Fifteen Design Suggestions for All-Season, Weather-Protected Outdoor Kitchens
Covered Outdoor Kitchens: A Wise Choice for Any Weather and Style
Embrace the Great Outdoors, rain or shine
Indulge in the luxury of an outdoor kitchen, the perfect setup for entertaining during warm seasons, even when the weather is unpredictable or you prefer a shaded spot. Discover 15 creative, designer-approved ideas to elevate your al fresco dining experience.
Keep Nature Within Reach
Covered outdoor kitchens often feature substantial construction, which may detract from your yard's cohesiveness. To integrate it seamlessly, consider directing your views towards nature—trees or distant landscapes. Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen, suggests using galley-style kitchen layouts with countertops aligned alongside key views for a more harmonious feel.
Bring Everyone Together
Outdoor kitchens are ideal for entertaining, and ensuring seating accommodates guests makes the space truly social. Flank the kitchen with weatherproof seating like a dining table and fire pit, or integrate bar seating opposite the kitchen counters as Lenhart advises.
A Well-Organized Cooking Space
Creating a nook for your outdoor kitchen can offer cover while allowing for fun elements, such as stone pillars and bars. However, be sure to line up appliances that require venting for easy cooking and enhanced visual appeal.
Light Up the Night
Outdoor kitchens can get a dreamy makeover with strategic lighting. Accent your covered space with string lights or install recessed lighting above prep counters. A woven back wall may also be utilized to maintain unobstructed outdoor views, while appliances are concealed.
Protect Your Cooking Appliances
Position your cooking appliances away from direct sunlight for better performance, especially during warmer months. For example, position the back of the appliance away from a westward direction to avoid excessive glare from the late evening sun.
Light Up Task Areas
Taking advantage of an overhead structure, like a pergola or pavilion, is a great opportunity for task lighting. Hang pendant lights over counters and utilize recessed lighting for additional brightness.
Diversify Your Cooking Options
Think beyond the grill and consider incorporating a flat-top cooking surface. Becca Bastyr, senior landscape designer at Mom's Design Build, prefers a flat top for its versatility, including scallops and steak, and suggests adding this feature to your outdoor kitchen.
A Breezy Haven
The choice between a solid roof or a breezy pavilion depends on your specific outdoor space and design style. Opt for an open-slatted pergola for a seaside kitchen to maintain a cool, relaxing ambiance, while still offering shade.
Year-Round Cooking Comfort
Cooking enthusiasts seeking an outdoor kitchen for year-round use may benefit from a full enclosure for cold-weather protection. Include a fireplace to keep the space cozy during winter months.
Blur the Indoor-Outdoor Line
Blurring the line between indoor and outdoor spaces can help a covered kitchen feel less stark. Use materials, furnishings, and accessories that complement both areas. Install a hydraulic serving window connecting the chef's kitchen indoors with the outdoor kitchen for seamless communication and efficiency.
Incorporate Foldaway Windows
Display a sliding glass door to your outdoor kitchen for a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Accordion-style foldaway windows that open directly to the pool and patio may also be utilized to extend the entertaining area.
Take Design Inspiration from Nature
Choose materials that complement your existing landscaping to help blend the outdoor kitchen organically with your yard. For example, use stone pathways, wood accents, or pergolas matching the kitchen’s structure.
Create a Luxurious Oasis
Transform your outdoor kitchen into a luxurious escape with opulent architecture, custom cabinetry, and overhead infrared heaters. Draw inspiration from Balinese architecture, which emphasizes indoor-outdoor living spaces.
Adjustable Pergolas for Versatility
Adjustable louver pergolas are gaining popularity in outdoor kitchens. They provide adaptable coverage—from full shade to cooling, dappled light—making them preferable to fixed covers in most cases.
Disguise Weather-Proof Materials
Outdoor kitchens require weather-resistant materials, but they do not have to sacrifice style. Use faux wood composites that mimic the look of real wood to achieve both durability and a sophisticated aesthetic.
- A covered outdoor kitchen is an excellent choice for any weather and lifestyle, offering the luxury of cooking and entertaining outdoors, rain or shine.
- To integrate a covered outdoor kitchen seamlessly with your home and garden, consider directing your views towards nature, as suggested by Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen.
- Outdoor kitchens can accommodate a social lifestyle, with seating arrangements like dining tables, fire pits, or bar seating providing space for everyone to gather.
- For a well-organized cooking space, ensure appliances that require venting are placed strategically, creating a nook for your outdoor kitchen that offers cover while allowing for fun elements.
- Strategic lighting can transform an outdoor kitchen, with string lights, recessed lighting, and concealed appliances illuminating the space for night-time use.
- To protect cooking appliances and enhance their performance during warm months, position them away from direct sunlight, particularly when facing west to avoid excessive glare from the late evening sun.
