Outdoor kitchens and living spaces are gaining in popularity particularly in parts of the country with more temperate climates. Summer is just around the corner and if you love entertaining family and friends, what better way to make that happen, than by transforming your back yards, decks and patios into spectacular living spaces. It instantly expands the architecture of your home and seamlessly connects you to the environment. But consider these important tips before you get started.
* Filtered Water - Whether you have an in-door or in-refrigerator water dispenser or just an ice maker, having your water filtered is a good idea.The primary function of your new outdoor kitchen/living space is to make sure "you" the chef/host are part of the party! To achieve this, orient the kitchen area toward the yard space and design a dining counter or bar area for guests to gather around you.3. Bottom-freezer Refrigerator - These are very similar to the top-freezer version except the refrigerator is on top and the freezer is usually a pull out drawer on the bottom. It is more convenient as most of your daily use items are at eye level. The bottom freezer though can be awkward as there are no shelves and making it difficult to find specific things.* Automatic defrosting - Most new refrigerators have this as a standard feature and I think it is a must. Gone are the days of having to unplug and defrost yourself.* Rollers - You can lock and unlock wheels as needed making it a lot easier to move the refrigerator. I find this great for cleaning.5. Design Elements4. Side-by-side Refrigerator - This has two separate areas for the refrigerator and freezer side by side. The freezer side a little smaller. This style will be good for smaller kitchens where a wide door clearance is a problem. Most of these come standard with an in-the-door ice and water dispensers. You do lose some space on the refrigerator side as a result of this configuration and you will not be able to fit things like wide platters, cakes boxes and pizza boxes.* Ice Maker - These are pretty standard these daysWhen conceiving of your new outdoor kitchen, always consider the aesthetics and ask yourself: Will the details and materials work with the existing architecture of the home? How does it look from the inside looking out?1. Small Basic Refrigerator - These are best for smaller families, apartments or small kitchens. Generally it is about three to six inches narrower than your regular size refrigerators.If you're planning to incorporate a sink, dishwasher, or ice-maker in your new space, you will need to run water lines from the house out to your new kitchen. If at all possible share the exterior wall of the kitchen where the plumbing already exists for a more cost effective scenario.* In-Door Water and Ice Dispenser - This is usually standard on the side-by-side refrigerators but is harder to get on the others. Recently the French Door models are starting to give this option. This is a great feature to have specially if you have children. Less wasted energy by fewer occasions to open the refrigerator.Colors and FinishesMost refrigerators come in various color choices along with your basic white and black. Stainless steel finish is very popular these days and will cost you approximately $250-$300 more. Some manufacturers are now offering fingerprint-resistant stainless steel. This is just a clear acrylic coat on the finish that resists marks. You can also opt for faux stainless that also resists finger prints.
Select materials that are best suited to your climatic conditions, and will withstand the test of time. Slab countertops of granite, soapstone, concrete and stainless steel all hold up well to the elements. Tiles work as well but the grout tends to crack over time and if not sealed properly could create problems down the road.
Author: Lori Gilder
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