Outdoor Kitchen Design
Published by Beck/Allen Cabinetry
Posted on October 2, 2019
Now more than ever, homeowners are seeking to bring a high-end look to the outdoor kitchen. Over the years, innovations in designer outdoor furniture and fabric led the way in transforming backyard spaces. New materials evolved, and as a result, brands are able to produce styles that rival indoor furnishings in their sophistication and comfort, all the while being engineered to withstand the elements.
Following in the footsteps of designer outdoor furnishings, the outdoor kitchen has steadily grown in popularity. They’ve become more common and more customizable than ever.
Louver | Weathered Driftwood
NatureKast, a Canadian-based company founded by an experienced cabinetmaker, has found a way to capture the beauty of real wood in their innovative line of cabinets made using high-density resin. Theirs is the first-ever range of 100% weatherproof cabinets capable of mimicking luxurious wood finishes found indoors without the warping so often seen in teak, the commonly used real-wood, outdoor alternatives.
Contempo | Arctic Slate
Customizing Your Outdoor Kitchen
Appliances
As we do in the early stages of any kitchen design, indoor or outdoor, we often suggest starting with your appliances. Gone are the days of considering a lone grill. Today, homeowners are planning for plumbing and drainage to allow for prep sinks with running water and the use of additional appliances. There are few limitations when it comes to appliances in an outdoor space. We tapped our friends at AUTCOhome for suggestions of what to keep in mind beyond the grill:
- Refrigerators
- Side burners
- Ice makers
- Kegerators
- Ventilation
- Dishwashers
Shaker | Weathered Graphite
Cabinets
NatureKast‘s selection of door styles, stain, paints and finishes range from clean-lined and contemporary to relaxed and rustic. Their doors are cast from Cypress or Teak and offer the characteristics of wood without the limitations.
Beyond standard base cabinets, a sample of what NatureKast has to offer:
- Suspended and insert cabinets
- Benches
- Hoods
- Wall/tall cabinets
- Specialty cabinets built to house ceramic grills, cooktops, sinks and other appliances
- Yeti cooler pull-out base cabinet
- NEW, award-winning game cabinets
Countertops
On the topic of countertops, we turned to Global Granite & Marble, supplier of most of our new showroom’s natural and quartz surfaces. While there are some natural stones that are appropriate for outdoor use, they explained why Neolith, a Sintered Stone, is an ideal choice for your outdoor designs.
- 100% natural ingredients
- Resistant to UV rays and extreme temperatures
- Resistant to ice and freezing
- Resistant to scratching
- Waterproof, resistant to water absorption
- Hygenic, suitable for contact with food
- Wide range of colors and finishes
Home Automation
Walbrandt Technologies, a company known for its outdoor entertainment expertise, rarely encounters an outdoor kitchen/living room project without a television on its list of must-haves. They recommend designs engineered for year-round outdoor use to withstand the elements, like the Séura Storm Ultra Bright Outdoor TV.
- Outdoor televisions are completely waterproof and contain a heater for winter months and a fan for cooler months.
- Your investment level will depend on the application and brightness, brighter displays cost more but ensure visibility even in the sunniest of circumstances.
The team at Walbrandt Technologies can assist the implementation and control of a full spectrum of outdoor components, from extending your wifi to the patio and beyond, to lighting control and weather resistant speakers.
Take Note: NatureKast manufactures the largest collection of outdoor TV cabinets in the industry (see below).
Contempo | Arctic Slate
Many thanks to our friends at AUTCOhome, Walbrandt Technologies and Global Granite & Marble for offering their insight on the topic of outdoor living.
To learn more about NatureKast and to discuss your ideas for an upcoming outdoor kitchen project, send us an e-mail, stop by one of our two area showrooms (Chesterfield or Maryland Heights) or call 314.677.6713 for an appointment with a member of the Beck/Allen design team.