Outdoor kitchens, bars, and dining areas are all the rage right now. Incorporating modern and trendy outdoor kitchen accessories into your architectural landscape design can enhance your property value and create a relaxing, inviting atmosphere for any guests.
Boost Your Property Value
Well-crafted outdoor hardscapes are hard to come by on the real estate market. Homeowners who add attractive features to their backyards, such as pools and spas or outdoor living spaces, will find vast improvements in their property value.
Don’t think of backyard improvements as “keeping up with the Joneses.” Instead, reap the benefits of installing useful accessories in your beautiful backyard kitchen. Add to your home’s existing curb appeal and boost your property value in the event you ever want to sell.
Plus, you still have a beautiful entertaining space for friends, family, and neighbors to enjoy if you choose to stay. Installing an outdoor kitchen in your backyard is really a no-brainer. Begin planning your design with an experienced landscape architect. Make a mental note of the attractive appliances and accessories you wish to include in your dream backyard kitchen.
8 Essential Additions to Your Outdoor Kitchen
These days, outdoor kitchens are more popular than ever among suburban property owners. Basic models that were once considered state-of-the-art years ago are now obsolete without additional modern accessories and appliances.
If you are building an outdoor kitchen in your backyard, consider installing the following outdoor kitchen accessories to add style, functionality, and value to the design:
1. Built-in Refrigerators and Freezers
Most people build an outdoor kitchen to entertain family and friends in the warmer months. This means that ease of access to cooking materials is a paramount priority. Installing built-in fridges and freezers makes it simple to stash away ice, mixers, pre-made dishes, and other perishable items. Refrigerators and freezers are a must-have amenity for any at-home outdoor chef.
2. Wine Coolers
If someone in your family prefers to sit back by the pool with a glass of wine in hand, don’t worry; there is another outdoor kitchen accessory on the market to appease the pool-side sommelier. Wine coolers are widely available in a range of sizes, designs, and price points, making it easy to find one that fits perfectly within your budget.
3. Weather-Resistant Cabinets
Another essential design aspect for an outdoor kitchen is weather-resistant cabinets. Rain, wind, and other weathering elements can wreak havoc on your backyard landscape. Weatherproof cabinet materials that can withstand such external impacts include:
- Stainless steel
- Marine-grade polymer (think boats)
- Bamboo
- Teak
- Stone
- PVC
Sturdy, weatherproof cabinets keep cups, dishes, and other items dry while also ensuring that pests stay out of the area. You can enjoy long-lasting cabinets made from materials like stainless steel for years to come.
4. Smokers and Grills
Home grilling and smoking meats are two big hobbies on the rise in recent years. Having a smoker or huge, stainless steel grill installed in your outdoor kitchen is a surefire way to keep the hubby happy.
You can spend the entire summer smoking delicious, tender proteins and pleasing the neighborhood kids with piles of grilled hot dogs and juicy hamburgers. Smokers and built-in grills are both excellent additions to an outdoor kitchen design.
5. Pergolas
Now, you can’t have a comfortable outdoor space without some additional cool, shaded areas. While towering trees can undoubtedly help, sometimes artificial shade structures are necessary to get an adequate escape from the sun.
You can install a pergola above your outdoor kitchen or dining space to allow more consistent amounts of shade throughout the day. Your family and guests will be glad you opted for a pergola on those entirely-too-hot mid-summer days that the humid Midwest is known to produce.
6. Extra Counter Space
Another amenity every home chef needs in their outdoor kitchen is a lot – and we mean a lot – of counter space. There is nothing more frustrating than entertaining guests and cooking simultaneously with small amounts of counter space.
Outdoor kitchen countertops are often made from the following materials:
- Granite
- Quartzite
- Concrete
- Marble
- Slate
- Porcelain tile
- Ipe wood
These materials are the most popular options for outdoor kitchens due to their durability and weatherproofing. Opt for a long, L-shaped countertop with bar stools to create a hangout space, or position a large, staggering kitchen island in the area’s center for your friends and family to gather around.
7. Open-Flame Outdoor Stoves
If you still feel like you don’t have enough cooking accessories in your outdoor kitchen, consider adding an open-flame stovetop to the design. You can officially cook everything exactly as you would in an indoor kitchen with an outdoor gas stovetop.
Multiple main burners and additional, smaller side burners make it easy to cook many dishes at once in your outdoor kitchen. Just remember to keep the stove covered during inclement weather to increase the appliance’s lifespan.
8. Pizza Ovens
Finally, one of the more fun, family-friendly items on our list is an outdoor pizza oven. There are several options available to suit your outdoor kitchen’s style. Brick pizza ovens look beautiful against a marble or tile countertop. If you prefer a fast-cooking option, install an outdoor wood-fired pizza range for pizza nights for the family that are as easy as one, two, three.
Building the Backyard of Your Dreams
Your backyard should have a healthy atmosphere of happiness and relaxation. At the end of a long day of work, it’s essential that you are able to utilize your backyard landscape without having to worry about anything. A well-executed outdoor kitchen design with modern, up-to-date appliances can make outdoor cooking a complete breeze.
When designing the backyard of your dreams, consult with an experienced landscape architect to determine all of your desired accessories. Beautiful outdoor kitchens are made complete by smart, useful appliances that make life easier.
After the construction of your outdoor kitchen ends, it’s time to enjoy all the additional amenities from your wishlist. Cook a delicious meal, sit down with family and friends on your custom patio furniture, and share the joys of your amazing, new outdoor kitchen.