The Ultimate Guide to Designing an Outdoor Kitchen in Chester County

Things To Consider Before You Start

Before you even begin the outdoor kitchen design process, there are a few things that you’ll need to think about first, all of which will heavily inform every design decision you make. So, if you’re planning on building an outdoor kitchen, here is where you should start.

Budget 

The first and most important thing you’ll need to decide beforehand is your budget. Building your dream outdoor kitchen can be quite expensive, and if your budget and your design don’t match up, you might end up being disappointed with the results. So, it’s crucial that you decide what you’re willing to spend early so that you don’t design something that you can’t afford. 

Location and Weather

Another thing you’ll need to consider is where you plan to put your outdoor kitchen and what the weather is like where you live. The first part of this is pretty self-explanatory. If you don’t set aside enough space for your outdoor kitchen, you won’t be able to build it. 

However, the second part of this is often overlooked. The weather will play a big part in how often you are able to enjoy your outdoor kitchen, and if you live in an area like Chester County that has cold winters and a decent amount of rain, you may want to consider adding a roof or some other shelter to your design. 

How Will You Use It?

The last thing you need to think about before starting the design phase is how you plan to use your outdoor kitchen. Do you just want a good grill area where you can host cookouts, or are you looking to get a bit more out of your outdoor space? No matter what your answer is, if you don’t figure out what your specific needs are early, you won’t be able to meet those needs later. 

Essential Outdoor Kitchen Design Tips

Once you’ve figured out all of the above, it's time to start designing your new dream outdoor kitchen. However, while this may seem simple enough, there are a ton of different design choices to consider if you truly want to create the best outdoor kitchen Chester County has to offer. So, here are some tips about everything you need to think about when coming up with your design. 

Choosing Your Layout

The only difference between an outdoor kitchen and a normal one is that one is outside, so it’s no wonder that many of the most common indoor kitchen layouts work great outdoors as well. 

Some of the most common layouts include single-wall, galley style, L-shaped, U-shaped, G-shaped, and island layouts. But while all these layouts have advantages and disadvantages, you should pick a layout that is most suited to meet your specific needs and preferences. 

Choosing Materials

Once you have a layout in mind, you can start thinking about the materials you want to use. The big ones you’ll need to consider are cabinetry and countertops, and you’ll again want to think about the weather and general climate where you live when making a decision. 

In general, stainless steel cabinets are a great choice for outdoor kitchens because of their durability and sleek appearance, but you can properly treat wood and other materials to make them better suited to the outdoors if you want. As for the countertops, granite, ceramic tiles and concrete are all great choices. 

Choosing Appliances 

If you’re just trying to build a good outdoor grill area, then you may not need to think much about appliances. However, if you want something more than that, there are plenty of options to consider. Gas stoves, pizza ovens, and smokers can all add a ton of functionality to any outdoor kitchen. But even if you aren’t into all of that, it’s always a good idea to include space for a small refrigerator to store food and drinks.

Storage and Seating

Another thing you’ll need to think about is storage space and seating. No one wants to have to run back and forth between kitchens because there isn’t enough space to store everything outside, and if you want to spend time with family and friends, you’ll need a place for them to sit. So, think carefully about how much space you’ll need to accommodate all your supplies and guests. 

Lighting

Lighting is an often overlooked aspect of outdoor kitchen design, but that doesn’t mean it's any less important. If you still want to enjoy your outdoor kitchen when the sun goes down, you’ll need to make sure that all the important cooking spaces and seating areas have enough light.

Accessories

Do you have something specific that you want to include with your outdoor kitchen? Whether it’s an outdoor bar, a TV to watch football games, or anything else, there’s always room to add something special to truly make it your own. 

Contact R&S Property Services Today

Are you ready to build an outdoor kitchen Downingtown, PA residents will be jealous of? Give R&S Property Services a call! Their team has extensive experience building all sorts of outdoor living spaces and is well-equipped to bring your dream outdoor kitchen to life. So, don’t push off building your dream outdoor kitchen any longer. Call R&S Property Services and get your next project started today!