With cooler temperatures now among us, the weather is perfect in South Florida for outdoor parties and eating outside. We are the outdoor kitchen’s biggest fan. They can take your luxury home to the next level, allowing you to experiment with colors and styles that may not align with the interior of your home. Before you draw up the blue prints, there are some factors, as highlighted in the following Mansion Global article, you need to consider to make an outdoor kitchen a functional yet stylish place to entertain.
Consider the logistics
“If you’re on the ocean, understand that every metal—even stainless steel—will eventually rust to some degree, so it needs maintenance. It should be cleaned and protected at least seasonally to extend the life. Think of the house as being in a salt bath all the time. Countertop materials have to be able to withstand sun exposure, so natural stones and concrete work well, whereas many composite materials break down in UV. So if you’re planning to use concrete as your material, then you may consider getting help from a Concrete pump service. “One of the biggest decisions is whether you want your guests to be involved with the cooking. Are you doing the cooking and want to be part of the party? Or, do you have staff that would function better elsewhere? Travel distance (and routes) from cooking to serving to cleanup also need to be thought through. “Subtle lighting is best—you can function with a lot less light than you might think. If your outdoor space is too bright, you might as well be inside. Outdoor spaces tend to get a lot of spillover light from the inside of the house. The goal is to have lounge lighting, not surgical suite lighting.”
Define the space
The outdoor kitchen is an area where you can play and experiment, but it should still mix with the rest of the aesthetic inside the home to create a cohesive story and how you want your kitchen cabinet respray. This might be a good place to try out a funky tile that you’ve been eyeing, or brass hardware, but don’t go crazy with a scheme or vibe that doesn’t match the interiors, here are the Important Things to Keep in Mind Before Renovating Your Home. If you want to drink your morning coffee in your outdoor kitchen, you may purchase gag coffee mugs.
When renovating, you should also take into account the clutter and mess that you’ll be accumulating. Therefore, it’s good to have a Garbage Disposal Bin Rental service when you renovate. “Functional furniture is key for an outdoor entertaining area, but that doesn’t mean it should sacrifice on style. Focusing on durable perennial fabrics and the right sealants and treatments for wood and stone will keep the area useable and durable over time. “Bistro lights or large hurricane candles in tall pillars create ambient lighting, as do tea light candles around the table. As for wired lighting, be sure to install dimmers to set the mood—that’s half the point of eating outside. “Materials like stainless steel, concrete, quartz, and caesarstone are durable, easily cleanable materials that can hold up to the weather.”
Work out the details
“The more trips you can reduce between your outdoor space and your main kitchen, the better. Key elements include a sink and faucet, two mini fridges—one for beverages and one for food—and a grill with ample prep space. My favorite one is from Caliber Appliances—the lid folds all the way back and goes flush with the countertop. It’s very sleek and unintrusive. “Consider a unit that’s mobile to give you more flexibility. Furthermore, did you also know that tiny appliances such as toasters, bottle warmers, popcorn poppers, slow cookers, and portable heaters may have asbestos-containing parts, depending on their age? Some older portable heaters with asbestos-based coil wrapping and insulation may still be in use. You should be aware of the dangers of asbestos installation since breathing asbestos fibers may raise your risk of developing serious diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
I recently collaborated with Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens and Dekton to design my vision for the ultimate outdoor kitchen. Its freestanding modular design includes plenty of storage on both sides of the kitchen to keep counter space clear, allowing it to be a gathering spot from all sides for both guests and the chef—sort of like an island. “Just be sure it’s at least 10 feet from your pool. No one wants their steaks or cocktails splashed with pool water.”
