Outdoor Lanai Kitchens
The Florida lifestyle offers the luxury of enjoying the outdoors generally all year long.
Homeowners can really take advantage of their outdoor space by opening up the sliding glass doors to the built-in kitchen.
Many lanai areas are underutilized.
The addition of a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen creates a new focal point for entertaining.
The lanai becomes a focal point of enjoyment.
The kitchen can be large or small, depending on wants, needs and budget.
The experience can be further enhanced with special lighting, media or reconfiguration of existing walls.
A new outdoor kitchen will include more than just a grill.
Depending on your budget, you'll want to consider your options for:
An efficient kitchen space will offer smooth transitions from workspace to workspace.
The layout of your outdoor kitchen should be planned with this in mind, even if you can't initially afford to do everything.
You can always add-on as your budget allows.
Ease of Clean-up This is an area to be enjoyed and it should be easy to maintain.
Investigate the durability of the products and the finishes that you choose.
Countertops Stainless steel is a popular option for appliances and sinks because it is resistant to rust and corrosion.
Granite, tile and concrete are popular surface choices because they are resilient in many climates.
Dining/Bar/Seating You need to plan the seating and how many you can accommodate.
Wide bar/seating areas offer flexibility for dining and serving.
Grill/Side Burners There are a myriad of styles and options available for outdoor grills and side inserts.
Just like your indoor kitchen, there are many manufacturers with products of varying qualities.
Your decision will generally be guided by your overall budget.
You may want to consider a grill with side burner inserts.
This will give you greater versatility.
Most grills and burners are fueled by gas/propane.
If your home has natural gas or an in ground propane tank, you can tie into the existing supply.
If you don't have a gas connection, you can opt for propane tanks under the grill.
If you go with the tank option, consider installing two tanks so you can easily switch from one to the other without interruption while cooking.
Exhaust Hood An exhaust hood is also an option.
This could be especially helpful in confined areas and heavy use of the grill.
Sink/Wet Bar Just like your indoor kitchen, you can opt for a single or double sink.
Stainless steel is a favorite.
You might want to consider the way that the sink fits into the counter and cabinet.
A counter that overlaps or is flush with the sink will make clean-up easier.
Refrigeration/Ice Maker Like grill options, there are a myriad of styles and options available for outdoor refrigeration.
Just like your indoor kitchen, there are many manufacturers with products of varying qualities.
Separate wine refrigeration and ice makers are also popular.
Your decision will generally be guided by your overall budget.
Cabinetry/Storage Drawers and cabinets can be customized to accommodate your needs.
You might want to consider "pull-out" options for things like the trash to keep clutter to a minimum.
Cold storage drawers offer a great place to store foods waiting to be prepared without having to run back and forth to the indoor kitchen.
The fronts of cabinets and drawers should be resilient to climate and moisture.
Popular options include stainless steel and dense hardwoods that are weather resistant.
Getting Started Are you still ready to enjoy your private oasis? Once you have your plan, you need to consider implementation.
Tying all of the elements together requires various skills.
Unless you have specific experience, you should consider hiring a professional contractor with experience.
A professional can help you layout the design and point you in the right direction with appliances and finishes.
They will professionally build your outdoor kitchen and your job will be to enjoy it.
Homeowners can really take advantage of their outdoor space by opening up the sliding glass doors to the built-in kitchen.
Many lanai areas are underutilized.
The addition of a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen creates a new focal point for entertaining.
The lanai becomes a focal point of enjoyment.
The kitchen can be large or small, depending on wants, needs and budget.
The experience can be further enhanced with special lighting, media or reconfiguration of existing walls.
A new outdoor kitchen will include more than just a grill.
Depending on your budget, you'll want to consider your options for:
- Extent of Use/Layout
- Ease of Clean-up
- Countertops
- Grill/Side Burners
- Exhaust Hood
- Sink/Wet Bar
- Refrigeration/Ice Maker
- Cabinetry/Storage
An efficient kitchen space will offer smooth transitions from workspace to workspace.
The layout of your outdoor kitchen should be planned with this in mind, even if you can't initially afford to do everything.
You can always add-on as your budget allows.
Ease of Clean-up This is an area to be enjoyed and it should be easy to maintain.
Investigate the durability of the products and the finishes that you choose.
Countertops Stainless steel is a popular option for appliances and sinks because it is resistant to rust and corrosion.
Granite, tile and concrete are popular surface choices because they are resilient in many climates.
Dining/Bar/Seating You need to plan the seating and how many you can accommodate.
Wide bar/seating areas offer flexibility for dining and serving.
Grill/Side Burners There are a myriad of styles and options available for outdoor grills and side inserts.
Just like your indoor kitchen, there are many manufacturers with products of varying qualities.
Your decision will generally be guided by your overall budget.
You may want to consider a grill with side burner inserts.
This will give you greater versatility.
Most grills and burners are fueled by gas/propane.
If your home has natural gas or an in ground propane tank, you can tie into the existing supply.
If you don't have a gas connection, you can opt for propane tanks under the grill.
If you go with the tank option, consider installing two tanks so you can easily switch from one to the other without interruption while cooking.
Exhaust Hood An exhaust hood is also an option.
This could be especially helpful in confined areas and heavy use of the grill.
Sink/Wet Bar Just like your indoor kitchen, you can opt for a single or double sink.
Stainless steel is a favorite.
You might want to consider the way that the sink fits into the counter and cabinet.
A counter that overlaps or is flush with the sink will make clean-up easier.
Refrigeration/Ice Maker Like grill options, there are a myriad of styles and options available for outdoor refrigeration.
Just like your indoor kitchen, there are many manufacturers with products of varying qualities.
Separate wine refrigeration and ice makers are also popular.
Your decision will generally be guided by your overall budget.
Cabinetry/Storage Drawers and cabinets can be customized to accommodate your needs.
You might want to consider "pull-out" options for things like the trash to keep clutter to a minimum.
Cold storage drawers offer a great place to store foods waiting to be prepared without having to run back and forth to the indoor kitchen.
The fronts of cabinets and drawers should be resilient to climate and moisture.
Popular options include stainless steel and dense hardwoods that are weather resistant.
Getting Started Are you still ready to enjoy your private oasis? Once you have your plan, you need to consider implementation.
Tying all of the elements together requires various skills.
Unless you have specific experience, you should consider hiring a professional contractor with experience.
A professional can help you layout the design and point you in the right direction with appliances and finishes.
They will professionally build your outdoor kitchen and your job will be to enjoy it.
Source...