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The typical family barbeque setup used to consist of a table and chairs plus the grill. Sides were often cooked indoors and brought outside when the food on the grill was ready. Today, however, increasing numbers of people are opting for a whole outdoor kitchen. Instead of filling a cooler with ice, the drinks are already chilled in the fridge. A sink makes cleanup a breeze, and extra counter space makes it easy to create a self-serve area for the food to be placed. Outdoor kitchens can range from simple to elaborate, and the price will range from budget-friendly to incredibly pricey.
Starting the Design – What’s Needed?
Consider what appliances are needed for the outdoor kitchen as well as the amount of space available to dedicate to the kitchen area. If there’s already a grill that can be used, appliances to add may include a sink with a garbage disposal, a refrigerator, a small freezer, and even a dishwasher. Countertops can be table-height, counter-height, or bar-height and can be as large or small as desired.
Considering the Materials
The materials have a large impact on how the kitchen will look when it’s completed and how long it will last. Concrete, stone, brick, wood, and other materials can all be used for the kitchen cabinets. Quartz, granite, and other countertop materials can be used for the countertop spaces in the outdoor kitchen. If budget is a concern, there are budget-friendly materials that can be used with spectacular results.
Pricing Impacts
When it comes to pricing an outdoor kitchen, the overall cost is hard to narrow down before the design is finalized because there is a lot that can have an impact on it. Some of the things that can impact the price include the following.
- Fixtures and Appliances – High-end fixtures and appliances may look better, but they’re going to be more expensive to use.
- Materials Used – Some materials are going to be significantly more expensive than others. Lower-cost materials can look great and reduce the price.
- Patio Surface – If the patio will not support the materials for the outdoor kitchen, it may be necessary to replace the patio. This can add quite a bit to the overall cost of an outdoor kitchen.
- Plumbing and Electrical – If there isn’t already plumbing and electrical in areas that can be easily extended to the outdoor kitchen, running new electrical lines and pipes is needed.
- Accessibility – If the backyard isn’t accessible, it’s going to be more expensive to build an outdoor kitchen because of the added labor.
Outdoor kitchens are the perfect option for anyone who loves to entertain and wants to take advantage of the gorgeous spring and summer weather. The price of the outdoor kitchen, however, can seem to be a bit expensive when looking at averages. Whether the goal is a high-end outdoor kitchen that has everything needed to cook amazing meals or a budget-friendly kitchen that has the necessities and is perfect for entertaining, it is possible to create a kitchen outside the home. Consider the pricing impacts above to see what can cause the price to vary during the design process and start designing the perfect outdoor kitchen today.
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