Essentials for your outdoor kitchen

If you spend a lot of time entertaining, it’s only fitting that you should have an area outside to accommodate you and your guests. A patio is the perfect spring or summer hangout spot, offering a place for you and your visitors to relax. But instead of running back and forth between your indoor kitchen and your patio, consider installing a small outdoor kitchen as well. This way, you can spend more time with your guests and less time inside prepping and cooking. Here are some essentials for the perfect outdoor kitchen:

Designate zones
For a functional and organized outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to divide the space into different areas, like prepping, cooking, serving and cleaning. This helps produce a natural flow and makes cooking and entertaining much more organized and simple.

A bar top
A bar area allows your guests to have a seat, and you can stand behind the bar getting dinner or drinks ready while you chat with friends. Your guests can see all of the cooking action go down right in front of them. If you have guests that love to help you cook, make sure there is ample space for plenty of hands in the prep areas.

Sturdy faucet
Because this kitchen is going to be susceptible to the elements, it’s important that you choose fixtures that can withstand the outdoor conditions. Stainless steel is a durable material to select for you outdoor kitchen faucet. You could even carry your indoor vintage kitchen design outside with oil-rubbed bronze fixtures for an antique look.

Include appropriate lighting
If you’re planning for a late dinner party, you’ll be cooking well after the sun goes down. Instead of whipping up your meal in the dark, bring ample lighting to your outdoor kitchen. Hang overhead lights like pendants above the prepping, cooking and dining areas to ensure that there is consistent lighting throughout your patio.

A trash can
To keep you and your guests from running inside to throw things away and then back outside to enjoy the party, set out several trash cans. This will not only be convenient for you and your visitors, it will keep your party space clean too.

Easy-to-clean flooring
Messes happen – there’s no doubt about that. But having a flooring material, like tile, that allows for easy cleanup is great. Your guests won’t have to feel bad about leaving a stain and you’ll love how quickly you can wipe it up.