Close your eyes and imagine with me for a moment. You've had a long week of work at the office. You haven't had much time to enjoy the beautiful weather that Los Alamitos, California has to offer. Nothing sounds better than a relaxing evening outside watching the sun go down. What if you had your very own backyard oasis? A place where you could not only enjoy sitting on the patio, but cook, enjoy a nice beverage, and even comfortably entertain family and friends. An outdoor kitchen is just what you need to make the most of your backyard and be the go-to house for entertaining.
Benefits Of An Outdoor Kitchen for Your Los Alamitos, CA Home
You've been thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen and living area for quite some time, but you want to make sure the investment is worth it. Have no fear! Adding an outdoor kitchen provides numerous benefits to both your wallet and your lifestyle. First of all, the addition of an outdoor kitchen will add value to your home, should you decide to list it on the market in the future. Secondly, if you enjoy entertaining, an outdoor kitchen is a must. Your guests can enjoy the warm sunshine and fresh air. Outdoor kitchens tend to offer more space for your guests to socialize and relax versus indoor kitchens which can feel a bit cramped.
Your wallet will thank you for building an outdoor kitchen. During the summer, cooking in your indoor kitchen emits heat which makes your cooling system work harder, costing you more to keep your home cool. Using your outdoor kitchen keeps the heat on the outside of your home, and therefore reducing your cooling costs. Cooking meals at home are generally cheaper than going out to dinner. An outdoor kitchen and living space will inspire you to cook more dinners at home.
Who doesn't want a little more living space? An outdoor kitchen will make your home feel larger because it is an extension of your living space without the confinement of walls.
Essential Outdoor Kitchen Accessories
An outdoor kitchen is all about functionality and convenience. Let's take a look at the accessories you need to incorporate into your ultimate dream outdoor kitchen. The idea is that your outdoor kitchen has everything you need to cook a delicious meal without having to run back and forth to your indoor kitchen. Design your outdoor kitchen to have plenty of cabinetry and counter space. You will need enough room to comfortably prep your food and serve your family and guests. Plenty of storage allows you to keep a set of utensils and cookware at your fingertips.
One of the most appealing features of an outdoor kitchen is the grill. You can choose a built-in grill or free-standing. Whichever you choose, make sure it doesn't pose a fire hazard to your home. A refrigerator for keeping food cold until ready to serve and cold beverages within reach is a must for your outdoor kitchen.
The ability to conveniently clean your outdoor kitchen and wash utensils and cookware is dependent on incorporating a sink into your outdoor kitchen design. Running water in your outdoor kitchen will elevate your outdoor cooking experience!
A full-service outdoor kitchen means you spend more time enjoying your outdoor living space and less time running back and forth from your outdoor kitchen to your indoor kitchen.
Enjoy Your Outdoor Kitchen and Living Space Well Into the Night!
When you think of an outdoor kitchen, you think of plenty of daylight, so outdoor lighting is often an oversight. You need to take two types of lighting into consideration when planning your outdoor kitchen and living space. The first type is task lighting. This means making sure you have adequate lighting over areas in which you will be preparing and cooking your food. Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to see what you are doing in the kitchen. The second type of lighting is ambiance lighting. This type of lighting allows you to enjoy your outdoor kitchen past daylight hours by emitting just enough light to comfortably be able to see your surroundings and talk with the people around you. You will feel like you're sitting in your living room while in your own backyard.
Do Not Forget About Mother Nature
Unlike your indoor kitchen, your outdoor kitchen will be exposed at least to some degree to the outdoor elements. It is an inherently unavoidable fact. Choosing components that are weather resistant is important. When it comes to the flooring, choose materials that are offer anti-slip properties as well as resistance to the outdoor elements such as wind, rain, and UV rays. Wood is a common flooring choice because it is elegant, slip resistant and you can add a protective, weather-resistant coating to the surface. Textured concrete is another choice that offers durability for years to come and is easy to clean if food, drink, or grease accidentally comes in contact with the surface.
Ceramic or stainless steel is the way to go when it comes to choosing appliances and hardware for your cabinetry. These two materials are both rust and corrosion resistant and offer a higher degree of durability making them the optimal choices for outdoor kitchens. When it comes to your outdoor living space furniture comfort should be the primary comfort. You also need to make sure the furniture is weather resistant. Choose fabrics that are waterproof and specifically designed for the outdoors. If need be, the frame of the furniture pieces can be painted with exterior paint.
Spend More Time Relaxing and Less Time Cleaning
The last thing you want to do is spend the majority of your time cleaning your outdoor kitchen after use. Choose countertops that are nonporous and stain resistant. Choosing surfaces which are smooth and offer very few crevices for bacteria to hide in will make it not only easier to clean, but more hygienic. Before purchasing appliances, make sure taking them apart to clean is convenient.
Inevitably, the flooring will at one point or another come in contact with grease, food, and drinks. Flooring which is easy to wash off is imperative. The easier it is to clean your outdoor kitchen, the more likely you are to use it and enjoy it.
Extend The Entertaining Season in Los Alamitos, CA
Make the most of your outdoor living space by incorporating comfort features which will allow you and your guests to enjoy your oasis in less than ideal weather conditions. The use of awnings, canopies, and roofs will make your outdoor kitchen and living area much more versatile. It will shade you and your guests during the heat of the day, allow for entertaining on rainy days, and even protect your appliances and furniture from the elements. The installation of outdoor heaters and fans means you and your guests can comfortably enjoy your outdoor living area during the hotter parts of the year as well as the cooler parts.
Beyond Your Outdoor Kitchen
Take your outdoor kitchen a step further and create a truly amazing outdoor resort-like oasis. You have your outdoor kitchen and living space. How about elevating entertainment options. The installation of a heated sparkling pool and spa will give you a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of day to day life and offer your guests the ultimate entertaining experience.
“My wife Pat and I finally selected The Cutting Edge probably because of the owner, Matt. He kept in touch with us while we decided on the right design for our front yard. Once the job started Matt stopped by to direct his crew numerous times. The Cutting Edge crew were fantastic and worked their tails off. Bottom line, go with Matt and The Cutting Edge.”
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