Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens and barbecues not only make entertaining guests and family easy and fun, but they also add value and beauty to your backyard. It’s a great way to bring the family together and spend less time in front of the TV and more time outside instead.
Outdoor kitchens can range from a simple prefabricated grilling island with a countertop, to a large full-service kitchen with a refrigerator, sink, cabinets and storage, grills with side burners and griddles, a pizza oven, or even a cocktail station.
Additionally, there are multiple methods of construction for these outdoor living spaces: outdoor kitchen kits and custom built-in outdoor kitchens. A brief comparison of these different types of outdoor kitchens can help you make an informed decision regarding the type that best completes your backyard oasis.
Custom Kitchen
Outdoor Kitchens are a great way to extend your entertaining space. With a fully functional kitchen outdoors, you keep your guests outside longer, making the most of your outdoor space.
A custom outdoor kitchen can be built in any size, shape, color or materials. Custom kitchens can be built to meet the demands of the homeowners. Fully customizable kitchens are ideal if you’re looking to pick and choose the appliances you want, while also matching it to the decor of your space.
Take full advantage of the customizability by adding features such as a pizza oven, smoker or wine cooler. The combinations are endless!
Prefabricated Outdoor Kitchen
Built-in outdoor kitchens are the most advanced form of outdoor kitchens and are built on-site by a professional.
Full-sized, custom outdoor kitchens have wide variability in cost, typically ranging anywhere from $15,000 to $60,000+ depending on the size and materials used.
Kitchen kits are prefabricated kitchen islands that normally have a grill and some counter space, but can also include add-ons like storage or a freezer that make an outdoor kitchen kit a significant upgrade over a basic outdoor grill.
These kits are the most economical outdoor kitchen option, and can typically range from around $3,000 to over $10,000.
Questions Before Choosing An Outdoor Kitchen Type
Are you planning cooking outside several times a week? Are you only interested in grilling a couple times a month or less? If you are planning to cook outside often, it makes more sense to invest in a modular or build-in outdoor kitchen that can accommodate your needs.
Most outdoor kitchens involve grilling and if that’s the only real need in an outdoor kitchen, a basic outdoor kitchen kit will serve your needs well. The more types of cooking and grilling you pursue, the more likely you will want to invest in a modular or build-in outdoor kitchen.
If you plan on regularly having family and guests dine at your outdoor kitchen, a larger counter with bar stools may be necessary. If you want your guests to gather around the kitchen to socialize, a built-in kitchen with a large bar counter will be a must.
Consider the total cost of an outdoor kitchen compared to your home value before beginning your project. The value of your home will increase with great landscaping and an outdoor kitchen, but you might not get a great return on a very large investment for a modest home.
