How to design the perfect outdoor kitchen

Giving thought and care and purpose to your outdoor spaces is our jam. It’s what we live and breathe when designing your surrounds. Approaching the outdoors with as much enthusiasm as you would you indoors and it’s why we absolutely love an outdoor kitchen.

If you’re embarking on your very own outdoor design project and considering another kitchen (I promise it’s a kitchen that will add value, not just be another one for you to clean). Here’s our top tips for you to consider.

Consider your cooking appliances

Outdoor built in gas bbq @artusi_kitchen_laundry_outdoor

Do you want a grill or BBQ? A smoker or a stove? Perhaps you fancy a pizza oven, or are keen on an open cooking fire? Don’t forget to consider every season when thinking about the food you want to cook and how you want to cook it!

Lighting

The Accent Light Hood from @gardens_at_night

Mood is kind of everything, isn’t it? If you want your outdoor kitchen to be as functional and beautiful as your indoor one, you need to have the right lighting. Lighting operates differently outdoors than it does indoors, so check with your landscape designer about the best options for your space. And don’t worry, we can certainly design the mood lighting for you.

Power

Are you going for a simple BBQ area or a sprawling cooking/dining space with all the latest bells and whistles? Making sure your power source is in the most efficient, effective place possible is really important.

Bench Space

Project Duntroon by @make_projects

This is a biggie guys – you’re going to want plenty of bench space! Think chopping, wrapping, eating, sitting, working – the possibilities are endless. Or for us, a place for the kids to tell us exactly how they want their sausage sandwiches cut. Am I right?

Storage Space is EVERYTHING  

Storage space is another essential – plenty of cupboards and drawers can make a big difference when it comes to functionality. You’re also going to want to think about a place to store the fuel you need for your appliance, such as wood, fire and gas.

Water & Waste

Keeping your outdoor kitchen fully functional is all about keeping things nice and tidy and clean! Make sure you’ve thought through the position of the sink or if you really need one – the last thing you want is running back and forth to the inside kitchen to wash plates.

Shelter

Gosh, this is a big one. You definitely don’t want to find yourself trying to cook the perfect scotch fillet in the pouring rain (i mean, you’ve got a reputation to uphold), so make sure there’s plenty of shelter for those hot or rainy days. And on top of that, make it comfortable – have you seen @lifeoutdoors and the fancy @versiclad pergolas’? They’re insulated and they are awesome. 

Entertainment

I love to listen to music when I cook – do you? Think speakers a fully-stocked bar – the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your ideal outdoor space.

Seating

Project Duntroon in all it’s outdoor dining goodness @make_projects

Cooking needs company, right? Maybe you’ve built an outdoor kitchen for you and the boys to kick back in and prepare a delicious meal for the wives? Or maybe it’s going to be more like a second family room – another dining area for you to talk about your day with your gorgeous kids. Whatever the purpose, consider where you’ll put your bums. A comfy couple of chairs from @Globewest, or a long timber dining table. Make room for a place to put your feet up.

We live in a beautiful climate which allows us to spend so many of our hours outdoors. Make those moments count.

Ready to talk your dream outdoor kitchen? So are we. Let us design it for you, get in touch today.