Al fresco dining has been a big hit in the UK this year and just because the nights are starting to draw in, it doesn’t mean dining outside has to stop. By creating an outdoor kitchen area, you can enjoy a space perfect for relaxing and eating in all year round.
To help, here’s our guide to creating a garden kitchen area.
1. Find your space
First thing’s first, you need to allocate a space in your garden for your kitchen. When doing this, there are a few practicalities to bear in mind. It may be tempting to plot your kitchen off away from the main house, however, you’ll need to consider water, power and the general back and forth to the fridge!
It’s also a good idea to consider weather when choosing a spot. If your garden is exposed, think about choosing a spot that can be sheltered as the wind can make cooking tricky. Also,consider when your space will get the sun, ideally, this should be into the evenings.
Credit: Cube 1994
2. Choose your materials
This will very much depend on the style of outdoor kitchen you are designing, however, we would always recommend using durable paving such as sandstone. This material weathers well over time and forms a solid foundation for appliances and furniture.
At this stage, it’s also good to consider whether you’ll want the area to be covered. In the UK this is something we would definitely recommend, given the unpredictable weather! Pergolas are a great option and can be easily covered or uncovered depending on the weather.
They are also great to decorate and can be personalised to suit your garden’s overall aesthetic.
Credit: Food52
3. Decide on your appliances
Generally, outdoor kitchens are focussed on the type of cooking that isn’t traditionally done in the kitchen such as BBQs, Smoking and wood-fired pizzas. However, that’s not to say you can’t have a traditional hob set-up.
Consider the type of cooking and entertaining you’ll be doing in the space and select appliances to suit. Do you need a fridge for wine and beer? Maybe a pizza oven will be the focal point of the space? Or a large smoker for meat.
You’ll need to consider the services you’re going to need to connect at this stage too. Whilst many garden cooking appliances can be operated using propane cylinders, it could work out pricey in the long run, especially if you have a gas hob or heater.
Although the initial outlay of connecting your gas mains may be expensive, it will likely be worth it over time.
Credit: Decor Snob
4. Add some heat and light
If you’re planning to continue using your outdoor kitchen throughout the autumn and winter months, light and heating will be essential. There are plenty of outdoor heating options available now from electric or gas heaters to more traditional fire pits and chimineas.
For lighting, you can connect services and have wired lighting which may be necessary if you’re planning to do a lot of cooking and preparation. There’s also solar-powered and battery operated outdoor lights which may be an easier option.
Credit: WhichToBuy
5. Get accessorising
Start with the furniture as this will likely be your kitchen’s centrepiece. Would you like a traditional look or a more modern corner sofa style dining area? The style of furniture you choose will likely dictate the aesthetic for the overall look.
Once you’ve decided on that, it’s time to get accessorising. Outdoor cushions, mats and throws can be used to dress your kitchen area along with ornaments, flower pots and lanterns. Plus, if your kitchen is sheltered from the elements, you could consider installing a sound system!
If you’d like any more advice on choosing the right materials for your outdoor kitchen, we’d be happy to help. Head to our contact page or browse our full range of paving stones here.
