Outdoor Kitchen / Patio / Deck
Safety note. If you have a built-in grill or any other cooking features, you’ll need to add insulating, fireproof material to keep it safe. You’ll also want to ensure that the grill is kept away from flammable materials, including decking, railings and wood fencing. Finally, place the grill where it will be out of the main traffic path, whenever possible, especially if children will be playing nearby.
The last step is to decide where everything will go in the kitchen during the planning stage to be sure you have the space you need. The placement of the grill is paramount in any kitchen. It should be easy to get to and have countertops on either side. If you’re adding a refrigerator or snack area, place it at one end of the kitchen so it’s easily accessed without getting in the way of the cook.
Countertops and bars. Your countertop length will vary, depending on your overall space and the amenities you want to add. “We typically say the minimum length for a kitchen would be 6 linear feet, which gives room for a grill and to have a counter area on both sides,” says Rob Douglass of Texas Custom Patios in Houston. The counter can also double as a landing space for anything you pull from an undercounter refrigerator. Width: The recommended width for a basic countertop is 24 inches, although you may want to go wider if you’re planning to use it as a dining spot. A minimum width for a bar top would be 12 inches, with an added 12 to 18 inches if you want an overhang. The overhang itself should be no more than one-third the total width of the bar. Height: The standard height for a working countertop is 36 inches. A height of 30 inches may be more comfortable for dining with standard-height dining chairs. If you don’t want a counter that is too low, consider raising the height and using slightly taller stools or chairs. Bar-style countertops are usually from 42 to 48 inches tall, although they can be higher.
U-shaped kitchen. A U-shaped layout is highly efficient, providing plenty of workspace and counters for serving and eating as well as plenty of storage. A small interior space is ideal for a single cook, putting everything within reach. If more people will be joining in, make it larger so people can easily work together. A small U-shaped kitchen may feel like a separate space within your overall patio or entertaining area, turning it into a destination. If you’d prefer something more inclusive, you might want to opt for an L-shaped kitchen.
L-shaped kitchen. One of the most popular and flexible kitchen layouts is an L-shaped setup. It lets you spread out the work areas with plenty of open space for people to move around as well as create an efficient work triangle. Because an L-shaped kitchen layout only requires two sides, you’ll have more room for a dining area and easy access.
Galley kitchen. A galley-style kitchen with two counters facing each other gives you additional work surfaces and space for more than one cook. It will also allow you to create a small but efficient work triangle. A countertop or bar on one side will provide extra seats for guests to enjoy drinks, dine or just chat. Allow enough room for people to pass by each other, and open it on both ends for easy access.
Island kitchen. A similar approach would be to install a barbecue island, which is a better design for including the cook in the action. “You want the cook to be able to engage with family and friends,” says John Algozzini of KD Landscape in Chicago. These standalone grill stations or all-in-one kitchens are open on all four sides, allowing easy access for both the cook and other guests. Setting an outdoor kitchen island at the edge or along one side of your dining area ensures that the cook will have a great view. You aren’t limited to only a grill and some counter space for an island, especially if you do a custom design. You can add appliances and extend its length or width to allow for dining space.
Linear or straight-run kitchen. An outdoor kitchen with a long counter that holds your grill, prep area and serving counter, with storage underneath and perhaps a refrigerator or other amenities, is a great setup for a smaller space. There’s room for one person to grill, with food and tools at hand, and possibly another person doing prep work. The length of the kitchen and the ends are open, so access is easy.
Take your layout cues from indoor kitchens. Think about efficient work triangles and access for both cooks and guests. Layout options range from a single counter-and-grill combination to an elaborate multisided installation. Remember, unlike indoor kitchens, you usually won’t have four walls to define the space. Instead, you’ll use the countertops and cabinets to create the “room.”
Whatever size kitchen you want, plan to have enough space for food prep, cooking, serving and cleanup. Think about how many people will want to be cooking or prepping food at the same time, and include enough space so people can move around easily. Ideally, you want it to be large enough to be comfortable but not so large that it isn’t efficient.
As with our outdoor furniture, we ask a lot of outdoor pillows and upholstery that are constantly exposed to sunlight and some moisture. In order to prolong the life of outdoor cushions, always select those that are designed for outdoor use. “Such fabrics are treated for UV resistance, mold resistance, water and stain resistance and are very durable,” Davis says. Look for brands like Sunbrella or others that specifically make outdoor fabrics for cushions that look good year after year.
Natural teak also makes an excellent choice for long-lasting outdoor furniture sets that can feel and look warmer than those made of metal. The hardwood doesn’t warp when exposed to repeated moisture, and naturally occurring oils in the wood also help protect it against rot and insects.
deck lighting
This contemporary home in Michigan features strong angular rooflines and has a floor plan spread across two wings. The architects used the triangular space between the two wings to build a deck and expand the home’s living area. The deck looks perfectly in keeping with the style of the home, with angled, ledge-like seating and an inviting smoke-free fire feature to draw the homeowners outside.
takes advantage of a year-round mild climate by offering the homeowners an indoor-outdoor lanai for cooking and dining. Sliding glass doors allow the outdoor area, which sits under the cover of a second-story overhang, to be closed off from the home when not in use, or they can be thrown open for easy flow from the living room to the outdoor deck and the pool beyond.
A dining table for six next to the kitchen and bar area sits under a new 12-foot-tall pergola that was painted a crisp white to tie in with the home’s trim. In addition to casting shade, the structure also serves as a mount for outdoor lighting, speakers and heating units, bringing the comforts of dining indoors to the outdoor space. The pergola’s louvre roof system can be opened and closed with a remote control to allow more or less shade or to keep rain out, as needed.
The outdoor kitchen features a custom-designed roof made of a steel frame topped with polycarbonate panels that White says are similar to those used in greenhouses. They allow light but not UV rays to penetrate.
The new kitchen, bar and dining area is the main hub for outdoor entertaining. The outdoor kitchen includes two sinks, a refrigerator, a warming drawer and a professional-grade grill — plus a party-ready keg fridge and a built-in ice chest. The countertops are heat- and stain-resistant Dekton, a resilient engineered material made of glass, quartz and porcelain. The island with bar seating was designed for guests to hang out, sip a drink and watch the action.
pergola with shade sails stretched over beams
twig covered pergola
The designers paired wooden elements — decking, chunky stools and a rustic shade structure — with smooth stucco and concrete for a design that is nicely balanced through contrast.
All sides of the deck, designed by Sharratt Design & Co. and Karie Zemlicka from Mom’s Design Build, can be screened in with the touch of a button, thanks to integrated retractable screens by Phantom Screens. This option ensures that summer dinners can be enjoyed bug-free. Screens from the same company also stretch across the ceiling to fully enclose the space. To protect against rain, the aluminum ceiling louvers can be closed electronically.
chandelier hangs from pergola in outdoor room
pergola covers outdoor room
pergola cover
pergola covered outdoor room
custom table top covers fire pit
pergola for lower patio
Q