An outdoor kitchen elevates your yard into a luxury entertainment space. No wonder 46% of real estate agents in one recent survey ranked an outdoor kitchen — complete with a grill, fridge, sink, and bar center — as the top feature homebuyers want.
Yet the benefits of an outdoor kitchen go beyond enhancing a gathering by the pool, on the patio, or under the pergola. Here are five of our favorite outdoor kitchen benefits that make this upgrade worthwhile.
1. Outdoor Kitchens Expand Your Living Space
Whether you live somewhere with balmy temperatures year-round or enjoy four distinct seasons, you know how much people cherish spending time outdoors. Outdoor space became even more valuable during the pandemic, providing families with a spot for kids to let off steam and for professionals to have a change of pace from the home office. In fact, in one recent survey, 78% of residential interior designers predicted an increase in more usable outdoor spaces. Outdoor kitchens expand your living space, giving you a place to dine alfresco or unwind under the stars anytime you like.
2. Outdoor Kitchens Make Entertaining Easier
An outdoor kitchen allows more space for guests enticed by what’s on the menu to lend a hand. Designs from Kokomo Grills, such as an L-shaped BBQ island with a side burner and refrigerator, provide room for someone to mix drinks or prep hors d’oeuvres while someone else tends to the grill. Speaking of prep, models that include refrigerators save you from rushing back and forth to fetch more ice and other essentials.
3. Outdoor Kitchens Make Cleanup Convenient
Outdoor kitchens and grills such as Arteflame and RCS Grills keep strong odors out of the rest of the house, so only memories of good times and conversation linger, not the smell of a lobster boil. Any splashes and spills won’t interrupt the chef’s flow or cause a slipping hazard, and you can rinse away any mess underfoot with a garden hose.
4. Outdoor Kitchens Save Money
While the price of installation varies depending on features, appliances, and finishes, experts say that people who love their outdoor kitchens are less likely to dine out. A well-equipped outdoor kitchen incorporates that relaxing outdoor ambiance into the prep work, cooking, and cleanup, making meals less of a chore. Outdoor kitchens also keep your air conditioning from working harder while cooking during hot weather. Cook up a treat outdoors under a pergola or overhead fans — or fire up the grill as the sun goes down for an intimate get-together.
5. Outdoor Kitchens Boost Your Home’s Value
Of all the benefits of outdoor kitchens, perhaps the best is knowing they’ll entice buyers once you’re ready to sell your house. One report from the National Association of Realtors notes that outdoor kitchens typically have a 71% return on investment, regardless of whether you carve out a casual space for outdoor dining with a built-in grill; incorporate a broader design with counter space, a wine fridge, and a bar; or crank up the wow factor with a pizza oven, warming drawers, sound system, flatscreen TV, and outdoor fireplace or fire pit.
If you have questions about how to craft your own outdoor kitchen oasis or want to know more about specific brands and features, we’re here to help. Please call us from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST Monday through Saturday at 888-973-8464, or email us at info@upperlivin.com.
