Exteriors
|Kitchens
Designing the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen & Lounge for Your Pacific Northwest Home
Outdoor kitchens are one of the most requested features in newly built homes. They’re ideal for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors with your loved ones and are a great addition to extend your living space in existing homes. For homeowners in the Pacific Northwest, creating a backyard kitchen is all about balancing functionality, weather resistance, and cozy aesthetics.
Key Elements for an Outdoor Kitchen in the Pacific Northwest
Any home can have a grilling station, but what makes an outdoor kitchen different is that it includes kitchen essentials — like a sink with running water, a cooktop, prep areas, storage space, and even a refrigerator. With 155 days per year of measurable rainfall and occasional freezing temperatures, overhead cover and heating options are essential for creating a comfortable outdoor kitchen in the Pacific Northwest. Overhead cover also provides much-needed shade during hot and dry summer temperatures that often reach 90-plus degrees.
Another element of keeping your space comfortable is making sure it is protected from the wind and offers a measure of privacy. It’s also important to consider the optimal placement of appliances, workstations, and seating areas to create a proper flow for both cooking and socializing and to add lighting to accommodate nighttime cooking. Including outdoor heaters or a fire pit in your entertainment space can also help keep it inviting year-round.
Choosing Durable Materials for Your Outdoor Kitchen
Because of our undeniable rainfall in the Pacific Northwest, it’s crucial to select durable materials when designing your outdoor kitchen space. You’ll want to select waterproof cabinets and weather-resistant stainless steel appliances designed for outdoor use, like grills, refrigerators, sinks, and pizza ovens.
Another consideration with outdoor kitchen materials is their reaction to heat and whether they absorb stains. Stainless steel and dark stone will absorb heat from direct sunlight, making them too hot to touch during the summertime. Porcelain countertops are non-porous and resistant to stains, mold, and mildew, making them a great outdoor option, while natural stone countertops like granite or quartzite are known for their durability and heat resistance.
Design Inspiration for Your Outdoor Entertainment Space
When considering the overall design of your outdoor kitchen and entertainment space, start by collecting outdoor living inspiration from Pinterest, magazines, or homes in your neighborhood. Consider how the space will flow with your indoor spaces. For example, if you don’t want an outdoor fridge, it might be helpful to be oriented near your indoor kitchen so you’re not hauling food across the yard.
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You’ll also need to think about whether the space will be attached to your home or separate, how often you plan to use it, and which seasons you’ll be using it. If you’re planning on hosting lots of people, you’ll need to accommodate adequate seating options, whether that’s a large dining table or a casual seating area. When planning which amenities and appliances to include, think about whether you’ll be preparing basic meals or intricate offerings.
Choose Neil Kelly for Your Outdoor Kitchen Remodeling Project
From creating welcoming pergolas to transforming dreary decks, Neil Kelly’s dedicated project managers will handle every aspect of your outdoor kitchen remodeling project. Our team specializes in combining function and style to create the outdoor entertainment space of your dreams.