A multi-part series to provide you with inspiration and guidelines for outdoor kitchen design.
Part 1 – Do you dream of having an outdoor kitchen? Take a short quiz to help you reach your cookout goals.
The recent popularity of outdoor kitchens is expected to continue to be a hot trend. Not only are warmer southern climates seeing an increase in outdoor cooking growth, but cooler northern climates as well. They offer a good return on investment (ROI) should you decide to sell your home and also provide you with a nice and functional outdoor living space.
When it comes to creating your outdoor kitchen, the possibilities are endless! It can be big or small…from a simple “portable” or modular unit, i.e. a grill with counter space on each side to a large custom designed fully functional kitchen/outdoor living space with grill(s), refrigerators, freezers, sinks, counters, and lots and lots of storage space. They can be designed near pools, patios, gardens, or just about anywhere you want a nice outdoor space.
As you can see, while they may seem like a luxury, there really are no set rules to define a space as an outdoor kitchen. With a little imagination and helpful resources and design guidelines like this, you’ll find that no matter what kind you like, it’s sure to become a central place for your family and friends to gather while enjoying the great outdoors.
The following is a short and fun quiz to help you begin to determine your outdoor kitchen design goals. The answers to these questions will give you a brief introduction to outdoor kitchen options customized to your wishes and requirements. Have fun and remember there are no right or wrong answers!
To complete the questionnaire, please read the following five questions and choose the option that best describes your outdoor space and its overall function and purpose:
1. Where are you located?
A. In a very cold climate with long, harsh winters and fairly mild summers (such as Alaska and the upper states of North America, etc.)
b. In a moderate climate with average rainfall and warm sunny days, and occasional or limited snowfall (such as mid-Atlantic areas, etc.)
vs. In a hot, mostly sunny, and dry southern climate (note: little rain, low humidity, mild year-round, like Arizona, etc.)
d. In a tropical, hot and humid southern climate (note: tropical storms or heavy rain, high humidity and temperature are common, such as coastal areas, South Florida, etc.)
2. In general, which best describes how you plan to use your outdoor kitchen?
A. Informally, mainly for small gatherings of family and friends (approximately 5-10 people).
b. Special occasions – birthdays, anniversaries, etc. (up to 25 people).
against Extra-large gatherings: family reunions, large parties, etc. (more than 25 people).
d. All previous
3. How often do you plan to use your outdoor kitchen?
A. Only for special occasions or meetings, that is, a few times a year.
b. Sometimes in the month.
vs Once or twice a week.
d. All the time (three or more times a week).
4. How much outdoor space do you have available for your outdoor kitchen?
A. Very little space to fit much more than a grill with limited counter space and possibly some seating.
b. A Moderate Amount: My ideal outdoor kitchen might contain a grill, sink, some cabinet storage, counter space, and a small seating area.
against A lot: I can fit a grill, sink, storage and prep areas, counter space, a larger seating area for a larger number of guests, and any other extras you may want to have such as a refrigerator, a waste container, pizza oven, etc.
d. The sky is the limit – whatever you can dream of, I can accommodate!
5. What is your expected budget? (note: this must include the price of a built-in grill)
A. $5,000 or less.
b. $10,000 or less.
against $15,000 or less.
d. $15,000 or more, cost is not my most important consideration.
Now let’s tally up your choices: for each (a) answer give yourself 5 points, for each (b) answer give yourself 10 points, for each (c) answer give yourself 15 points, and for each (d) answer give yourself 20 points. Add up your points and find your total below:
Mostly A’s – 30 points or less: While you may not have a lot of space and/or money to work with, there are options available to you. Consider a good built-in grill with side cabinets that can be made from a variety of different materials, such as starboard, PVC, or wood. Later, as space or money allows, you can easily upgrade and add to your outdoor cooking space.
Mostly B’s – 35 points – 50 points: If you answered B for the most part, you see yourself using your outdoor space quite often and would like a few extra amenities. Depending on his expected budget, this could include a simple basic “wall or line” build or the larger and more popular L-shaped kitchen design. The choice of material for him can also be starboard, PVC and / or wood.
Mostly C’s – 55 points – 75 points: If you fall into this category, you are definitely on your way to having a very well thought out and carefully planned outdoor space that is both functional and enjoyable. A wide range of options are available to you in terms of kitchen design and layout, as well as form and function, with a host of additional conveniences. Always dreamed of having an outdoor pizza oven or maybe a nice fire pit or even a fireplace? No problem! Without a doubt, you are following a path to success in your outdoor space planning that can give you years of outdoor living enjoyment using a variety of material options, such as starboard, PVC, or wood.
Mostly D’s – 80 points or more: Congratulations! The sky is the limit for you! You have many design options available to you and you may even consider a more customized space and the use of an outdoor kitchen designer to assist you in your decision-making process. Your material choices and design options are endless to complete the outdoor kitchen of your dreams in a variety of materials including starboard, PVC and/or wood.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this short and thought-provoking quiz to help you on your way to designing the outdoor kitchen space of your dreams. The next article in this series will take this quiz a step further in terms of nailing down some of the more detailed aspects of space planning for your outdoor kitchen project, such as kitchen shape, location, availability of water etc This is sure to be an equally informative and enjoyable article.
