With warmer weather upon us and spring only a few short weeks away, it’s natural to be turning sights to outdoor projects and the fun that can be enjoyed in our own backyards.  Many homeowners in the Northeast are making outdoor kitchens part of their backyard design and if you are among the throngs of people who enjoy outdoor cooking and dining, we’ve got a few tips for you to keep in mind as you start planning the design of your new backyard amenity.

Tips for Outdoor Kitchen Design:

1. Gather ideas. Unless you are one of the unique people that can completely visualize exactly what you want in your outdoor space, the best place to start is by looking around at photos of other kitchen designs so you can start to hone in on what you like or don’t like.  Of course, looking at photos of gorgeous designs can turn into a wish-list that is way beyond your means, but by looking around at what others have done, you can start to get a better idea of what is really important to you and what you can live without as you start to plan your own design.
2. Don’t lose sight of budget. As mentioned, it’s easy to get enticed by some of the unbelievable outdoor kitchen designs that you may find online, in magazines or even in your own neighborhood.  Before you get your heart set on features and materials that may be far beyond what you can actually afford, it’s important to be realistic about what your budget will be when building your new amenity.  Keeping money constraints in mind starting from the beginning of the planning stage may not be fun or exciting but it will keep you from being disappointed later when you can’t afford things you already fell in love with, or worse yet, when you overextend yourself and then find yourself with excess bills to pay.
3. Prioritize your wants. Unless money or space is no issue at all, there are likely to be things that you may be hoping for that may not fit into your ultimate plan.  The key is to prioritize what is most important to you and what you can realistically do without while still being happy with the finished product.  For example, if you know that a built-in professional-style grill is the only thing that will make your outdoor kitchen feel complete, then you better be prepared to handle the hefty price tag that goes along with your upscale taste.  If certain materials are a must-have, then factor that into your design and budget plans.

With advanced planning and an open mind, you can have the outdoor kitchen of your dreams this spring without breaking the bank or running out of open space in your backyard.

For more information about outdoor kitchen design, contact Millenium Stoneworks in NJ at 732-519-1112.