Install the Outdoor Kitchen of Your Dreams
An outdoor kitchen is an investment that can certainly add value to a home, but it is most valuable to the homeowner who plans to use it day after day to cook for their family and friends. Creating an outdoor kitchen station with space to cook, bake, grill, and entertain can elevate dining at home experiences to a new level and encourage families to create lasting memories in the beautiful outdoors.
Choosing the Ideal Location for Your Outdoor Kitchen
The first aspect to consider when planning an outdoor kitchen is the location. The best area outside your home needs to have enough open space to offer an optimal flow of people, especially if you intend to host large parties or if you will be cooking for large groups of people. Your guests should be able to move easily from indoors to the outdoor kitchen and through the rest of the yard, pool deck area, or other outdoor spaces you may have.
Cooking outdoors should be an experience that allows the host to still entertain guests while preparing food. That means the kitchen should be positioned in a way that allows the host to see and interact with family and guests while cooking.
Designing Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen
An outdoor kitchen requires a range of different pieces and materials. Choosing the right options can seem a bit overwhelming, but an expert in outdoor kitchen installation from Gallivan Corporation can help. The options for your outdoor kitchen are nearly endless, and our talented team is more than capable of designing a concept that will bring your ideas to life.
Exploring Material Choices for Durability and Aesthetics
When a homeowner chooses to invest in an outdoor kitchen, they are investing in a lifestyle that prioritizes fun, relaxation, and communal experiences. The right materials will go a long way toward making sure that the outdoor kitchen stands the test of time and provides many years of enjoyment with minimal maintenance. Homeowners should consider each element of the kitchen, including the appliances, countertops, and flooring, ensuring the materials are resistant to harsh weather and easy to clean and maintain.
- Appliances: Stainless steel appliances are weather-resistant, making them a solid choice for outdoor kitchen appliances. Grills, stovetops, ovens, and refrigerators are all frequently and affordably available in stainless steel finishes.
- Preparation Surfaces: Food preparation surfaces, such as countertops and islands are another important aspect of outdoor kitchens. Some common countertop options that are resistant to chipping, cracking, and staining include granite, concrete, soapstone, and limestone. Each material has its own pros and cons but can work in many scenarios, depending on the look and budget of the homeowner.
- Flooring: An outdoor kitchen station must be placed on a solid, level surface. Large, concrete paving stones are a good option because there are fewer joints between the tiles that will need scrubbing, but any patio surface can work as long as it is level.
- Structure: Outdoor kitchens are built around a frame, and the material of that frame can have a huge impact on the longevity of the kitchen. In a climate like upstate New York, where freeze and thaw cycles are a standard part of each year, concrete blocks and plastic options are the best choice for the kitchen structure, as they are most impervious to temperature fluctuations and will last longer.
The Gallivan Approach to Outdoor Kitchen Installation
As with every service we offer, the Gallivan approach to outdoor kitchen installation starts with what you want for your home. Our experts have helped design and install hundreds of outdoor kitchens, and we will be with you every step of the way to guide your choices and make sure you are thrilled with the final results.
Tailoring Designs to Client Visions
Before investing in an outdoor kitchen, a homeowner should spend some time looking for inspiration. Whether it means touring open houses with outdoor kitchens, scouring the internet, or consulting design websites and magazines, the best place to start is figuring out what appeals to you in comparison to what you can afford to install.
Gallivan experts can help review a homeowner’s inspirational images as well as the ones they do not like to help them sculpt a vision that makes those dreams come to life.
Expertise in Integration with Existing Landscapes
An outdoor kitchen is the perfect addition to an already welcoming and well-maintained outdoor space. For homeowners who already love their yards, it is important to integrate the look and feel of the outdoor kitchen with the surrounding landscape. Choosing materials that work seamlessly with patios, plants, and the exterior of the home are a natural choice.
The team at Gallivan has demonstrated expertise in integrating outdoor kitchens with existing landscapes. In addition to choosing materials that match all the existing structures, elements such as a fresh herb garden can help to integrate the new outdoor kitchen with the surrounding natural world.
Maximizing Functionality and Style in Your Outdoor Kitchen
Like an indoor kitchen, an outdoor grilling kitchen with the right design can be both beautiful and functional. In addition to choosing the right materials and integrating the kitchen design with the existing landscape, the layout of the kitchen can have a significant impact on the kitchen’s functionality.
One key consideration for functionality is making sure that the kitchen is protected from the elements, including the heat of the summer sun. A shade structure built over an outdoor kitchen will not only make cooking more comfortable in the summer, but it will also help protect the structure and appliances in the kitchen from damage caused by exposure to the sun, rain, wind and snow, which could easily shorten the lifespan of appliances.
Homeowners should also consider the lighting in the outdoor kitchen, as many outdoor dinner parties may take place at night. A shade structure can also be used to install overhead lighting, or you could install freestanding lights and lanterns to create a cozy atmosphere. For warm summer nights, installing flaming torches with citronella oil around the outer perimeter of the outdoor kitchen can help keep flying insects at bay. Additionally, plants like lavender, marigolds, and mint repel mosquitoes and add some visual appeal to an outdoor space.
Innovative Layouts for Entertaining and Cooking
Although every outdoor kitchen may feature the same basic elements, such as an area to cook in the form of an outdoor cooking station and an area to prepare food, the possibilities are endless for an outdoor kitchen layout. At its most basic level, an effective outdoor kitchen is divided into zones for cooking, preparing food (e.g., chopping, making salads), serving, and entertaining (e.g., making drinks). These zones can be arranged or combined in any way that makes sense for the space.
Some other options to consider for an impressive outdoor kitchen include:
- Bar seating, so guests can easily converse with the chef
- Patio seating with comfortable chairs and tables for guests
- Outdoor fireplace or firepits for chilly nights
- Central island for food preparation or family-style serving
Connect with Gallivan for Your Outdoor Kitchen Project
The team of professionals at Gallivan Corporation understands that each landscape design is different, and we will offer plenty of expert advice to ensure your outdoor space is utilized to its fullest potential. Our team will work with you every step of the way to ensure that the final result is something you will love for years to come. Contact us to request a quote today and get your new outdoor kitchen ready for summer.