How to build, design an outdoor kitchen that feels just like a resort
A homeowner explains how she designed and built a relaxing space where she can cook and entertain by the sea.
Have you dreamed about an outdoor kitchen that allows you to entertain friends and family on a sunny summer day or under the stars on a crisp fall evening?
You’re not alone. One-third of Americans have the same dream, according to appliance maker SharkNinja. Designing an outdoor kitchen that wows guests, transforms a backyard into a stylish culinary oasis, and adds square footage for entertaining is a recipe for home improvement success.
But what are the right ingredients for that success?
For guidance, USA TODAY spoke with Kathleen Kronick, a stay-at-home parent who recently installed an outdoor kitchen in the backyard of the home she shares with her husband, Drew, in Avon by the Sea, New Jersey.
Q: What’s a homeowner’s first decision before calling a contractor?
Kronick: Decide on the feel of your outdoor kitchen. It should blend in seamlessly with your home. It’s super important for it to be cohesive and tied into the natural surroundings. With us being so close to the ocean, I wanted it to feel like a place near the sea, not in the middle of the woods.
Q: What was your vision?
Kronick: I wanted a resort-type feel, a high-end hotel-like outdoor living space that makes you feel like you’re in a relaxing lounge on a weekend getaway … I chose navy blue countertop accents to mimic the ocean and sky, sandy beige tile to imitate the stretch of beach, snow white patio pavers to bring to mind seashells and Minnesota Ash (grey) tile on the bar to tie into the boardwalk.
Q: But functionality is important, right?
Kronick: A big part of that is having an outdoor kitchen where you can grill, where guests can easily get to beverages, and where all the stuff you need − a fridge, ice-maker, large sink, drawers for utensils and grilling gear, garbage disposal, and storage space − is all right there so you don’t have to run into the house.
Q: Does building an outdoor kitchen that screams ‘look at me’ require forethought?
Kronick: You only have so much space and you want to maximize it. We went through a lot of different plans and versions before moving forward. The goal is to create a functional outdoor kitchen where everything you need is at your fingertips.
Q: Outdoor kitchens aren’t cheap; is setting a budget important?
Kronick: You have to start with a budget and try to stick to it. It’s way too easy for the cost to spiral out of control. Be flexible on materials. Our initial budget was based on our landscape designer’s cost estimates based on his experience using certain materials. But I tweaked a lot. I wanted to put my own stamp on the space. We chose other materials and finishes. Some were less expensive. Some were a lot more, such as our Quartzite countertops, a 100% natural material that’s more weather-resistant than regular Quartz.
Q: What was your budget?:
Kronick: Our initial all-in budget for the outdoor kitchen, including cabinetry, grill and appliances, pergola, outdoor heaters and fans, was roughly six figures … For the overall project, I was only about 6% over budget. Like most renovations, build in room for 10% to 20% in overages.
Q: Does the process go smoother with the help of a designer?
Kronick: No doubt. I worked closely with By Design Landscapes, which has done many similar outdoor projects at the New Jersey Shore. They did the overall design and directed a lot of the traffic for me, advising me as to which types of materials would work best … Make sure you work with a contractor who has a good reputation in your area and has expertise in the type of project you’re doing … Having a good rapport with the contractor is also key … It also helps if your contractor has a good working relationship with the town’s building department and has experience getting permits and zoning variances approved if they’re needed.
Q: Let’s talk design and materials. Tell us about your countertop choice.
Kronick: We wanted something that’s durable against the elements. In picking materials, I asked myself, ‘Can it survive weather conditions? Salt air? Snow? Rain?’ For the countertops, we chose Quartzite, which is UV-resistant.
Q: Any other weather-tough tips?
Kronick: I went with a marine-grade stainless steel fridge and ice maker that are more resistant to corrosion and rust. The ocean is across the street, and we didn’t want to replace the outdoor appliances too frequently. My appliance choices were more about durability than spending on more expensive brand-name appliances.
Q: What extras do you recommend?
Kronick: We added a sky shade that keeps out the sun and rain. We also installed two space heaters above the seating area … We looked at pizza ovens and other different things, but it wasn’t crucial because we don’t use the kitchen that way. It’s more about grilling.
Q: Any last words of advice?
Kronick: Be aware that if you put in a new outdoor kitchen, you might have to make other upgrades around your new living space. You want to avoid the disconnect of having the rest of your yard looking old and dated.
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