Dreaming of getting an outdoor pizza oven to fulfill your vision of having the best family pizza nights? Or do you desire an upscale outdoor kitchen with all the bells and whistles, so you can entertain family and friends throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons?

Before you get started putting your outdoor kitchen dreams into motion, you’ll want to take the following important considerations into account during the planning stage.

Things to Do

Consider Cool and Warm Temperatures

When planning your outdoor kitchen, it’s important to take both the hot temperatures of the summer months and the cool temperatures of early spring and late fall into account.

Having a shaded kitchen will make cooking and entertaining much more pleasant for you and your guests during the warmer months. Options include planting trees near your outdoor kitchen, incorporating an awning into your design and getting a patio umbrella for seating areas.

To make your outdoor kitchen comfortable in cooler weather, consider installing a fire pit or an outdoor heater.

Plan the Layout and Design

When thinking about the layout and design of your outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to ensure it fits in well with the surrounding landscape. For example, if you’re in a tropical location, incorporating bamboo into your design will complement the look and feel of the rest of your space. You’ll also want to choose colors and textures that suit the style of your home’s exterior.

Choose Your Materials

Select quality materials that are highly durable, so they can withstand the elements while also being low maintenance. Stainless steel is a great option for outdoor countertops, as well as for appliances because they look sleek, are extremely durable and are easy to care for.

Granite is another great alternative for outdoor countertops and is available in a wide range of design and patterns, enabling you to find material that perfectly matches your design and suits your personal style.

Install Proper Lighting

Lighting is essential—it’ll help you perform tasks and also sets the mood for entertaining in the evening. For this reason, plan to incorporate both task lighting and ambient lighting into your design.

 

Things Not to Do

DIY Electricity

Having electricity set up properly is critical to ensuring your outdoor kitchen is functional and safe. While it isn’t difficult to add power to an outdoor area of your home, electricity can be tricky to DIY. Play it safe and save yourself future problems by consulting with a professional.

Forgetting Ventilation

No matter how you decide to design your outdoor kitchen, you’ll need to include good ventilation, especially in the cooking area. To prevent overheating, ensure every appliance and electrical outlet has some ventilation. Also make sure the cooking smoke has a place to go.

Follow these tips for both what to do and what to avoid and you’ll be sharing your ideal outdoor kitchen with loved ones before you know it.