When the weather is warm and sunny, there aren’t many better ways to spend your time than outside, enjoying a nice meal and having fun with your friends or family. However, in order to do that, you need to have a suitable area for it. So, to help you enjoy your summer days to the fullest, here are a few ideas that should help you design a perfect outdoor kitchen and dining area.

Choose practical outdoor flooring

Starting from the bottom, your outdoor dining area would need a flooring that can support your furniture and withstand the elements. So, choose a type of flooring that is hard, durable, and smooth (but not slippery). Ideally, it should mimic the flooring you have inside, at least in terms of colour or style. So, for instance, if you prefer wooden flooring options inside, you can opt for decking outside. Concrete is a very common choice too, but it may not suit every style. On the other hand, if you have tiles in your indoor kitchen, you can opt for tiles in your outdoor kitchen too.

Add enough storage

Every kitchen needs enough storage, and your outdoor one would not be an exception. After all, you don’t really want to go inside every minute just to grab another spoon or glass. You should have enough storage outside to keep everything you need at hand. With that in mind, there are many ways to create storage space, even if your outdoor kitchen is a bit smaller. For example, you can opt for interesting storage crates and baskets. Or, if you’re into DIY projects, you can also make your own storage as it suits the area.

Choose the right appliances

When it comes to appliances, what you’ll add to your kitchen depends on what kind of cooking you plan on doing. For example, if you want to focus on barbecuing, a quality grill and a sink might be all you need. On the other hand, if you want to do that and more, you may also need a prep station, a small fridge, an oven for your pizza, etc. In short, while some appliances are a must, like a sink and a grill, all the extras depend on how much you intend to cook and what kind of meals you want to prepare outside.

Blend it with the indoors

A perfect outdoor kitchen is the one that matches your overall home style, which means that the transition from the indoors to the outdoors should be as smooth as possible. You can achieve this with, as mentioned, flooring options. However, the details play a role as well. For example, since the doors represent that transition, you want to choose stylish timber sliding doors that are both visually appealing and functional, so they would easily match any design style you opt for.

Protect it

You have to protect your outdoor kitchen in order for it to last, so a good cover is a must. Now, the type of covering that you choose depends on the kind of weather you usually get and on how often you actually intend on using your outdoor kitchen. For instance, if you want to be able to prepare food outside even when it’s raining – or if you simply want to prevent the rain from ruining your outdoor parties – a pergola with vines might not be enough. You should make sure your roofing is both stylish and functional, so keep in mind your local environment.

Make it comfortable

Just because you’re outdoors, it doesn’t mean you should be forced to sit on uncomfortable wooden furniture. The key to having a perfect outdoor living area is making it as comfortable as any other room inside your home. So, don’t be afraid to add a rug under your dining table or put some cushions on the chairs. The furniture itself should be comfortable as well, so don’t hesitate to opt for some more “indoorsy” pieces. There are ways to protect them, and rest assured that they would make your dining experience much more pleasurable.

Being able to spend the sunny months outside, enjoying a nice barbecue and relaxing after an exhausting day at work is something many people dream about. So, if you do have a nice backyard or a large patio, don’t hesitate to turn it into a functional and modern outdoor kitchen that can fulfil all your needs. With some effort and creativity, you and your family are bound to enjoy spending time outside more than ever before.