Creating Backyard Kitchen Designs the Right Way for perfect outdoor entertaining
There’s ample opportunity to be outside regardless of where you live in Australia and backyard kitchen designs have been a popular addition with the growing trend to cook and entertain outdoors to enjoy more time in open spaces and fresh air.
The issue can be that you don’t know where to start, you have limited space or you simply don’t have the time with your work and other commitments. They are very real problems that we solve with our residential full design service.
So what are the considerations in designing a backyard kitchen to give you an outside area that you love spending time in?
5 Considerations for your outdoor area
- Lifestyle
While you may be single now, it’s a good idea to plan for the future. Designing an outdoor kitchen for your current lifestyle doesn’t give enough fore-thought for what’s ahead. If you think that a partner and kids are in the plan then discuss this with us so we can design accordingly.
If you entertain regularly, you think you’ll be single for life (or at least long enough to not worry about the future) but your abode is too small to have a few friends over then having them spill from the indoors – out, is a great way to stay social and enjoy your space without invading elbow room.
Hence, having a home extension or renovation where you can open large doors to an undercover area with an outdoor kitchen and dining area or lounge is ideal.
- Space
You can have all the grand designs you want but if your floor space is small, you are going to be limited to what you can do with the floor plan unless you’re prepared to build up or build down.
If you want an outdoor kitchen and your budget affords it, we can recommend other renovations such as building up to create more space with a double or triple storey, a basement or restructuring your current home to allow for extra space and the outdoor entertaining area you’re keen to see happen. Innovative Space Design are experts at creating spaces that people love regardless of the size of your block and can design a space you’ll want to come home to every day.
- Climate
How your outdoor kitchen and entertaining area are designed will greatly depend on where you live. Living in Queensland as opposed to say, Tasmania means varying the design to suit the climate.
Designs can include undercover, the use of specific plants in the landscaping of your outdoor area, the use of furniture and walls, shapes and panels for shade and light variance and whether your stove and other appliances are tucked away out of sight and out of the weather when not in use.
- Functionality
What you incorporate into your backyard kitchen will depend on the design (ie under cover or not) and how much functionality you want when using that kitchen. With a fully decked out backyard kitchen with an undercover area, room for a fridge, sink and hot plates, it makes it easy to extend your living space.
- Budget
While it’s all good and well to design the outdoor area of your dreams, it may be that your budget simply doesn’t allow it. When we design, we speak with you about what’s feasible and keep things on track and on budget.
Sometimes it’s better to hold off just a bit longer in order to have the additional things you want in your outdoor entertaining area. We provide the right advice regarding fittings and fixtures to meet your budget. Some of our clients are able to request highly functional and stunning outdoor areas including pool and undercover and leave it to us to provide the right design based on their wishes. It’s a consultative process so we fully understand your vision and translate that into a space you absolutely love.
Starting your design may be better scheduled for the best season to allow for our partner building company to do the work. This too can allow you to save extra and incorporate it into your design.
Creating an outdoor space that works for you without breaking your budget is possible. Sometimes, we work with the space you have to ensure you can use it for most seasons of the year.
With a fully decked out backyard kitchen with an undercover area, room for a fridge, sink and hot plates, it makes it easy to extend your living space.
Innovative Space Design hopes you’ve enjoyed viewing the above images of outdoor areas with kitchens we have designed for our clients. If you’re keen to start the outdoor area design process then we welcome you to call us and have an initial discussion.