Flow-On Effect: 16 Indoor-Outdoor Kitchens to Inspire
The number one way to create a seamless transition between an indoor and outdoor kitchen? Continue the benchtop outside
Georgia Madden
23 May 2017
Australians; we love our outdoor kitchens. Increasing numbers of us are extending our cooking areas outdoors, and including ever more appliances while we’re at it; from barbecues, hot plates and pizza ovens, to fridges and even wine storage. But how do you make an outdoor kitchen relate visually and spatially to your interior? The short answer is the kitchen benchtop.
Continuing the benchtop – or more accurately, having the look of a continuing benchtop – is the cleverest and most effective way to achieve a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Not only will a ‘continuous’ benchtop help blur the lines between inside and out, it will add to the sense of spaciousness and reward you with oodles more prep room. Check out these delectable examples.
Continuing the benchtop – or more accurately, having the look of a continuing benchtop – is the cleverest and most effective way to achieve a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Not only will a ‘continuous’ benchtop help blur the lines between inside and out, it will add to the sense of spaciousness and reward you with oodles more prep room. Check out these delectable examples.
1. A complementary palette
When selecting colours and finishes for your benchtop and cabinetry, you’ll want to find ones that work equally well inside and out. When in doubt, look to nature for inspiration, creams, greys, off-whites and warm timber tones are all great starting points. The owners of this Samford, Queensland home have chosen Staron solid surface in ‘Quasar White’, which provides a sophisticated look that complements both their interior and exterior settings.
When selecting colours and finishes for your benchtop and cabinetry, you’ll want to find ones that work equally well inside and out. When in doubt, look to nature for inspiration, creams, greys, off-whites and warm timber tones are all great starting points. The owners of this Samford, Queensland home have chosen Staron solid surface in ‘Quasar White’, which provides a sophisticated look that complements both their interior and exterior settings.
2. A fine balance
Simple white kitchen cabinetry allows the rich timber parquet floor to remain the star of the show in this stunning open-plan kitchen. It’s also a great way to keep things bright and cheery, both inside and out.
Simple white kitchen cabinetry allows the rich timber parquet floor to remain the star of the show in this stunning open-plan kitchen. It’s also a great way to keep things bright and cheery, both inside and out.
3. Focus on feature
When you’re trying to minimise the indoor-outdoor transition, it’s best to go for thin and minimal door and window frames that won’t obstruct the view. Or not. Here, the owners of this renovated Kensington, NSW cottage have chosen to draw attention to their soaring hardwood frames, creating an unexpected and eye-catching feature.
When you’re trying to minimise the indoor-outdoor transition, it’s best to go for thin and minimal door and window frames that won’t obstruct the view. Or not. Here, the owners of this renovated Kensington, NSW cottage have chosen to draw attention to their soaring hardwood frames, creating an unexpected and eye-catching feature.
4. Well framed
Dramatic black frames provide the perfect counterpoint to a long run of sleek white cabinetry used in this property in Bayside, Victoria.
How to build the perfect outdoor kitchen
Dramatic black frames provide the perfect counterpoint to a long run of sleek white cabinetry used in this property in Bayside, Victoria.
How to build the perfect outdoor kitchen
5. The material approach
Don’t make just your benchtops do all the hard work – you can enhance the connection between your interior and exterior areas further by carrying through the same flooring and paint finishes. Both spaces will end up feeling larger than they actually are, as it’s hard for the eye to distinguish where one ends and the other begins – a clever move if you’re short on space.
Don’t make just your benchtops do all the hard work – you can enhance the connection between your interior and exterior areas further by carrying through the same flooring and paint finishes. Both spaces will end up feeling larger than they actually are, as it’s hard for the eye to distinguish where one ends and the other begins – a clever move if you’re short on space.
6. Contrasting finishes
Looking to add a little drama to your indoor-outdoor look? Try mixing your finishes. And remember, even if your alfresco area is undercover, it’s important to choose benchtop and cabinetry materials that are designed to cope with outdoor conditions.
Tip: Stone, granite, stainless steel and treated timber are all good choices.
Looking to add a little drama to your indoor-outdoor look? Try mixing your finishes. And remember, even if your alfresco area is undercover, it’s important to choose benchtop and cabinetry materials that are designed to cope with outdoor conditions.
Tip: Stone, granite, stainless steel and treated timber are all good choices.
7. Cosy up
If you’re looking to create a warm and inviting outdoor space, opting for traditional panelled kitchen cabinetry over a sleek, modern style can really help you set the tone. Boost the comfort factor further by adding in a cosy wicker sofa setting and a dining setting big enough to accommodate the whole family.
If you’re looking to create a warm and inviting outdoor space, opting for traditional panelled kitchen cabinetry over a sleek, modern style can really help you set the tone. Boost the comfort factor further by adding in a cosy wicker sofa setting and a dining setting big enough to accommodate the whole family.
8. All in the details
A new rear extension has completely transformed this family home in Waterloo, NSW. The fully equipped alfresco kitchen and comfortable outdoor seating have provided the owners with oodles more usable space. But it’s the thoughtful little touches, such as a narrow strip of timber that runs the length of the base units indoors and out, that keeps the two areas connected.
A new rear extension has completely transformed this family home in Waterloo, NSW. The fully equipped alfresco kitchen and comfortable outdoor seating have provided the owners with oodles more usable space. But it’s the thoughtful little touches, such as a narrow strip of timber that runs the length of the base units indoors and out, that keeps the two areas connected.
9. A flexible approach
An all-weather cooking and dining zone that can be opened up when you’re entertaining, or sealed off when the weather turns, is a great way to boost your home’s footprint. To draw attention away from the small section of wall breaking up the two areas in this Carina Heights, Queensland home, the owners have opted to carry through the same warm white kitchen cabinetry to create a sense of cohesion.
Add a servery to your kitchen
An all-weather cooking and dining zone that can be opened up when you’re entertaining, or sealed off when the weather turns, is a great way to boost your home’s footprint. To draw attention away from the small section of wall breaking up the two areas in this Carina Heights, Queensland home, the owners have opted to carry through the same warm white kitchen cabinetry to create a sense of cohesion.
Add a servery to your kitchen
10. A smooth flow
Fuss-free cabinetry and glossy finishes allow the eye to naturally shift from inside to out without any visual interruptions.
Fuss-free cabinetry and glossy finishes allow the eye to naturally shift from inside to out without any visual interruptions.
11. Traffic flow
It’s also a subtle way to encourage guests to gravitate outdoors when you’re entertaining.
It’s also a subtle way to encourage guests to gravitate outdoors when you’re entertaining.
12. Small space maximiser
Running the stainless-steel-topped kitchen cabinets in this Richmond, Victoria warehouse conversion from inside to out has visually expanded the space, and given purpose to the tiny outdoor terrace. It now provides an extra servery when guests are over, as well as additional storage for bulky appliances so that benchtops are kept neat and clear. Win-win.
Running the stainless-steel-topped kitchen cabinets in this Richmond, Victoria warehouse conversion from inside to out has visually expanded the space, and given purpose to the tiny outdoor terrace. It now provides an extra servery when guests are over, as well as additional storage for bulky appliances so that benchtops are kept neat and clear. Win-win.
13. Open all hours
Emphasise the indoor-outdoor connection by allowing the two spaces to open up completely. Choosing the right doors is crucial; bi-folds, stacking doors, and doors that recess into a wall cavity are all smart choices, as they’ll eliminate any physical barriers between the two areas and reward you with unimpeded views from inside to out.
See more inspiring outdoor spaces
Emphasise the indoor-outdoor connection by allowing the two spaces to open up completely. Choosing the right doors is crucial; bi-folds, stacking doors, and doors that recess into a wall cavity are all smart choices, as they’ll eliminate any physical barriers between the two areas and reward you with unimpeded views from inside to out.
See more inspiring outdoor spaces
14. All switched up
There’s no rule that says you have to follow a linear layout with your indoor-outdoor benchtops, or even use the same surface material. Faced with insufficient space to install the fully fledged family kitchen they dreamt of indoors, the owners of this Lilyfield, NSW home chose to move a third of their kitchen (including storage and prep zones) outdoors. Allowing the site to dictate the best layout, they’ve opted for an L-shaped benchtop with contrasting surface materials for a relaxed, eclectic look.
There’s no rule that says you have to follow a linear layout with your indoor-outdoor benchtops, or even use the same surface material. Faced with insufficient space to install the fully fledged family kitchen they dreamt of indoors, the owners of this Lilyfield, NSW home chose to move a third of their kitchen (including storage and prep zones) outdoors. Allowing the site to dictate the best layout, they’ve opted for an L-shaped benchtop with contrasting surface materials for a relaxed, eclectic look.
15. Thinking outside the box
Concerned that structural limitations might prevent you from making this look work? Think again. As the owners of this compact courtyard in Prahran, Victoria demonstrate, you don’t need acres of benchtop to create a show-stopping look. Rather than letting a structural pillar in an inconvenient spot ‘shorten’ their floating benchtop, they’ve simply extended beyond it – using the ‘continuous’ idea to increase the sense of its length.
Concerned that structural limitations might prevent you from making this look work? Think again. As the owners of this compact courtyard in Prahran, Victoria demonstrate, you don’t need acres of benchtop to create a show-stopping look. Rather than letting a structural pillar in an inconvenient spot ‘shorten’ their floating benchtop, they’ve simply extended beyond it – using the ‘continuous’ idea to increase the sense of its length.
16. And… don’t just limit yourself to kitchen benchtops
A continuous surface that runs from indoors to out can offer up so much more than just a place to cook. In this renovated terrace in Leichhardt, NSW, it creates a versatile, multi-purpose surface that can be used for anything from seating and display to casual dining.
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A continuous surface that runs from indoors to out can offer up so much more than just a place to cook. In this renovated terrace in Leichhardt, NSW, it creates a versatile, multi-purpose surface that can be used for anything from seating and display to casual dining.
Your say
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
More
Browse more contemporary kitchens
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Although most of the outdoor kitchens above look very beautiful and functional, I personally wouldn't want an outdoor kitchen that extends the existing on. I don't see the point of having an outdoor kitchen if the actual kitchen is that close?
Outdoor kitchens are great for hosting! Cant wait to build mine!!