Building an outdoor kitchen gives you new opportunities for outdoor cooking, boosts the value of your home, and provides you with an excuse for hosting countless parties in the future. If you choose to build a custom outdoor kitchen, you'll have practically limitless possibilities, meaning you'll get exactly what you want.
So what are the most important customizations to consider? And how do you begin this process?
The Value of a Custom Outdoor Kitchen
Creating and installing a custom outdoor kitchen comes with many independent benefits, including:
· Home value increases. The estimated return on investment (ROI) for an outdoor kitchen varies, depending on which source you consult. The lowest estimate implies an ROI of 54 percent, but some studies suggest that an outdoor kitchen could return up to 200 percent of its value to your home. No matter what, you're going to add value to your home. When it's time to sell your home, you'll be able to sell it for more. That doesn't necessarily mean you should install a custom outdoor kitchen right before you sell your house and move, but it does mean you'll get back at least some of your investment when it comes time to sell.
· More kitchen space. Have you ever run out of kitchen space? Have you ever wished you had an extra oven or refrigerator? Having an outdoor kitchen solves these problems and more, giving you more total kitchen space than you ever thought possible.
· Outdoor cooking. Many people dream of having outdoor kitchens so they can spend more time outside. Cooking outside gives you more fresh air, makes cleanup easier, and reduces odors in your home.
· Backyard beautification. For some people, installing an outdoor kitchen is a way of beautifying the backyard. It's an installation that can fit your aesthetic needs and make your outdoor space more interesting, unique, and inviting.
· An excuse for more gatherings. Speaking of inviting, a custom outdoor kitchen means you'll have an excuse to host more gatherings. People will love hanging out in your beautiful backyard while you prepare food for everyone.
Key Considerations for Your Outdoor Kitchen
If you want to design your outdoor kitchen from scratch, these are the most important considerations:
· Layout and size. How big do you want your outdoor kitchen to be? How do you want it to be shaped and laid out? There are truly endless possibilities here, so the biggest limitations will likely be available backyard space and your budget.
· Appliances. Do you want a stove and an oven? Do you want a grill? What about a separate refrigerator or freezer? Appliances will dictate the functionality of your kitchen.
· Utility hookups. Depending on what you want from your outdoor kitchen, you may need lines and hookups for utilities like electricity, natural gas, and water. This may increase your costs, but give you much more convenient access to the resources you need here.
· Storage. Without ample storage, any kitchen is going to get out of control – and outdoor kitchens are no different. Carefully consider what types of cabinets, drawers, and other forms of storage you want available in your outdoor kitchen.
· Materials. From granite to natural stone and stainless steel, there are countless options for materials to use in your outdoor kitchen. Both functionality and aesthetics should be considered here.
Getting Started
Not sure how to get started?
You can begin by evaluating the following:
· Space. How much space do you have, and are there any inherent limitations to that space? Depending on the size and layout of your backyard, you may be restricted on how big your outdoor kitchen is or how it's shaped.
· Budget. How much are you willing to spend on this outdoor kitchen? If you have a firm number in mind, it will be much easier for you to make decisions (and possibly compromises) about things like appliances and materials.
· Style. How do you want your kitchen to look overall? Are you looking for something sleek and modern or more natural and rustic? What does the rest of your yard look like? What does the rest of your house look like? And how is your outdoor kitchen going to fit?
· Ability/willingness. Finally, think about whether you have the skills or willingness to build your outdoor kitchen on your own. If not, you can always hire contractors to do the work for you – just make sure you do your due diligence when hiring.
Once you have a better idea of your limitations and preferences, you can begin the process of designing and securing the components for your outdoor kitchen. You can work with a contractor, build it yourself, order prefabricated units, or build everything from scratch. It's totally up to you!