Why Outdoor Kitchens Are a Must-Have for Modern Living
As outdoor dining continues to maintain its popularity, more people are considering how to make outdoor eating and entertaining at home more effortless. One solution is to build an outdoor kitchen, which brings meal prep outside to where the party is happening. Instead of making numerous trips indoors and missing out on socializing as dinner draws near, a well-designed outdoor kitchen keeps you in the center of the action and extends social events as you’re able to visit with family and friends while putting the finishing touches on the meal.
Having designed over 1000 outdoor kitchens and being significantly involved in many of the over 300 outdoor kitchens installed by ATBBQ, Outdoor Kitchen Expert Ryan Marko is well-versed in helping people realize their ideal space. He brings valuable knowledge and wisdom to the construction process and helps clients design outdoor kitchens around themes that meet specific goals, be it tying into the home's existing design, making a bold statement, or setting a particular mood.
“The goal is to ensure clients end up with a kitchen they will love for a long time,” Marko says. “So at the beginning of the process, I'll always ask people what they have in mind. I'll often have them send me photos I can use as a reference to put a detailed rendering together. And if they don't know exactly what they want, I'll propose different options to see how they land and then go from there.”
As you begin to explore what design elements you might want in an outdoor kitchen, here are some of our favorite timeless themes, as well as must-have outdoor appliances and functional additions you’ll want to consider for seamless entertaining.
Timeless Outdoor Kitchen Themes
After investing time and resources in an outdoor kitchen, the last thing you want is for it to feel outdated a few years in. Fortunately, our portfolio includes outdoor kitchens with tried and true themes guaranteed to stand the test of time.
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Rustic Charm: Embracing Wood and Stone Accents
Harness the breezy comfort of a rustic farmhouse or the Tuscan countryside by combining stone and wood elements. It’s a best-of-both-worlds aesthetic that will bring a durable beauty to an outdoor kitchen space
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Sleek and Modern: Minimalist Designs with Clean Lines
Go Hollywood with a clean and dynamic look that incorporates stainless steel, artfully framed by black waterfall granite counters and a stylish iridescent penny tile backsplash, all under a black matte range hood. It’s the perfect combination of shine and substance.
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Coastal Vibes: Light Colors and Nautical Touches
We can’t all be fortunate enough to own beachfront property. Still, it’s possible to harness coastal vibes in an outdoor kitchen with stone fixtures and a pergola embellished with simple light fixtures.
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Industrial Appeal: Metal Finishes and Exposed Elements
Go for more of a rough-and-tumble look by utilizing brick elements and metal finishes. Your grills and ovens are guaranteed to pop when set into this rugged foundation.
Must-Have Outdoor Kitchen Appliances
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Built-In Grills
The Yoder Smokers YS640s. With both high-heat direct grilling and lower-temperature indirect cooking capabilities, it can handle everything from a perfectly crusted ribeye steak to classic barbecued pulled pork. And with the addition of the Yoder Smokers Wood-Fired Oven and the Yoder Smokers Cast Iron Griddle, you can easily cook an entire meal on the grill, thanks to its ability to efficiently handle multi-zone cooking.
Whatever your preferred grilling apparatus, ATBBQ has you covered with plenty of options to choose from. -
Pizza Ovens: From Traditional to Portable
Pizza ovens are fast becoming a favorite for people who host outdoor gatherings. Check Out: The ATBBQ Guide To Choosing The Best Outdoor Pizza Oven -
Outdoor Refrigeration: Beverage Coolers and Ice Makers
Cut down on lugging heavy coolers around by installing an outdoor refrigerator. You can also kick things up a notch by including an ice maker. -
Warming Drawers for Keeping Food Ready to Serve
While the opportunity to linger in crisp evening air is a huge selling point for outdoor dining, it can wreak havoc on foods that are best served warm. Food warming drawers give you flexibility and help your meal flow.
Functional Additions for Seamless Entertaining
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Outdoor Sinks
An outdoor kitchen is plenty functional without a sink, but adding one is incredibly helpful for both food prep and cleanup. -
Outdoor Kitchen Storage
Protect your gear from the elements and keep everything organized with outdoor storage solutions. -
Access Doors
“We're using a lot of access doors under grills, under sinks, and anywhere you have utility hookups,” Marko says. “Most grills require an outlet, a tank, or a gas line. So you want a door that opens to space inside the framing, allowing you to access or shut off any hookups quickly.”
As with any design and build project, there are innumerable considerations when planning an outdoor kitchen. ATBBQ is available to assist in whatever ways you’d find most helpful. Whether you are looking for someone to design a project you can install yourself or you’re more comfortable with an outfit that can handle the project from start to finish, don’t hesitate to contact us to see how we can best help you realize your vision for an ideal outdoor entertainment space.
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