We can all agree that every homeowner’s dream is to have a custom outdoor kitchen. It is like having a mini-resort in your compound or backyard, except better because it is exactly how you want it; your own creation and design.
Custom-built outdoor kitchens are like a canvas. They can be anything you want. However, if you are not a designer, this can be just a dream with no way of actualizing it. Without the fundamental knowledge of designing outdoor kitchens, you are worried about making mistakes.
Here are some things you should give thought to before building your custom outdoor kitchen:
Consider These 10 Things Before Building Your Custom Outdoor Kitchen
- Where You Want Your Outdoor Kitchen
Even the best custom-built outdoor kitchens start with a dream, a growing desire which grows into actualization. Take a similar path; get a good picture of what you want your home to look like. Does it include an outdoor kitchen? Where is it?
Work towards that dream and vision of where your outdoor kitchen would be and what it will look like, and soon enough, with the proper steps, you will watch your dream actualize, just like you pictured it.
- Your Budget
Building a custom outdoor kitchen is not a one-day thing; it is a planned process. You need to plan the entire process, and one of the most important things to plan is the budget.
You will need materials, grills, counters, cabinets, and other materials. Put into the plan.
Ensuring that you have a budget opens up the process by ensuring that you are ready to get what is needed for the project to come to life. A budget also helps you stay on your toes; nothing surprises you.
- The Vibe You Are Going For
Knowing what you want the custom outdoor kitchen to add or bring into your home is key. Do you want it to be more of a casual setting or an entertainment setting? Is it somewhere to chill with family in the dark and have a barbeque, or is it a little more reserved?
Answering these questions helps everything fall into place, including the materials, the colors to incorporate, and the furniture to bring into your outdoor kitchen. It helps you budget to create the setting of your dreams in your backyard.
- The Necessary Materials
You need to know what is needed to bring your custom outdoor kitchen to completion. Start planning way ahead of time. Some people start as early as five years before starting the project.
Knowing what you need, whether or not you will be doing it yourself, has its benefits. For instance, you can travel abroad and see a piece that could match what you want in your kitchen, and you can get it because you know what you want and what you need for it.
You also save yourself from being swindled by cunning designers and contractors who take advantage of your oblivion.
- Maintenance
Always consider what it takes to maintain different custom-built outdoor kitchens and how much of it you can afford. This applies to the materials, the grills, and the entire system keeping your custom outdoor kitchen.
With this in mind, you can get materials that are easy to clean and ensure that the outdoor kitchen builders you have working with can ensure that the kitchen system is easy to maintain.
If the kitchen is entirely unsheltered, you could consider getting waterproof materials for tables and chairs or couches. Everything in your outdoor kitchen requires a lot of thought.
- Why Do You Want The Custom Outdoor Kitchen?
Backyard kitchens and grills come in different designs, styles, and setups. Therefore, getting a kitchen of choice is not a problem if you already know what you want with your kitchen.
Do you want an outdoor kitchen to host more barbecues? Do you want an outdoor kitchen to bring your family together?
Answering these questions helps determine the style and setup of your custom outdoor kitchen, the size of the outdoor kitchen, and the materials used to make it. For instance, a hosting kitchen is expected to be bigger than an outdoor family kitchen.
- Your Ideas For The Outdoor Kitchen
You will never run out of ideas; anytime you go window shopping for your kitchen, a new idea will spark. Any time you talk to a designer, a new idea will pop up. Therefore, before building your custom outdoor kitchen, have your original and new ideas on record.
All the records give you alone time to decide what you really need for your outdoor kitchen. Do not let outsiders bring their dream into your dream kitchen; rather, ensure that you let your dream and ideas be known to everyone involved to get what you envisioned.
Share your ideas with the store owners when you shop, the contractors, and the outdoor kitchen builders to ensure your dream comes to life, and even better with more insights you gain along the way.
- Know Whether You Want A Satellite Or Perimeter Kitchen
Before getting any backyard kitchens and grills, this is an important factor to consider. Satellite kitchens are located far from the main house, while an outdoor perimeter kitchen is located next to the house or quite near it.
This helps the outdoor kitchen builders in the project to figure out whether there could be any shared amenities or not. A satellite kitchen may be more costly because of the utility lines. Consider both options in terms of convenience and cost to help in budgeting.
- Can Your Space Handle The Outdoor Kitchen?
Before building a custom outdoor kitchen, you need to consider the space in which the kitchen will sit. Is it big enough to handle what you need? What will you do about utility lines?
Once you answer these questions, you can get the best location for your outdoor kitchen. You can now get a design that suits the size of the space, and you can also choose a design nearer to the main house to avoid dealing with utility lines.
- Do You Need A Professional?
Whether or not you want to work with outdoor kitchen builders on your project or not has to be something you decide even before you start making your budget.
In fact, it weighs in the budget because if you decide to work with designers and outdoor kitchen builders, it will cost quite a lot of money.
On the other hand, you may be handy or have an eye for designs and therefore choose to do part or all of the project alone as a DIY project. This can save you a lot of money. The choice is up to you!
Ready To Get Your Dream Custom Outdoor Kitchen?
ESC Outdoor Living can help bring your custom outdoor kitchen together with fantastic kitchen cabinets. Call us today for stylish, durable cabinets!