Watch any home renovation show these days and you’ll quickly understand the value of a good outdoor space.  Though garden space can be limited in the UK, a nice outdoor kitchen (complete with a grill and under counter fridge freezer) will do wonders for the resale value of your home.  If you’re ready to create that outdoor cooking space you’ve always dreamed of, here are a few quick and easy tips for getting the job done right.

Keeping it simple

Your garden cooking area should feel like an escape – not like you just picked up your kitchen and moved it outside.  While kitchen renovations can cost you a fortune and, in worst case scenarios, keep you out of your home for weeks at a time, the wonderful thing about creating an outdoor entertaining space is that it can be done with minimal time and money spent.  Keeping your kitchen to a basic island design will save you plenty of headaches while giving you plenty of space for your essentials – a grill, some prep space, and perhaps some drawer fridges and a couple of burners.

Choosing the right materials

Let’s face it – weather in the UK can be unpredictable, which is why you need to choose materials for your outdoor kitchen that can withstand a variety of conditions.  Stainless steel, corian, and flagstone are all solid choices, but for a cheap and low-maintenance option that plays well to the natural environment, I like a faux stone vaneer.  Cementitious cultured stone is not only cheaper and lighter than real stone, but it also lasts just as long and it much easier to work with.

Consider your budget

When all is said and done, many homeowners are going to do whatever it takes to create their dream outdoor space.  That said, there are a few things you should consider before starting your project.  Are you using a gas grill?  If so, you may be able to save money by adding a gas stove and running both appliances on the same line.  On the other hand, if you need that fridge for beverages and would like to throw in a couple induction hobs, then you’ll need to figure in electricity costs.  These things can add up, but for some people they’re worth splurging for.

How did you create your ultimate entertainment space?  Join the conversation and let us know below!

Did you know?

E.G. Kingsford may have invented the modern charcoal briquette, but he was hardly the only famous person in his family; the lumberman was a distant relative of American industrialist Henry Ford.

-Jeff O.

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