The pandemic fomented various shifts in the way we socialize. While some trends, like Zoom hangouts, have thankfully receded, others, like backyard outdoor hangs, are still going strong. And as kitchens tend to be the heart of any home, it’s no wonder that outdoor kitchens are among the top design trends this year. In a 2022 report by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), 61% of respondents said that outdoor kitchens will be a prominent design feature in the next three years, especially among millennials.
While an outdoor kitchen may sound more laid-back than its indoor counterpart, thoughtful planning is no less important. As the NKBA reports, design elements of an outdoor kitchen— cooking, refrigeration, plumbing, counterspace, and storage—shouldn’t intervene with how you use the rest of the patio or deck.
If you’re considering moving or extending your cooking space to the great outdoors, here are some factors that experts say you might be overlooking—but definitely shouldn’t be.
1. Decide how the kitchen space will be used
Your intentions for your outdoor kitchen will shape the entire design process. “Will you be preparing meals for your household or for frequent large gatherings? Knowing how you will use the outdoor kitchen will help you adequately space plan and choose appliances and storage options that are an appropriate size,” says Catherine Staples, principal designer at Aspen and Ivy, an interior design studio, based in Barrie, Ontario, who recently completed a stunning, nature-inspired kitchen in Loretto, Ontario. The big question to ask is: How will the space be used?
2. Mirror your home’s existing materials
