How Outdoor Kitchens Extend Your Entertaining Space

Why You Should Add an Alfresco Cooking and Dining Area

An outdoor kitchen is one of the most frequently used and appreciated projects you can do for your home, delivering a second area to prep and cook food while guests mingle. This extra cooking space offers versatility, flexibility, and additional areas.

You don’t need a large kitchen to accommodate a full menu. Outdoor pizza ovens, griddle stations, and heavy-duty appliances can do a lot of the work. The kitchen may start out as a smaller project that becomes a larger one as your entertaining needs evolve. You may even find an outdoor kitchen is more enjoyable than cooking indoors. Before you begin, here a few design ideas for outdoor kitchens:

Indoor/Outdoor Elements

If you have an outdoor space with a covered roof, consider adding accordion windows and a ledge for bar seating that connects the indoors and outside. This casual setup allows guests to spend time with the cook while they prepare meals. It also makes serving simple and easy. The windows can be closed in cold or rainy weather.

Cooking Elements

A pizza oven is a fun addition that can cook a wide range of meals you wouldn’t be able to cook on a grill. They delight kids and guests alike. If your family doesn’t eat that much pizza, consider adding an outdoor grill or griddle that’s built into the outer wall of the kitchen. You can also add an ice maker, wine fridge, or kegerator.

Adding Warmth

Outdoor heaters are energy efficient, quiet, and practical workhorses. You can make your outdoor living area cozy year-round with a large fireplace or electronic heaters. They extend outdoor entertaining for months. If you’re having family for the holidays, an outdoor area is extremely helpful when hosting parties and events.

Ambient Lighting

You can instantly enhance a space with cozy LED lighting. It’s the perfect way to increase beauty and usability at night. A well-conceived lighting plan will also highlight a property’s focal points and add new life to your space after dark. Lighting also helps boost security and increases safety around your home.

If you’re looking for design inspiration, visit DiSabatino Design Build’s online portfolio of outdoor kitchens here.