Outdoor Kitchen Inspiration

Fall may be here, but fortunately for Floridians there are still plenty of warm evenings to enjoy outside. Make the most of these remaining days – or begin planning for next summer’s fun – with an outdoor kitchen. When hosting a gathering, no one wants to be stuck in the kitchen while guests mingle out back. So say goodbye to loneliness and bring the kitchen out to the party with these tips and ideas for a beautiful outdoor cooking setup.

The most important qualities of any outdoor furniture or appliances are their weatherability (how well they exist outdoors with little to no damage) and their durability.

• Stainless steel is lauded while inside, and is even more of a superhero outside. It will not rust, so you don’t have to worry about permanent stainless steel appliances you may have outdoors such as a grill or stove.
• Brick pavers are inexpensive, easy to lay, and can be used to construct great additions to an outdoor patio kitchen space.
• Build a low wall around the patio to give your landscape structure as well as provide casual seating for guests as they gather around your grill.
• Looking for something eye-catching and unique? Construct a brick wood-fired pizza oven for an impressive backyard that will be the talk of the neighborhood. These are easier to build than you might think–they don’t have to be a huge installment to cook amazing pizza! Some bricks, wood, clay, and stone along with some tools and a free weekend will result in a wonderful new addition to your landscape.

Outdoor Kitchens that Won’t Break the Bank

If you want an outdoor kitchen setup on a budget, aim to stock your patio with mobile pieces that can easily serve multiple purposes.

• Storage benches with outdoor seat cushions can also hide supplies, small appliances and tools while providing stylish seating for guests. They can also be rearranged however you like.
• A bar cart with wheels allows you to move the party anywhere in your home or backyard. But its use is not limited to drinks–wheel it over to the fire pit to hold your s’mores fixin’s, organize hors d’oeuvres with extra dishes stored underneath, or use its surface as extra preparation space while cooking.
• Even outdoor kitchens need plenty of counter space. You can upcycle recovered wood from previous projects or discarded pallets to create countertops and shelving that can be situated next to your grill to expand your workspace and serve as a place to set out condiments, plates, and utensils for your guests.
• If wood is not your style, consider laying flagstone, pouring quick-concrete into a mold, or purchasing some blocks of marble or granite for your countertops. Spice up the appearance of your counters or benches by lining the sides with tile from other home improvement projects.
• For evening gatherings, you need to be able to keep the fun going even after the sun sets. Invest in some exterior lighting that can illuminate your dinner party far into the night. To illuminate a small area, outdoor string lights create a soft and comfortable atmosphere. Floodlights brighten a large outdoor space, while small solar garden lights guide one’s way through a magical nighttime garden.

  Make your backyard the entertainment space of your dreams with elements of an outdoor kitchen. You’ll find everything you need, from natural stone benches to flagstone and pavers, at Big Earth Landscape Supply.