Blurred Lines: How to Plan a Kitchen That Spills Outside
A kitchen need not stop at your external wall – break it down and let it blend into your outdoor spaces
This seems to be the hot buzz at the moment; allowing the indoors out. My clients are always asking me how to create that mysterious ‘seamless connection’ between and indoor and outdoor kitchen, and vice versa. So you may be thinking to yourself: “What on earth does that even mean? Does it mean I always leave my doors open? Or fill my kitchen with potted plants?”
Creating a true connection between your indoor and outdoor goes a step further and enters the realm of clever design, especially when it comes to your kitchen. It’s a popular design addition because it simply works. If planned correctly, your kitchen can be opened out onto untapped entertaining (and cooking) space blurring the lines on where it should or should not finish. What you are creating is a larger kitchen area – and not necessarily with the regulations required in extending – and if planned carefully, an all-weather entertaining space.
If you are renovating or building from the ground up then this is prime time to ensure your kitchen works harmoniously with your outdoor kitchen and living space, here are some ideas to consider.
Creating a true connection between your indoor and outdoor goes a step further and enters the realm of clever design, especially when it comes to your kitchen. It’s a popular design addition because it simply works. If planned correctly, your kitchen can be opened out onto untapped entertaining (and cooking) space blurring the lines on where it should or should not finish. What you are creating is a larger kitchen area – and not necessarily with the regulations required in extending – and if planned carefully, an all-weather entertaining space.
If you are renovating or building from the ground up then this is prime time to ensure your kitchen works harmoniously with your outdoor kitchen and living space, here are some ideas to consider.
Kitchens are the heart of the home. It is here that a family gathers and shares the love of food and conversation. But why does this space have to be restricted by the walls and doors that contain it? Why can’t this space blend into those other areas that we love - like its adjoining outdoor spaces?
When deciding to connect your indoor space with your outdoor space, especially in terms of kitchen design, it is a good idea to write a list as to what you want to achieve (aesthetically) and how you want the space to function. Do you want to have a space you can use all year round? How will you integrate the two spaces into one? What are the key aspects you want to change within the spaces and what do you want to remain the same?
Here are a few points to consider when connecting your indoor and outdoor space with a kitchen.
Here are a few points to consider when connecting your indoor and outdoor space with a kitchen.
Let your kitchen bench breach into your outdoor space
A kitchen bench is a place to prepare, cook, serve food and mingle around. So let’s consider continuing it into both spaces, blurring the line between the indoor and outdoor, which creates an immediate connection to both spaces. There are a number of ways to ensure your kitchen bench in your outdoor area is also going to be functional.
A kitchen bench is a place to prepare, cook, serve food and mingle around. So let’s consider continuing it into both spaces, blurring the line between the indoor and outdoor, which creates an immediate connection to both spaces. There are a number of ways to ensure your kitchen bench in your outdoor area is also going to be functional.
You have the option to use your bench as a bar space for those nights when you are entertaining.
Or how about going the full haul and incorporating a fully decked out kitchen with built-in barbecue, sink and wine fridge? Your benchtop could continue out from an indoor island bench or perhaps the bench could continue out along a shared wall.
Either way, these solutions are perfect when creating a connection between both spaces.
Either way, these solutions are perfect when creating a connection between both spaces.
Create invisible glass connections
Installing either bi-fold, sliding or stacker doors and windows in your indoor kitchen will open up the spaces to one another whether they are closed or open. Even when the openings are closed, the clear glazing will enable a visual connection between both areas. And when the weather is warm, the glazing can be completely pushed back, allowing for the kitchen bench to flow uninterrupted as a functional benchtop, as a servery or additional preparation space.
Installing either bi-fold, sliding or stacker doors and windows in your indoor kitchen will open up the spaces to one another whether they are closed or open. Even when the openings are closed, the clear glazing will enable a visual connection between both areas. And when the weather is warm, the glazing can be completely pushed back, allowing for the kitchen bench to flow uninterrupted as a functional benchtop, as a servery or additional preparation space.
If you can aim to have the frames of the windows and doors as slim as possible, this will aid in the disappearance of the fixtures themselves. We want the main focus to be the flow between the areas without, not the cumbersome framework. In return, be prepared for bountiful amounts of natural light and airflow that’ll take over the interior of your home. Summer, here we come!
Blend materials to create flow between space
The type of materials and finishes used within a space determine what its purpose is and how it will function. The use of materials from one space to another creates the effect of a space continuing on from its typical boundaries. It’s preferable, from a visual perspective, to have the kitchen benchtop constructed from one material, which means you’ll need to think about weather-appropriate surfaces if it’s going outdoors. Reconstituted stones like Caesar stone and Quantum Quartz are a suitable choice along with concrete and stainless steel.
The type of materials and finishes used within a space determine what its purpose is and how it will function. The use of materials from one space to another creates the effect of a space continuing on from its typical boundaries. It’s preferable, from a visual perspective, to have the kitchen benchtop constructed from one material, which means you’ll need to think about weather-appropriate surfaces if it’s going outdoors. Reconstituted stones like Caesar stone and Quantum Quartz are a suitable choice along with concrete and stainless steel.
The connection between materials doesn’t only have to be within the benchtop. Think about your floor finish, which is the largest finish within both areas. Using the same tile but in different finishes is a perfect example of continuous material selection throughout. The indoor tile will need to be indoor rated, whereas the outdoor will need to be suitable for external application – the colour and pattern with still look the same.
Finally, think practically
Think also in terms of practicality – when it’s cold you’re going to want to keep warm, even when you’re outdoors. Heating is a must, especially if you experience cold winters like I have when I lived in Canberra. Heating can come in the form of portable gas heaters, which are perfect for entertaining outdoors, and when not in use, can be stored away in the garden shed or garage. Or perhaps you could try a more permanent feature like ceiling radiator panels, which are turned on and off at a switch and can stay in place all year round. Now for the summer months, let’s get some ceiling fans in place. Set these over the areas where you’ll spend the most time – the dining table is a prime example of this.
MORE INSPIRATION
9 Tips for a Functional and Stylish Outdoor Kitchen
Dream Spaces: 14 Fabulous Indoor-Outdoor Bathrooms
10 Ways to Connect Indoor and Outdoor Areas
Think also in terms of practicality – when it’s cold you’re going to want to keep warm, even when you’re outdoors. Heating is a must, especially if you experience cold winters like I have when I lived in Canberra. Heating can come in the form of portable gas heaters, which are perfect for entertaining outdoors, and when not in use, can be stored away in the garden shed or garage. Or perhaps you could try a more permanent feature like ceiling radiator panels, which are turned on and off at a switch and can stay in place all year round. Now for the summer months, let’s get some ceiling fans in place. Set these over the areas where you’ll spend the most time – the dining table is a prime example of this.
MORE INSPIRATION
9 Tips for a Functional and Stylish Outdoor Kitchen
Dream Spaces: 14 Fabulous Indoor-Outdoor Bathrooms
10 Ways to Connect Indoor and Outdoor Areas