Choosing an Outdoor Kitchen Style

Outdoor Kitchens have become one of the most popular home renovations in recent years, and if quarantine taught us anything, it’s the importance of having comfortable outdoor spaces at home where you can do more than just entertain.

It turns out that the most sought-after room in the house isn’t actually a room at all. It’s important for homeowners and their guests to escape the indoors and live outside a little—and this means functional outdoor spaces like outdoor kitchens. Because life isn’t just about spending leisurely time, it’s also about the things that bring us together, and nothing brings people together like a great meal!

An outdoor kitchen sounds great at first glance, but it’s when you look at the fine details that the idea really starts to sound great. Here are just a few of the selling points of an outdoor kitchen:

• You can entertain while you cook
• The value of your home goes up
• The smell of food wafts through the air rather than stick in the kitchen
• Grilled foods tend to be healthier
• Save money as opposed to restaurants

Beyond that, cooking, eating, and socializing outdoors just feels right. It takes us away from the stuffiness of the office and directly signals to the mind that you are there to relax. When you feel the sunrise or the sunset over a great time with friends, you appreciate each moment even more.

So, if you are ready to adopt a new, more exciting outdoor lifestyle there are a several different approaches to meet your needs, from standalone grills that you fit into your current outdoor living environment, to all-in-one grill islands that can be the focal point of your new setup, or a completely custom kitchen, bar, dining experience built from individual components and designed from the ground up. Let’s review.

Standalone Grills

Standalone Grills aren’t a secret. The image of a dad and the family cooking out hamburgers and steaks out on the grill is iconic. This is the baseline for bringing your meals outdoors, and for many people, that’s appropriate for their needs.

A great grill slots in perfectly next to the outdoor environment you’ve already built, and if you are just getting started, you’ll only need a table and chairs to create a functional entertaining space outdoors next to your grill.

Grill Islands

Grill Islands are the next step up in the outdoor kitchen game. They feature aesthetically pleasing textured and tumbled block that makes your dedication to the outdoors clear. The rustic blend of a Grill Island blends into virtually any landscape and can be the centerpiece that your build your outdoor space around. A Grill Island is a great first step to leveling up your outdoor dining area because it combines the compactness of a barbeque cart and the convenience of an island.

Mix-and-Match Components

When you want the ultimate outdoor experience—truly more than just a kitchen—you can opt for modular components that can be constructed however you please. From the grill head, to refrigerators, to premium ice chests, sinks, infrared burners, doors, drawers, pantries and more, you can take your outdoor kitchen as far as your imagination can go.

Creating an outdoor living room or outdoor kitchen with modular pieces will allow you to construct the perfect outdoor kitchen setup to meet all your needs.

If you want to explore a brand-new look and feel for your backyard, visit an NPT Showroom, or if you are ready to get started, find a builder near you.