September 14, 2005 archive

Building outdoor kitchens is all the rage and if you haven’t already built one, I’m sure you’ve got an outdoor kitchen plan for your home. And why not upgrade your backyard to be the hot spot on the block for entertaining and relaxing …

Outdoor kitchens increase your living space and add tremendous value to your home. That’s why building outdoor kitchens is the second most popular remodeling project after indoor kitchens.

However, a great outdoor kitchen is a complex project.

You can certainly enjoy your backyard and grill up some tasty BBQ on any charcoal or gas grill, but to truly bring your kitchen outdoors requires significant planning, skill and expertise. This project is not a do-it-yourselfer.

Here’s what you’ll need to consider:

Your basic outdoor kitchen set-up will include a built-in barbeque grill, countertop, sink, refrigerator, outdoor kitchen cabinets and cozy outdoor furniture or barstools for yourself and all your guests to kick back.

The barbeque grills on the market today offer so many bells and whistles shop around to determine how much grill you want.

Next, the type of countertop surface is a crucial decision when building outdoor kitchens. Options include tile, quartz, solid surface, granite and other natural stones. Choosing the right countertop will ensure years of enjoyment and admiration. The wrong one …years of hassle and headaches.

Additional Luxuries

For the ultimate in luxury, you may also consider installing pergolas, stereos, ceiling fans, fire pits and more. Even TVs are moving outside.

Comfort & Flow

Comfort is key to enjoying your outdoor kitchen and entertainment space. But before you empty your wallet on that imported teak dining set with bar stools, take a look at the space you have available and decide how it’s going to “flow.”

Everyone needs a little space so, make sure your outdoor kitchen plan accounts for some basic and standard construction measurements to allow plenty of room to sit and move about.

Also keep in mind protection from the sun, rain and wind.

Outdoor Kitchen Location

Easy access to your primary kitchen is still important for overall convenience. And building outdoor kitchens requires access to water, electricity and gas, which means this project will almost certainly require a permit. You’ll have many discussions with your contractor about all of these items, but this should get the juices flowing.

Visit Perfect Backyard Oasis for a more thorough discussion about building outdoor kitchens.

Furniture, whether inside or outside the house, adds the required charm to the four bland brick and mortar walls. Outdoor furniture is not meant to be the scrap that indoor furniture has turned into after so many years of usage. Your outdoor furniture not only adds value to the quality of life but also enables you to enjoy nature, with extreme comfort. The variety and quality of outdoor furniture available in the market belies the claims of conservationists who tend to hold the opinion about primacy of indoor furniture. From plastic to wicker to wood to metals, outdoor furniture is available in every material.

Buying and maintaining parameters for outdoor furniture are quite different from indoor furniture. This article aims to provide you with all the basic dos and don’ts while dealing with outdoor furniture.

The first step, of course, is to decide upon the material you prefer in your outdoor furniture. If opting for wooden furniture, Amish made furniture can be an ideal choice for indoor furniture but woods like redwood, teak, balau, cypress, eucalyptus and white oak are naturally suited for outdoor furniture. These woods are insect and rot-resistant that is vital for any outdoor furniture article. These woods have also shown sufficient signs of weather resistance. Ideally, your choice of outdoor furniture depends a great deal on the weather prevalent in your area. Weather can be the biggest enemy of outdoor furniture. Rains, heat and dust could create havoc for a delicate furniture item. If the weather is mild and pleasant, even carefully crafted Amish handcrafted furniture can be given a try. Amish furniture adds gloss to your outdoors and lends grace to your indoors! The general features for outdoor wooden furniture include substantial look and feel, ease of cleaning, periodic maintenance and always cool to touch.

If your choice is wicker furniture for your outdoors, then Rattan vine is the usual material used in making some exotic wicker chairs and tables. The general features for outdoor wicker furniture includes – lightweight, comfortable, tight uniform weave with no splinters, distinctive look and use of some synthetic material like resin.

If your choice is metallic furniture, then aluminum is your best friend for outdoor comforts. Good aluminum furniture will give out a unique look and is also extremely light weight being made of hollow aluminum tubes. Aluminum furniture come either in wrought aluminum or cast aluminum, and both are equally good. The general features for outdoor aluminum furniture includes – durability, rust-free, lightweight, weather-resistant, formal and easy to maintain.

Plastic furniture is also gaining grounds these days more due to its cost-effectiveness than good looks.

Do not forget to keep the budget on outdoor furniture under check. Generally, your outdoors should not look overcrowded with furniture stuffed in every nook and corner. Few but unique furniture items on the outdoors is the ideal approach. Never go by the beauty of the furniture article. Your requirements always come first. So, it’s always handy to have your requirements in mind before you set foot to buy outdoor furniture.

Maintenance of outdoor furniture is another yardstick that should be given due regard. Wood and aluminum furniture comes on top for the maintenance criterion. A good polish or varnish can easily prolong the life of outdoor furniture.