Adding an Outdoor Kitchen to Your Deck

Here is a new blog post from a guest author contributing to Lang’s Kitchen & Bath’s website.  We hope you find this topic helpful!

Having a big backyard behind your house is one of the most valuable things in the world, especially if you have kids who love spending time in the open and running around for hours. However, this doesn’t mean anything unless you actually make the most of your outdoor space and utilize every inch of it. That’s why people build decks and spend their free time there, throwing parties and hanging out with their family. In order to make the most of your deck, you need to add a kitchen to it as well, so here’s how to do that.

Design the space

The problem with decks is that some of them just aren’t as big as you’d like them to be, so you need to be really creative and come up with a proper design. This could be rather tricky if you’re a huge fan of cooking and would like to have a massive outdoor kitchen where you can show off your culinary skills and entertain your guests all day long. 

Designing this space before you do anything else is vital, so make a plan and try to stick to it. There are lots of layouts you could look into, but it seems that most homeowners opt for an L-, U-, or G-shape kitchen that gives them enough maneuvering space and maximizes their storage potential. 

Think about the storage

Speaking of storage, this is one of the biggest problems people who design and build outdoor kitchens have. It doesn’t really matter how big your deck is, the chances are it’s not going to be big enough for a decent kitchen, which is why you need to sacrifice a few features. This usually comes down to minimizing the storage area as most people think this is unimportant, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

From your ingredients, spices, and herbs, to your cutlery, dishware, and glasses, having as much storage space as possible is vital. Unless you have everything you need close by, you’ll waste lots of time looking for the things you need to cook, and this will disrupt your concentration and demotivate you. So, incorporate enough storage, and organize your outdoor kitchen cabinets carefully and patiently.

Get some protection

If you’re a huge fan of cooking, you’ll surely love spending time on your deck, preparing food for your family and friends. This could take up to several hours, depending on what you’re making, and doing that day after day could end up being rather exhausting, especially if you live in a hot area.

This is why you need to figure out a few ways to protect yourself and your guests against the sun. Take practicality in consideration too, and make sure you install a system that’s easy to install, operate, and maintain. Shade sails are one of the best options out there, because they provide you with enough protection, while still looking rather appealing and taking your entire outdoor area to a whole new level. That’s why you might want to look into those durable shade sails online and find a design that will suit you and your visitors.

Find the right appliances

Every kitchen needs adequate appliances, and your outdoor kitchen is no different. So, you need to get all the appliances you’re going to need, from a fridge and a freezer to a grill, a six-burner stove, and a huge oven. All of these are easy to find because there are so many models out there, so just pick the ones that will work and look well together.

Still, you need to think in advance and make sure you find the appliances you’ll be able to use in the decades to come as well. Don’t try to save money on these things, but go all in, and invest in proper appliances that will take your cooking skills to a whole new level too. Learn a thing or two about safety first, and you’ll become the best outdoor cook in the entire neighborhood before you know it.

An outdoor kitchen will surely elevate the look of your deck and your entire outdoor area, so don’t be afraid to dedicate some time, money, and energy to this project as soon as you can!