The ultimate way to elevate the outdoor living experience to the next level is the addition of a fully functional, super sleek outdoor kitchen.
Outdoor kitchens are increasingly being seen in the design of high-end homes both in the city on urban roof terraces as well as in the leafier parts of town and country.
The concept of utilising the garden as a place to relax and entertain as an extra room of the home is now very well established and, consequently, a longer term view is now being taken by both home owners and property developers, who are realising that how we cook outdoors has evolved.
The kitchen has long been the heart of the home and outdoor kitchens have become the hub of entertaining outdoors by integrating both cooking and entertaining spaces. With an outdoor kitchen, the entire food preparation process is revolutionised as it can be moved completely outdoors, along with storage of all the essential equipment; so no more dashing back inside for tools and forgotten items.
It is essential to choose marine-grade stainless steel cabinets, specifically designed for use outdoors with magnetic seals that are waterproof and impervious to dust, insects and bugs. It is also important to choose an integrated grill designed and manufactured to commercial standards which incorporates illuminated controls and task lighting within the grill - do make sure every element is exacting and best in class for life outdoors - look for brass burners and ceramic briquettes to ensure even heat distribution allowing cooking of an entire roast, not just a few sausages!
Indeed, outdoor kitchens are often more luxurious than the conventional indoor kitchen as space limitations can disappear outdoors and teppenyaki plates, warming drawers and even cocktail stations become feasible luxuries. If space and budget allow, then an outdoor fridge or even a dishwasher can be incorporated in the design - but that wouldn’t be everything - of course there must be the kitchen sink too! Mains water, gas and electricity connections can be taken from either existing points or run from the main property - do consider the location of these services when planning the positioning of the kitchen.
The aesthetic of the kitchen should be tied in with materials used in either the hard landscaping of garden design or the architecture of the property to achieve a result which blends
the style of the kitchen seamlessly with the exterior design of the home and garden. Cladding in stone, slate or render to match the property should be considered to make sure the memory of the free-standing rusty BBQ is gone forever.
Granite makes the most practicable work surface as it can handle the heat of the grill and the vagaries of the climate. Alternatively, for a quick solution avoiding water and gas
installations, choose a ready to go modular, free-standing outdoor kitchen designed with fewer appliances and fueled by bottled gas hidden within one of the steel cabinets.
With a granite surface, contemporary HPL (High Pressure Laminate) finish and hermetically sealed cabinets the Island Outdoor Kitchen has the added benefit of being able to be
transported and easily relocated when moving home.
