Build the Outdoor Kitchen of Your Dreams!
Spending time on your deck with family and friends is one of the best parts of summer, which explains the popularity of outdoor kitchens.
Imagine turning your current outdoor living space into the ultimate gathering spot for your family and friends. Building an outdoor kitchen will not only expand your living space but it will also enhance your home’s value.
Decks by Schmillen has been designing and installing outdoor kitchens for our customers for years. We have installed everything from a simple built-in grill to a complete mini-kitchen featuring a refrigerator and fully operational sink. We have the experience to help you create the kitchen of your dreams utilizing your current space. This blog will walk through the steps to make your outdoor kitchen dreams a reality!
Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen on Your Deck
Some of the top benefits of building an outdoor kitchen on your deck or patio are:
Enhances Your Living and Entertaining Space
- An outdoor kitchen will expand your usable living space
- It can help to create a seamless flow from indoors to outdoors
- The new outdoor kitchen will become the center for social gatherings
Increases Your Home’s Value
- An outdoor kitchen can add significant value to your home
- This kind of addition usually provides a great return on investment
- If you have to sell in the future, the stylish outdoor living space will help attract buyers
Convenience and Functionality
- It will help eliminate the need to run back and forth while grilling
- It helps to keep your indoor kitchen tidy and clean
- We can build you an outdoor kitchen with all the necessary appliances
Designing Your New Outdoor Kitchen
When you are going through the design process with a builder, there are a few considerations that you will need to keep in mind:
Layout
During the design process, you will want to apply many of the layout plans used for an indoor kitchen, such as the “work triangle” – position the cooking, cleaning, and food prep in a triangular layout to maximize your efficiency.
You also want to ensure the kitchen fits comfortably into your outdoor living space. Consider the following:
- The dimensions and shape of the deck. How can you optimize the space for cooking and socializing?
- Ensure people can move around and socialize without disrupting the cooking.
- Plan to have adequate storage and counter space available.
Two of the most effective designs are the L-shaped layout and the incorporation of an island.
- L-Shaped – This style of layout efficiently utilizes a compact area by fitting cozily into a corner of the deck. The L-shape optimizes your workspace and allows for ample counter space.
- Island – Adding an island maximizes the flow and functionality of your kitchen area. It will centralize your cooking appliances, prep space, and storage while allowing guests to move around feely. This layout seems to be particularly effective on narrow or irregularly shaped decks.
Choosing the Right Appliances and Materials
Purchasing the materials and appliances for an outdoor kitchen requires more attention to detail than a regular kitchen. These appliances will be exposed to the elements, so ensuring that they can withstand the Colorado weather is essential.
The most common appliance is a built-in grill with countertops. We can also install fully operational sinks and mini-refrigerators. Depending on the appliances, we can install water, gas, and electrical as needed.
We have also installed ceiling heaters where the owners have a deck cover. The heaters make it much more comfortable to cook year-round and dine outside most of the year.
Adding an outdoor kitchen to your deck will expand your living and entertainment spaces and increase your home’s value. Working together, we can design and build a versatile, inviting space that seamlessly integrates into your lifestyle.
For a durable, high-quality, modern outdoor kitchen, the experts at Decks by Schmillen!
719-440-6966
decksbyschmillen@gmail.com
