The four essential elements of outdoor kitchen design—cooking stations, prep areas, storage, and seating—transform backyards into entertainment spaces. Whether you're in Montgomery County, MD or Fairfax County, VA, these design fundamentals ensure your outdoor kitchen is both functional and stylish. Learn how to incorporate each element for maximum comfort and usability year-round.
Cabinetry is really where an outdoor kitchen all starts. It’s the foundation upon which you can build out the rest of your cooking area.
Luckily, outdoor kitchen cabinets come in a variety of styles and materials, so you’re sure to find the foundation that matches your vision. If you opt for stainless steel outdoor cabinetry from Danver Cabinets or Brown Jordan, you can leave it bare or powder coat it to virtually any color.
Stone is another popular material used in upscale outdoor cabinetry. Stone layouts are usually custom kitchen designs drawn up by your outdoor kitchen contractor, which then use stainless steel inserts for the cabinets.
Kitchen cabinetry has been refined and expanded upon over the years and now offers plenty of storage. Depending on the selected unit, there are also places for any number of kitchen appliances, ensuring your outdoor kitchen is just as functional and convenient as any indoor space.
At the most basic level, a Danver stainless outdoor kitchen will have 24” of storage space, a few drawers, an 18” trash pull, and 36” of countertop space. From there, you can build out and add to this layout according to your needs and intended use of the space.
Your options within outdoor grills are numerous:
Outside of grills, other common kitchen appliances include the following:
Integrating your waste disposal system into the cabinetry is preferable for outdoor areas. A separate freestanding trash can could attract animals and could also easily be knocked over by small children or pets. For a more secure, safe, and sanitary setup, a trash pull built straight into the cabinetry is a sensible, easy option.
Outdoor living spaces offer more functionality now than ever. When handled by the right outdoor kitchen designer, they’re beautiful, well-designed, and as comfortable as any interior space. It's no surprise, then, that entertainment has become a popular feature of backyard kitchens.
Most notably, people install outdoor televisions, which are hooked up to cable and outdoor audio systems. With the capability to watch television and to listen to music, this creates a hybrid kitchen and family area. Backyard cooking spaces are no longer just a place to cook; they’re areas to eat, to entertain, and to relax.
For more information about what outdoor kitchen appliances to choose, what kitchen design considerations to bear in mind, and what materials to use for your outdoor kitchen (including cabinets), give us a shout today!
We're Design Builders, and we offer custom high-end outdoor living spaces in Northern Virginia and Maryland. We're always happy to answer your questions or to lend our expertise!