Enjoy a Better Outdoor Cooking Space by Choosing Modular Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens can transform your backyard or garden into a more usable space for cooking, dining and hosting guests.
Homeowners have a selection of outdoor kitchens that can be arranged to suit the space and cooking method. Modular kitchens are a great choice for this purpose because they can be put together, switched around and added to as required.
Pick the Best Kitchen Design for Your Space
One of the first factors to consider is how to configure an outdoor kitchen. A straight modular kitchen can be situated against a wall, providing plenty of space for multiple cooking surfaces. An L-shaped design is a good way to optimise corners in the garden and give the different cooking and storage elements separate zones.
A fitted seating area can be combined with corner cooking, creating a fully integrated kitchen that doesn’t waste garden space. For larger gardens, more units can be added to turn the modular kitchen into an island-style set-up with at least two cooking zones and room for guests to sit.
Choose the Right Cooking Modules
An outdoor kitchen can be designed to cater to the food that you want to cook outside. A barbecue module can be used to create sizzling meats, kebabs and vegetables, while a griddle plate add-on creates an entirely new realm of outdoor cooking possibilities by making it easy to cook eggs, bacon, burgers or stir-fried dishes.
More than one cooking surface type can be included, allowing the design to be as versatile as you would like. A dedicated zone for grilling, frying or adding additional cooking space with side burners can be included for outdoor preparation.
Include Prep and Service Space
The best outdoor kitchen is more than just cooking and storage space. There should be enough space to serve food, prepare dishes and move around between the cooking and seating spaces. A preparation zone is one of the best ways to experience your new outdoor kitchen; a kitchen counter can be used, food can be chopped, finished and presented, meaning that the cook has all of the equipment to hand that they need to create delicious meals.
When designing the kitchen, one should consider how guests will move around the space. As well as creating an outdoor dining space or seating area, cooking zones can be included too, allowing the cook to be a part of the party but separate. Choosing multiple cooking modules or combining a kitchen with a corner sofa can help to create a kitchen that is more suited to parties.
A Kitchen that Can Expand as Required
One of the benefits of planning and purchasing a modular outdoor kitchen is the ability to decide on the placement of the kitchen features. You don’t have to choose all the amenities for your dream outdoor kitchen at the same time. An outdoor kitchen can grow along with your needs by starting with only the basic modules of cooking and storage.
From a small cooking nook to a fully furnished cooking and entertaining space, joining the modules will help maximise the space to build the outdoor kitchen. Thinking ahead and selecting all the correct features will give a practical addition to the living space.
A raised counter or breakfast bar will allow for more informal seating, without the need for a separate dining table, but if a separate table is your preference, locate it conveniently close to the cooking and serving area, so you won’t be too far away from your guests.
Work Out What Will Fit Comfortably into the Space Available
The size and shape of your outdoor space will determine how many modules fit, and how these are arranged. A small terrace may only be able to accommodate a grill, a prep area and storage, whilst the owners of a bigger garden may be able to lay their hands on a range of units, which are all situated adjacent to each other.
Make sure you plan for doors, drawers and appliances to open freely, and that you’ve got a clear path for getting in and out of the kitchen, whether this is to be used independently or paired with a dining table.
Combine Style and Function To Reflect Your Taste
The inclusion of outdoor kitchens in the garden can also contribute to the overall look and feel of the space. Finishes, paint colours and worktops can all be used to help them blend into newer outdoor furniture and garden design features.
A well-designed and executed appearance of the kitchen can make sure that it feels part of the property as a whole, rather than a collection of different functional areas. If the desired appearance is more contemporary, sleek and sparse, or more homely and traditional, the use of modular components can provide a way to comprehensively approach both look and function.
By using a modular component approach, you will be able to focus on the functions that are actually needed for you. An outdoor kitchen can be built over a period of time as you expand your layout and add more and more modules to your outdoor kitchen. The modular kitchen can translate to an easy way to prepare a quick dinner on a weeknight, and when it comes to the weekend, it’s easy to expand for all the friends and family that will be coming over.
