Creating an Outdoor Living Space

If you’ve ever felt like you just don’t have enough room in your home for entertaining, or wish you could enjoy your outdoor space for more extended seasons, read on.

With the plethora of lighting, cooking, heating, seating, and even food & beverage cooling options, there is absolutely every reason to consider your outdoor premises as additional living space. The level of enhancement you choose to take with your outdoor space will depend on the amount of square footage you have, your budget, your layout, and your preference. The basic elements, however, will be the same, and as elaborate as you wish.

Lighting

When deciding on your lighting plan, first consider what you are trying to achieve. Landscaping, which is often the most lovely feature of an outdoor space, is hidden once the sun goes down. If your goal is to highlight your landscaping, there are a few landscape lighting options to try, such as well lights and hardscape lights.

To highlight the perimeter of your area or any pathways, consider path lighting or bollard lights, many of which can be solar-powered.

Sconces are an excellent option for lighting doorways and are easily wired when they are attached to an existing electrical outlet.

If you have beams overhead, or a covered area, consider an outdoor chandelier or pendant for a unique look. Outdoor ceiling fans are extremely useful on warm days and nights to keep air flowing.

Outdoor string lighting is not just for the holidays anymore. It’s extremely versatile and festive-looking, and can be easily installed. It provides a surprising amount of light, and, because it’s designed for outdoor use, it’s heavy-duty.

Outdoor Furniture

Once you’ve set the tone with a lovely lighting concept, you’ll want to be sure you and your guests will have plenty of seating, lounging, and dining options to make relaxation possible.

Consider how many people you generally entertain and your typical activities. Do you need a large dining table or would a smaller set do? Though they may not be the ideal place to hold more elaborate meals, conversation sets can provide a place for casual dining as well as relaxing.

Loungers and outdoor daybeds will feel like the ultimate in luxury when you’re unwinding with a cool drink and a fabulous breeze.

Outdoor rugs are low-maintenance, versatile, and can help to make your outdoor living space feel more "pulled together."

Outdoor Bar

When it's time for a cool drink, you’ll need a place to keep those mini-umbrellas, plenty of ice, cocktail ingredients, wines, beers, and snacks close at hand. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, a beer buff, or a vodka virtuoso, you’ll want to be prepared for anything. In any of the categories, look for those with outdoor-ratings to be sure they’re approved for outdoor use.

Beverage Coolers provide space for drinks of all types; from juice boxes to water bottles, to sodas, wine, and beer. With shelving built to fit bottles and cans, they are well-suited to keep an entire range of guests happily hydrated.

Outdoor kegerators are specifically for beer and come in one-, two-, or three-tap configurations. They are extremely convenient, especially if you are loyal to just a few beers, and keep your brew frosty at all times.

For beverages that require ice, the convenience of an ice maker is the way to go. Depending on the model, some are capable of producing ice within twenty minutes, and the amount of ice can be customized.

Mini-fridges, as the name implies, are miniature refrigerators. They can store anything a larger fridge can store, in much smaller portions. Here would be the perfect place to store accoutrements for drinks such as lemons, limes and olives, as well as any other meal prep done beforehand.

BBQ Grills and Smokers

If you are prepared to go all-in and create an outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to begin your design by deciding what kind of cooking station you need. Meal prep, usually done in the kitchen and away from guests and activities, can now be brought outside with these many outdoor cooking and grilling options.

Built-in BBQ Grills are amazingly convenient and give your food that authentic grilled taste. If you prefer to complete the entire meal outside, you’ll want to explore all of the outdoor kitchen components. As well, don’t forget to accessorize with custom covers, griddles, rotisseries kits, smoker boxes, wood chips, and more.

Side Burners

Side burners make it easy to prepare more than just grilled foods.

Pizza Ovens

There's no pizza better than one baked over an open flame in an outdoor pizza oven. These incorporate easily into any outdoor kitchen and will be the highlight of every backyard party.

If you’re considering something a bit more casual, there is certainly no shortage of options. Customize your outdoor space with a cooking apparatus that is more portable and can be moved according to your convenience.

Freestanding BBQ Grills

Whether you have an outdoor kitchen setup or want something smaller in the side yard, prepare your food anywhere the party goes with a freestanding BBQ grill.

Gas BBQ Grills

Gas BBQ grills offer all the comforts of the kitchen, alongside the luxury of entertaining company while you cook.

Charcoal BBQ Grills

For that authentic charcoal flavor every time you grill, look to make the more versatile charcoal BBQ grill part of your outdoor kitchen design.

Portable Charcoal BBQ Grills

Take the party (and flavor) with you when you've got a portable charcoal BBQ grill with the smaller footprint and convenient carrying features.

Smokers

Smokers provide an unmistakable texture and flavor to many of your favorite foods.

Bar/Prep Faucets and Sinks

To complete your custom outdoor kitchen, you’ll need a prep sink to wash and prepare your food. Shop for a sink and faucet that is specifically rated for outdoor use.

There are other options for built-in as well as free-standing sink and refreshment centers that can be used in your outdoor kitchen.

Fire Pits and Patio Heaters

When the sun goes down, you’ll want to stay warm, add lighting, and create ambience with a fire pit or patio heater.

Fire Pits are available in natural gas, wood-burning, and liquid propane, and come in so many gorgeous styles.

While some patio heaters look more functional than aesthetically pleasing, others come in a lovely array of designs that will enhance any outdoor living decor.

Gazebos & Pergolas

To help protect your family from bugs, pests, rain, and the sun, consider a gazebo or pergola. Not only do these enclosures offer a bit of protection, they can also provide some privacy, in addition to a lovely retreat from the weather and other pests.