One of the greatest joys of summer is grilling food outside over an open flame. If you're lucky enough to have some outdoor space, your grill can be more than just a place to flip burgers. With a little design help, you can turn it into an outdoor kitchen—and the centerpiece of all your outdoor entertaining.
“I view the outdoor kitchen as an extension of the great room,” said Allison Babcock, an interior designer in Sag Harbor, N.Y., who often designs outdoor kitchens. “It’s not just a barbecue area; It’s about moving an entire lifestyle outside.”
Just as the indoor kitchen has become the focal point of many homes, the outdoor kitchen is becoming increasingly popular thanks to improved materials and appliances, as well as aesthetic improvements.
“An outdoor kitchen can serve as a beautiful focal point,” says Marie Flanigan, a Houston interior designer who includes an outdoor kitchen in almost every home she designs. “When indoors, people are always drawn to the kitchen, and I think the outdoor kitchen can also become the centerpiece of the outdoor space.”
We asked Ms. Babcock, Ms. Flanigan and other designers for advice on getting started.
Choose the location
Although it may be tempting to choose a remote, unused corner of a large garden or patio as the location for your outdoor kitchen, this is usually not the best choice.
Thank you for your patience as we review access. If you are in reading mode, please exit and log in to your Times account or subscribe to the entire Times edition.
Thank you for your patience as we review access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want the entire Times? Subscribe.
Comments are closed.