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Creating an Outdoor Living Space

From lighting to seats, the drinks to the eats, this buying guide will help you create a perfect outdoor living space.

Amanda Scott
Amanda Scott
Coyote freestanding grill. Man and woman drinking and cooking, grass.

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

Kichler in-ground LED well light. Hinkley Nuvi hardscape lights.
Consider safety as well as aesthetics when installing path 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.

Hinkley Lighting,Integrated LED bollard path light, Atlantis Collection.

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

Maxim Townhouse LED wall sconce in rose gold finish. Hinkley Atwell.

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

Hinkley Lighting Carson Cage Outdoor Chandelier, Craftmade ceiling fan.

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.

Bulbrite string lights, tree, bench with decorative pillows, glowing light.
Not just for parties anymore, string lights add a whimsical flair to your landscape.

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

Delacora Monterey conversational sectional in gray.

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.

Safavieh Bruna Three Piece Wood Outdoor Bistro Set and Dario 3 piece set.
Whether you're having a drink or sharing a meal, you'll want a place to wine or dine.

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.

Zuo Modern Ingonish Outdoor Beach Sofa in gray.

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

Syria Marina outdoor rug, Nourison Aloha rug, Tayse Garden City Florence.

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

Outdoor Bar

Coyote Refreshment Center with Sink, Drop-in Cooler, Condiment Tray
Have a place to keep all of your garnishes cool and on-hand.

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.

Lynx Grills Built-In 24 Bottle Capacity Left Handed Outdoor Wine Cooler
Keep thirst at bay and guests content with cold drinks.

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.

Edgestar kegerator stainless steel, Summit built in twin tapkegerator
Keep your favorite beer (or two) on tap with a Kegerator.

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.

Avallon Energy Efficient, Outdoor Approved Beverage Center
Never worry about forgetting to pick up ice again with an outdoor ice maker.

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.

EdgeStar Outdoor Built-In Ice Maker
Keep snacks, food, and beverages cold and close with a mini outdoor refrigerator.

BBQ Grills and Smokers

Coyote 36 Inch Wide Liquid Propane Built-In Grill
The cook is no longer stuck in the kitchen with an outdoor cooking area.

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.

Coyote Liquid Propane Power Burner, stainless steel.

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.

Lynx Grills Freestanding Natural Gas Pizza Oven with LED Lit Controls

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.

Coyote Wide Freestanding, family grilling, brick patio.
The portable freestanding BBQ grill is at home anywhere on the back patio.

Gas BBQ Grills

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

Lynx Grills L54TR-NG Professional Natural Gas Built-In Grill, palm trees.
Open flames, plenty of counter space for prep work, and even room for storage.

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.

Coyote Freestanding Charcoal Grill, shish kabobs, charcoal.

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.

Char-Broil 24 Inch Wide Gas Portable Grill. Coyote Portable Electric Grill

Smokers

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

Coyote Freestanding Charcoal Smoker, Asado Series. Black ceramic.

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.

Delta Cassidy outdoor faucet in venetian bronze, Native Trails basin.

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

Coyote Refreshment Center with Sink, Drop-in Cooler stainless steel.

Fire Pits and Patio Heaters

Real Flame Natural Gas Fire Pit in Glacier Gray finish, concrete/steel.

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

Real Flame round wood burning fire pit, rectangular concrete gas fire pit.

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

Fire Sense square flame patio heater, AZ patio heater natural gas.

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

Paragon Aluminum Pergola with Chilean Wood Grain Finish and Canopy.

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.

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