As outdoor dining spaces become more commonplace in homes, you may be thinking about purchasing one yourself. It’s a significant investment, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you weigh the pros and cons as you consider outdoor kitchen ideas for your home.
Your outdoor space should be a backyard oasis, and one of the best parts of having an outdoor kitchen is being able to use it all year-round. Yes, you read that correctly—all year—even in the winter! Especially when you invest in superior craftsmanship, like masonry work from Dutchies Stoneworks, you can be sure that your outdoor living space will be something you enjoy for years to come.
Today we’ll be going over a few of our favorite outdoor kitchen ideas that you can implement into your kitchen design for year-round use.
Fireplace or Fire Feature
When the weather begins to get colder, nothing beats sitting around a fire to stay warm. When you add one or more heating elements to your outdoor space, you can have a great area that will give your family and friends something to cozy up to on those clear, cooler evenings.
Fire features can range from a simple stone fire pit to an elaborate outdoor fireplace—it all depends on your aesthetic and functional preferences. Fire features can be used purely for a visual purpose, or they can be practical if you want to use them for something more than warmth. If you’re thinking about some of the outdoor cooking you can do, nothing beats roasting hotdogs over an open flame or making s’mores.
Other Outdoor Cooking Methods
Speaking of food, one of the best features of an outdoor kitchen is…well, having a place to cook! When you think of cooking outside, you likely think of a grill, which is a great essential appliance for any outdoor dining space. But some of our other favorite additions include pizza ovens and griddle tops.
Not only do stone fireplaces serve as a place to cook, but stone pizza ovens are excellent for any family that loves having fresh baked bread or pizza, and can be a great addition to a more rustic outdoor kitchen. Griddles are also a good option for adding some variety to your outdoor cooking.
Wraparound Outdoor Kitchen and Bar Tops
Depending on how much entertaining you plan to do, you may want to consider adding a few full wraparound outdoor kitchen ideas to your backyard design. When you have a more integrated outdoor kitchen space, not only do you create a more communal and engaging space, but you also have an area where you can spend quality time with family and friends.
While we already know grills are a great year-round option for cooking, bar tops can also be a decent choice. Even if you don’t plan on cooking much, installing a wraparound kitchen countertop is great for serving drinks and entertaining. You can serve drinks from behind the bar top while friends or family sit and relax on the other side.
Pergola or Gazebo Covered Outdoor Space
Rain or shine, having some type of covering on your outdoor space is one of our favorite options for getting out of the house for a few hours. Pergolas and gazebos are great for staying out of the hot summer sun or even for covering you from gentle spring rain.
If your pergola or gazebo is in the middle of your yard, you can always install an outdoor patio or stone walkway that leads to your outdoor oasis. Whether you’re looking for a traditional or modern feel, Dutchies Stonework can help you build or upgrade your outdoor space into a unique work of art.
Built-In TVs
Most of the time, we go outside to get away from digital entertainment, but sometimes it’s still necessary. If you enjoy hosting large parties or family gatherings, having a bit of visual stimulation is excellent for distracting hungry guests while you’re cooking.
That’s where built-in TVs come into play. Just think—if you’re cooking a nice Thanksgiving dinner both inside and outside (because let’s face it, you need all the cooking space you can get), but there are too many warm bodies in the house, you can send everyone outside to watch football instead. That way, no one is in your way while everyone can still relax and enjoy the crisp fall air.
Other Cool Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
The ideas for designing your backyard are nearly endless, so while we have quite a few favorites, the following are some other possibilities, as well:
- Stone or Slate Countertops: It’s no secret that we love stone at Dutchies Stoneworks, but our love does not go unfounded! Stone is such a flexible material that you can use it in almost any application—including countertops. Durable and great for the outdoors, stone can be an excellent option for your outdoor kitchen ideas.
- Modern Stone Outdoor Kitchen Ideas: One of the best qualities of stone is that it can be made to fit any design aesthetic. It’s a great option when you’re trying to create a sleek look for your outdoor space, so let us know, and Dutchies will work with you to create an ideal, modern space.
- Rustic Outdoor Kitchen Ideas: Since stone is a natural material, your space can also be made to look more natural. Having a rustic outdoor kitchen lends a more traditional or classic look and will blend beautifully with any outdoor setting.
Ready to Start Your Project?
When you make a significant investment like an outdoor kitchen, you should expect excellent work that lasts you for years to come. At Dutchies Stoneworks, we provide complete outdoor living packages and will work with you every step of the way to make your outdoor oasis dream a reality.
With over 15 years of experience in designing and building custom outdoor living spaces, you can feel confident that Dutchies Stoneworks will bring your backyard a unique blend of artistry and craftsmanship. If you’re ready to elevate your backyard experience and start your project, contact us for more information.