▷ Modern outdoor kitchen: some advice for installation

An outdoor kitchen must be comfortable and functional. Find out how to install one in your garden – here are some tips to get you on your way.

The outdoor kitchen is only one of the functional areas of the land and there may be several. In our courses”My garden project” we will advise you on how to correctly divide the functional areas in an empty lot and what are the most important things to know before starting.

Setting up an outdoor kitchen can be quite simple (for example, if it will only be a place for the grill), but much more complicated if you dream of a cooking area complete with sink, refrigerator and set of outdoor furniture.

Depending on where and how you plan to set up your outdoor kitchen, there are a few things you should pay attention to.

Assess your needs

When planning the installation of an outdoor kitchen, always think about how you cook and what is most important to you in this process:

If you like to cook in large companies, allocate more space. Integrate the food production area into the recreation area so that the guest does not have to cook while looking away. Everything must be nearby: a place to prepare food and a party.
If you pay less attention to cooking, but spend more parties with friends, invest more in a comfortable and spacious party venue;
If food is not a priority for you, you may see the need to set up a separate garden room with a large fireplace around which a large company can sit;
If you want to use the outdoor kitchen every day, preparing food for the family, set up a specially designated place, protected from rain, with all communications: water, sewage, electricity.

Once you have clarified your family’s priorities, it will be easier to decide what type of outdoor kitchen you need: large or small, with many different accessories or very simple. This is the first step.

Decide on electricity

During planning you should decide whether you will need electricity in the outdoor kitchen. If you would like to have an electric grill or electrically controlled devices in this area, you need to know this in advance.

This is ideal if you provide access to electricity during construction. Run the electrical cable to the area where you plan to set up an outdoor kitchen later, so you have fewer problems later. Otherwise you will have to hire an electrician and digging equipment, which will cost additionally.

Or maybe you don’t need electricity in your outdoor kitchen at all? For example, you will not need electricity if you prepare food on the barbecue and store all the products in the refrigerator at home. It goes without saying that electricity is also not required for barbecues and fireplaces.

However, if you want to extend the season, outdoor lighting will be very useful in autumn. Plus, you can use this rest area to work from home, so you can easily charge your computer or phone.

Provide running water

A tap with running water is something you should definitely consider installing, especially if your outdoor kitchen will be away from your home.

Grilling and cooking outdoors is often a complicated process, so running water in an outdoor kitchen is necessary not only for cleaning dishes or utensils, but also for washing your hands.

If it is not possible to bring water to the outdoor kitchen area, try to make access to it as easy as possible. If you have a boiler room with a sink and a separate outlet, you can install an outdoor kitchen next to it. Otherwise it is advisable to provide a comfortable passage through the terrace to the home kitchen.

Know how to save

If you want to save money and install a more modest outdoor kitchen, which does not require hiring a designer, plumber and electrician, pay attention to the following solutions:

A modular outdoor kitchen is probably the best choice for those who have enough space. Installing such a kitchen is often inexpensive, and you can assemble different kitchen components to suit your needs.
If you don’t have enough space for a fully modular kitchen, choose a freestanding grill and install a small dining area next to it. For example, set up a table with several chairs.
Outdoor carts with wheels are a versatile solution when you need more storage and serving space, but don’t want to spend a lot of money on another cabinet.
Don’t underestimate manual labor: you can always make (or at least embellish) outdoor kitchen furniture yourself.

Carts can provide additional utility space if you're looking for a more modest solution. photo Pixabay.com

Create comfort with details

The practical and cold design is not the best solution for an outdoor kitchen. It’s important that people want to stay and socialize in this area, not just eat and disperse.

Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild and use the following things in your outdoor kitchen:

Cushions, blankets and rugs add softness to the outdoor space. Place them where you will sit to eat. If it is an enclosed space, you can leave these things for the entire summer season.
Illuminated outdoor garlands create a welcoming atmosphere and serve as background lighting.
Exterior lights are another great design accent. It’s nice to be next to them and you don’t have to sit in complete darkness.
Potted outdoor plants bring more life to the space. Play with colors and textures, plant plants of different heights in pots and the view will immediately become more interesting.

You can find ideas for potted plants Here.

Create a spice nursery

What is an outdoor kitchen without herbs: It can be mint, parsley, thyme, tarragon or other herbs you like. You can find the list of what I have sown in this article.

For example, rosemary and basil give off a wonderful scent, decorate the room and, above all, they can be used in the kitchen.

The closer this nursery is to the outdoor kitchen, the more convenient it will be for you. Imagine grilling steaks and picking fresh sprigs of rosemary at the same time. Or you’re making homemade lemonade and can immediately enjoy it with mint leaves.

Many ornamental plants can also be used for food purposes. Edible rose petals, lavender leaves, pansy flowers – they all have their niche in the kitchen, so don’t be afraid to decorate your spice garden with flowers too.