There are not many summer pleasures that are as much fun as a cookout. The smell of grilling food is mouth-watering, everything tastes great and it’s hard not to have a good time. That is, unless you’re the cook running back and forth between the grill and the kitchen for the chicken and steak, forks and knives, beer and wine, and ketchup and mustard. And when everybody’s done, all the leftovers must be lugged back inside. An outdoor kitchen for your Parkville, Missouri home can help you slow down and spend more time with family and friends by putting all the ingredients for outdoor dining close at hand. It can be as simple as a storage cabinet for cooking gear or as ambitious as a full kitchen with grill, refrigerator, sink and eating area. Either way, your yard will gain an outside “room” that’s a natural gathering spot for everyone. You’ll notice that you might even start spending more time outside in the summer than you do inside!
Although it’s tempting to compare outdoor kitchens to the one indoors, there are some key differences. For example, while a grill and counter space for preparing food are essential, a refrigerator and sink aren’t. But including them can boost the value of your home by helping your outdoor kitchen qualify as a second kitchen. And though indoor-kitchen design includes a lot of rules and caveats, outdoor-kitchen designs are much more casual. How elaborate should yours be? That depends on what you and your family need. For example, if you barbecue only once a week or so, a grill and a counter-high storage cabinet covered with tile or stucco should do it. The cabinet will protect supplies from the weather and the countertop will provide work space when you get down to cooking. Like to eat outside as much as possible? Then you’ll want storage space and a counter or table for dining, along with a sink and refrigerator.
The best part about designing an outdoor kitchen is that you get to customize it to fit your exact needs and aesthetics. Natural stone is always a popular choice for the exterior stone, but there are also a ton of manufactured stone options that are a little more budget friendly. And if you really want your outdoor kitchen to impress the neighbors, pick out a granite or natural stone counter top with a great polished surface. Whatever your needs are, Builder’s Stone & masonry has experts on outdoor kitchens that can make the decision making process go smooth and easy. Call us at (913) 764-4446 to get stated!