifically for outside use; you can’t just use an indoor one since it won’t be made to withstand the weather and won’t last as long. You can also get custom made covers for when you aren’t using the items.

If you’re looking for a worktop for your outdoor kitchen, our experienced team at County Stone and Granite will be more than happy to help you choose the perfect stone to tie your whole kitchen together. Whether that’s granite, quartz, or something else, your bespoke kitchen worktop is in the best hands with us. Get a quote and start creating your perfect outdoor kitchen today.