Now is the Time: Tips for Setting Up a Garden Kitchen

Cooking in your garden is the perfect way to spend fun times with family and friends on hot summer days. By extending dining areas beyond the confines of indoor spaces, you can prepare delicious meals while enjoying nature.
Outdoor kitchen installation requires proper planning and careful design. MERMERSA offers you some basic information to help you prepare your garden kitchen in the best way.

Things to Consider When Building an Outdoor Kitchen

To ensure a successful outdoor kitchen project, it’s essential to plan each stage carefully. From location selection to final installation, here are the key steps to consider:

1. Choosing the Right Location

• Placing the outdoor kitchen close to your house allows for easy access to your indoor kitchen, making it more convenient for food prep and cleanup.

• If you prefer a more distant spot in the yard, you’ll need to make the outdoor kitchen fully self-sufficient—with extra storage, refrigeration, and cooking facilities. Keep in mind that this will likely raise your initial setup costs.

• However, installing it too close to your home might cause cooking odors to drift indoors. To minimize this, consider the prevailing wind direction and position the kitchen so that smoke and odors are carried away from the house.

• Avoid placing grills or cooking appliances near flammable materials like wooden fences, pergolas, or deck structures.

• Positioning your outdoor kitchen away from the main garden walkways improves both safety and aesthetics. It helps reduce foot traffic and creates a more peaceful, organized cooking zone.

• Your kitchen should be seamlessly integrated into your landscaping—both functional and attractive. It should feel inviting and accessible to guests, while also offering comfort and a degree of privacy.

2. Layout and Design

Design your outdoor kitchen with the classic work triangle in mind—connecting the refrigerator, sink, and cooking area. For an efficient workflow, these three zones should be close to each other but not crowded, allowing comfortable movement while preparing meals.

Shade Solutions

No matter your climate, it’s essential—and relatively simple—to create a shaded area that protects you from harsh sunlight or unexpected rain. Here are some effective ways to add shade to your outdoor kitchen:

• Pergola:
  A wooden or metal pergola provides partial shade while maintaining an open, airy feel. Adding climbing plants like ivy or jasmine enhances the shade and introduces a natural, inviting aesthetic.

• Umbrellas or Sunshades:
  Large, adjustable umbrellas and retractable sunshades are flexible, temporary solutions that can be positioned as needed and easily retracted when not in use.

• Canopies or Awnings:
  Great for covering larger areas, waterproof awnings offer both sun and rain protection. They can be fixed or retractable, depending on your preference and budget.

• Climbing Plants:
  For a more organic and decorative approach, train climbing plants over pergolas or trellises. They provide natural shade and visual softness to the kitchen setting.

Make your shaded area more functional by furnishing it with dining tables, lounge seating, or even hammocks. This turns the space into a versatile zone for eating, relaxing, or entertaining guests.

3. Infrastructure Planning

During the initial setup, it’s far more practical and visually appealing to install plumbing lines and electrical wiring for sinks and appliances upfront, rather than adding them later. Always use materials that are rated for outdoor use, meaning they are resistant to moisture, UV exposure, and temperature changes.

If your kitchen will include gas-powered appliances, decide between a fixed natural gas line or portable propane tanks. A fixed gas line is more convenient for frequent use but involves a more complex and costly installation process.

4. Material Selection

Choose materials that can withstand the challenges of outdoor environments. Granite, quartz, and stainless steel are all popular and reliable options. It’s also important to ensure these materials visually align with your home’s architecture and landscaping.

• Granite: Known for its durability, heat resistance, and natural beauty, granite is ideal for outdoor countertops.

• Quartz: While not all quartz products are suitable for outdoor use, specially engineered options can offer stain and scratch resistance with a sleek appearance.

• Stainless Steel: Highly resistant to moisture and rust, stainless steel is hygienic, easy to clean, and widely used in outdoor kitchens for sinks, cabinetry, and appliances.

When selecting materials, always consider both functionality and aesthetics to ensure your outdoor kitchen remains both beautiful and practical over time.