Getting down to the business of creating the perfect outdoor kitchen

This open porch and hardscape combination in Columbia features an outdoor kitchen for added luxury.

The popularity of the outdoor kitchen continues to gain momentum all across the country. Here in the Columbia, SC, area, more and more homeowners are adding the outdoor kitchen to the top of their “must-have” list for their own backyards. One of the key reasons for the growing popularity of the outdoor kitchen is because, just like the indoor kitchen remains the heart of the home, the outdoor kitchen can be the heart of the outdoor living space. Food preparation and dining bring loved ones closer together, stimulate conversation, and urge you to linger longer in any setting.

This open porch and patio combination includes an integrated outdoor kitchen. This combination mixes the rustic tones of wood and stone and soothes the senses through texture and tone.

Outdoor cooking has come a long way in just a few short years. For many homeowners, it has become an art. What was once just a grill on the deck or patio is now a fully-functional outdoor food preparation and cooking space with grills, sinks, stovetops, refrigerators, and all the culinary bells and whistles that would make Julia Child blush. Outdoor kitchens can be custom designed to fit your cooking needs, your outdoor living space, and your budget.

Rustic-inspired outdoor kitchen with stone and granite combination.

There are so many options with outdoor kitchens these days. These options include not only amenities but also design materials and other key choices. Here is some of what we’re seeing and using:

We are using a mixed media of high-quality, attractive materials within our outdoor kitchens. In terms of counter surfaces, tile is still a favorite, with granite and natural stone not far behind. In many cases, our customers like to mix things up a bit in their outdoor kitchens by using a mix of granite and stone and finishing it off with a countertop of tile or natural stone.

Deck with outdoor kitchen and pergola.

In addition to a wealth of various materials, outdoor kitchens are being designed to include the amenities that many homeowners are looking for. The gourmet chef in you will be overcome with inspiration if you add a grill sink, cooktop, and the ever-popular Big Green Egg smoker. Other outdoor kitchen options include built-in trash cans and compactors, refrigerators, ice machines, dishwashers and even warming drawers to ensure those hot dog buns stay warm and toasty. Of course, ceiling fans, lighting, sound systems, and televisions are becoming commonplace in the outdoor kitchen.

This multi-functional outdoor kitchen features “eat-in” style bar seating.

In terms of location, an outdoor kitchen can be attached to your home or detached and placed in another prime outdoor living spot on your property. A poolside cabana or detached patio makes the perfect place for an outdoor kitchen. Many of our outdoor kitchen designs are covered by a roof or pergola. Our pergolas can be constructed in a way that offers a great deal of shade. This is possible by spacing the purlins that span the top of the pergola closer together to block out sunlight. We can design a serving and bar area outdoors similar to that of an interior “eat-in” kitchen to cut down on the amount of seating needed in your space. This leaves more room for other furnishings and promotes a better traffic flow.

The Archadeck of Central SC team – Mike Reu, Marshall Reu and Tucker Reu

If you are ready to learn more about how an outdoor kitchen would enhance your outdoor living space, contact Archadeck of Central SC today. We are your one-stop-shop for all your outdoor living design needs! Call (803) 784-1566 or email us at centralsc@archadeck.net.