When designing an outdoor kitchen, you should keep certain aspects in mind so that your completed design is functional, attractive, and enhances your personal aesthetic. The goal is to create a long-lasting and practical outdoor living experience. To help you get started, we discuss some of the most important factors that you should consider when determining how to design an outdoor kitchen space, such as textures, materials, colors, accessories, layout, and lighting.
Textures and Materials
The cabinet and countertop materials are important for investment purposes and the overall look of your outdoor kitchen. The Trex Outdoor Kitchens line of cabinetry is made of 304 or 316 grade stainless steel, which is resistant to rust and virtually free of maintenance when powder coated. Our powder coat color palette features shiny, matte, textured, and wood grain finishes, each of which will complement different themes in your space. Besides for cabinet materials, your countertop material will also highlight your look. While Trex Outdoor Kitchens does not manufacture or distribute countertops, a wide variety of options are available, from natural stone such as granite or soapstone to man-made materials such as Dekton or Lapitec.
See Related: Outdoor Kitchen Cabinet Material Options
Layout and Space
To make the best use of the available area, it is vital to consider the size and type of layout that will be most suited for your outdoor kitchen space. We offer a wide variety of outdoor cabinets including base, wall, appliance, and more, ranging in size from 9” to 48” in 3” increments, allowing for almost any configuration. These customization opportunities will be beneficial when you decide your outdoor kitchen layout as well. Try our outdoor kitchen builder to explore different layouts. For a small space, a single row of cabinetry will work best, and including wall cabinets in your outdoor kitchen design will offer more storage. In medium sized spaces, an L shape or a longer row of cabinetry will both work well. While a U shaped layout is the most functional, it will likely work the best in only larger areas. When choosing the layout for your outdoor living area, also consider factors such as access points, sunrise and sunset, and any features nearby (like a pool) that can be used to enhance your space.
Appliances and Amenities
Although Trex Outdoor Kitchens does not manufacture appliances, we distribute a variety of high quality outdoor cooking appliances and offer a multitude of amenities, such as bar stations and sinks. The size and location of your space will inform which appliances and amenities – and which sizes – will function the best in your outdoor kitchen design. Consider your layout and placement of appliances to ensure that they are practical in your outdoor space too. For instance, place your sink, refrigerator, and cooking appliance in a triangle shape to provide an efficient workspace for food preparation and cooking.
Color and Shape
The colors and shapes that you choose when designing your custom outdoor kitchen are important for making a statement and capturing your style. Do you want your outdoor kitchen area to appear modern, rustic, or beachy? Cozy and quiet or open and airy? Depending on the color and door style that you choose, you can achieve any look that you desire, giving you the freedom to coordinate your entire outdoor living space. Choose blues and neutrals for a beachy theme; black and greys for a modern theme; or oranges, browns, and greens for a rustic feel. The shapes and placement of other features, such as your seating area, will also help to achieve your look. Place your seating area in your kitchen with barstools to encourage social interactions or place your seating near an outdoor fireplace or fire table for a quiet, cozy atmosphere.
Lighting and Accessories
Many lighting options are available for an outdoor living space, including fire tables, lanterns, string lights, torches, and even recessed lighting. You can easily use your lighting choice to complement the theme of your space, like recessed lighting for a contemporary look or lanterns for a woodsy feel. If your outdoor space will include a seating area, choose decorations, pillows, and other accessories that complement your color palette in your kitchen to create a fully coordinated outdoor living space.
Keeping these factors in mind when designing your outdoor kitchen area will guarantee that you will create your dream outdoor living experience. Trex Outdoor Kitchens are designed for function and durability with your friends and family’s entertainment in mind and are manufactured from high grade stainless steel with powder coat finishes.