Picture this, you’re in your backyard, working the BBQ with a cold drink in hand. The snags have just gone on and…. Oh bugger, you forgot to grab the plates. You dash inside to grab a stack of plates, but your mum, who’s visiting, stops you to tell you the latest news.
“Ahh mum, I’m in a rush,” you say.
“This will only be quick,” she responds.
After getting through the conversation as quickly as your “yeps” and “uh huhs” allow, you get back outside only to see the snags are charcoaled on one side and raw on the other.
If only you could have gotten those plates without needing to go inside. Okay, maybe that story is a bit of an exaggeration, but we’ve all had something similar happen.
If you’re like us, you love an outdoor BBQ, but one common headache is constantly moving between indoors and outdoors while preparing everything for the grill. A backyard kitchen solves that issue and lets you spend more time with friends and family instead of rushing around.
Planning on building an outdoor kitchen? Follow our tips to make sure you get the best functioning and most stylish outdoor kitchen possible.
Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
As far as outdoor kitchen designs go, three styles are the most popular. Each comes with different selling points and price ranges, so read on to find your best fit.
Small BBQ + Benchtop
First is the most simple backyard barbecue upgrade. We’re talking about the BBQ island, which gives you a bit more preparation space. These usually consist of a built-in BBQ grill and a decent-sized workstation beside it. A design like this should only take up two metres or so, making it the most space-conscious design. Offering storage drawers underneath or a pocket to store a bar fridge, it’s a popular entry point for people who don’t want to splurge on a massive build. If you plan on building an outdoor kitchen by yourself, this is also the easiest DIY project.
Complete Kitchen
Featuring all the bells and whistles, a complete outdoor kitchen design makes entertaining a dream. Equipped with a built-in BBQ, sink, plenty of storage and fridge, plus any other additions you want (pizza oven, cooktop, etc.), a complete kitchen gives your access to everything you need. Slap a TV on the wall and you may not want to come back inside.
Serving Window
If your outdoor area borders onto your existing kitchen, it may be more space and price-conscious to knock down a wall and add a kitchen serving window. The open window lets you cook inside and easily serve up once you’re done. Instead of building an outdoor kitchen, this lets you utilise your interior one without feeling excluded from what’s going on outside. Other than renovation costs, you won’t need to purchase any extra appliances since you’ll have full access to your indoor kitchen.
Kitchen Shapes
Out of the above options, if you’ve chosen to go with the top-of-the-range choice and build a complete outdoor kitchen, you also get the most customisation options. These renovations can be space-consuming, so check out a few shapes to determine which is best for you.
U-shape
The U-shape outdoor kitchen does a great job of keeping everything within arm’s reach. This design is one of the bulkiest, as it walls off an entire zone for kitchen use only. Still, few things match the practicality of extra bench space right by your side.
Single-Line
Usually set against a joining wall between the outdoor area and the house, a single-line kitchen puts everything together on one strip. It’s great for saving space, but can also make it harder to reach each separate section.
Island
This puts you in the centre of the space, so the chef is never out of the conversation. An island kitchen acts as a great social hub as everyone gathers around the one platform and the person manning the grill doesn’t have their back to the party. It does, however, take up a lot of space and makes the kitchen the centre focal point of your alfresco area.
L-shape
Usually an extension of the single-line kitchen, an L-shape hooks around a corner to provide extra bench space, or enough room to home another appliance. It can either be pressed against the corner of the house or face out toward the yard.
Design Considerations
Weather Resistance
Your outdoor kitchen should be able to handle anything mother nature throws at it, and let’s be honest, a few spills. To ensure you’re getting the longest life out of your appliances and cabinetry, make sure you purchase weather-resistant materials and products. For that reason, stainless steel BBQ’s are a favourite and so are concrete or stone countertops. Good shade is important to limit how often your outdoor kitchen is exposed to the elements.
Appliances & Features
Your outdoor kitchen offers the opportunity to have appliances you wouldn’t be able to use inside. You should always start with a reliable BBQ, but if you have the space, you can look into a smoker, pizza oven or even outdoor fireplace.
An outdoor fridge means a cold beverage is never far away and can reduce foot traffic indoors, meaning less mopping when your guests leave. Sound like a win-win to us!
BBQing is done best at night, so make sure your outdoor kitchen can be fitted with lights. An insulated patio can be fitted with lighting and cooling systems, but a single-skin patio cannot. If a patio installation is part of your kitchen plans, make sure to ask your builder about the potential of lighting.
Function of the Space
Building an outdoor kitchen should never overpower the purpose of your patio, which usually is to entertain or socialise. During the designing stage, make sure the kitchen compliments the existing sitting areas instead of interrupting them.
Clearance & Ventilation
Ventilation does more than just get rid of smoke and odours. It stops fumes and grease from staining your kitchen surfaces. For maximum airflow, we recommend a fly-over patio, which is attached above the facia line of your home, allowing natural ventilation to flow under the roof.
Another option is a gable patio that offers higher ceilings so smoke can rise without smothering people underneath. A facia-fixed patio can still offer great ventilation, but you may want to position cooking areas closer to the open area so smoke can freely exit.
Get Great Shade For Your Outdoor Kitchen Build
Any good alfresco area needs consistent and cool shade! Enjoy countless nights cooking outside with friends and family. SEQ Patio Group will set you up with the patio of your dreams. Plus, our interest-free repayment options allow you to build now and pay later. Call us today!
