How to Design the Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen in the Capital Region

For many homeowners in the Capital Region of New York, creating an outdoor oasis is a top priority. From a pool for friends and family to enjoy during the beautiful summer months to outdoor fireplaces that make year-round backyard living cozy and warm, your dream property is limited only by your imagination.

No matter what you envision for your backyard, a proper custom outdoor kitchen design can revolutionize your experience and quickly become the centerpiece around which your family, friends, and guests gather. It’s where the grill is firing, the drinks are flowing, and the good times are rolling.

If you are considering an outdoor cooking area to complete your BBQ patio, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your outdoor kitchen planning guide that you can use to plan the perfect place to host get-togethers and special events, no matter how massive or intimate those moments might be.

Your Capital Region Outdoor Kitchen Planning Guide:

The Impact of Outdoor Kitchens
What are the Key Components of an Outdoor Kitchen
Tips and Considerations for Planning and Layout
Material Choice and Structure Recommendations for NY
Expectations for Permits and Timelines
Working with a Professional for an Easy Experience

The Impact of Outdoor Kitchens on Lifestyle and Property Values

Do you have a passion for BBQ? Maybe you love hosting family gatherings where the generations can mingle and make memories together. Perhaps you enjoy your home being the hub of the neighborhood and the spot where the kids can play while the parents catch up.

No matter what motivates you, crafting a beautiful and functional backyard unlocks a world of potential for your property. There are a number of compelling reasons to include an outdoor cooking area in your landscape design in the Capital Region and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Clifton Park, and your desired lifestyle is undoubtedly near the top of the list.

In addition to the good food and better memories that outdoor kitchen structures create, they can increase your property value tremendously. Quality upgrades to your landscape and outdoor living spaces make your home more desirable, more enjoyable, and more valuable.

So, throw a backyard BBQ or host the next neighborhood party while also building a brighter financial future. It all starts with an idyllic custom outdoor kitchen design.

What are the Key Components of an Outdoor Kitchen?

When considering outdoor kitchen ideas, it is crucial to plan around the essential components of the design. While your backyard kitchen design may look and perform entirely differently from your neighbor’s (or the inspiration you saw online), the core systems that you build around will be largely the same.

Most people instantly think of outdoor kitchen appliances when contemplating their dream outdoor kitchen structures, and that is a good place to start. However, there is far more to creating the ultimate outdoor cooking area, so we always recommend familiarizing yourself with the following and working with an expert to ensure your backyard suits your needs.

Built-in outdoor grill setup

This is typically the focal point of an outdoor cooking area. It’s where the meat sizzles and the smells tantalize. Most homeowners in the Capital Region will opt to integrate their grill station directly into the layout of their backyard kitchen design. Don’t forget to consider setting up a smoker too.

Refrigerator

Investing in a refrigerator that is rated for outdoor use grants you easy access to cold drinks and fresh food. It’s perfect for entertaining, convenient for cooking, and able to withstand whatever the weather throws at it.

Kegerator

Did someone say party? Having a built-in kegerator will make your outdoor kitchen the go-to gathering place for friends, family, neighbors, and anyone who wants to catch the big game in style. All you’ll have to do is provide the keg - and the TV.

Faucet, sink, and other essentials

A functional faucet and sink help with easy cleanup, food prep, hand washing, and other essential kitchen activities. While these key components may not be glamorous, they are integral to the proper function of an outdoor kitchen.

Weatherproof cabinets, countertops, and more

Adequate storage in a custom outdoor kitchen design is often overlooked. While you may not keep a fully-stocked kitchen outside, having cooking and serving utensils, dinnerware, and other essentials readily available can streamline your experience and make your backyard BBQ patio truly state-of-the-art.

Lighting, audio, and electric

Whether the celebration stretches into the balmy summer night or the sun sets early on your autumn gathering, having thoughtful lighting and speakers in place ensures that your kitchen is useful year-round, no matter the occasion. Plus, throwing in a few extra outlets never hurts when you want to install a TV or have accessories to plug in.

Seating, tables, and more...

Providing your guests with comfortable places to sit, eat, and converse is a must for a backyard living space. From all-weather barstools to outdoor dining furniture, investing in quality pieces of outdoor furniture can transform your outdoor cooking area into a truly special social space.

Tips and Considerations for Planning and Layout

The most important thing to think about when considering outdoor kitchen ideas is how you will actually use it. What design elements and layouts will best facilitate your lifestyle, your tastes, and the way you intend to use your outdoor cooking area? Not everyone is Gordon Ramsey, so you’ll want to design a kitchen tailored for your style and capabilities - not necessarily one with every bell and whistle.

This is why we encourage you to work with a professional design team in the Capital Region. They can assemble an outdoor kitchen planning guide that is specifically tailored to your unique property and preferences. To kickstart your layout and planning thought process, consider the following tips.

• Linear Layouts. Small spaces can benefit from linear designs. This positions all appliances and essential elements of your outdoor kitchen along a single wall or countertop, thereby maximizing your floorspace for easy use of the cooking area and retaining room for guests and socialization.
• L- and U-Shaped Layouts. Larger outdoor areas can employ an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen design. Both of these options provide far more counter, storage, and seating space, giving you the luxury of having distinct prep spaces, dining spaces, cooking spaces, and so on. They are ideal for hosting more people, as well.
• Proximity to the Indoors. Locating your outdoor cooking area close to your indoor kitchen gives you convenient access to your pantry, full-size fridge, and other essential supplies.

• Overhead Structures. Covering your BBQ patio gives it year-round utility and protects your investment from the elements. From a legitimate roof to alternatives like awnings and pergolas, the type of coverage you choose will depend on your budget, location, and intended use.

Material Choices and Structure Recommendations for NY Climates

As wonderful as the Capital Region is for outdoor recreation, natural beauty, and a host of other compelling reasons, there’s no denying that the elements can be harsh. From sun-filled summers to frigid winters, your outdoor kitchen structures must be able to withstand the climate year after year.

As with other landscaping features, the materials you choose for your custom outdoor kitchen design can make or break its functionality and longevity. That’s why we recommend that you invest in durable materials that can take a beating, even in freezing temperatures.

• Structural elements and flooring. The most robust materials include brick, concrete, and natural stone. However, be sure to use the right mixture and installation approach to ensure that these structures will endure the freeze-thaw cycles that New York experiences.
• Countertops. Another important aspect of your outdoor cooking area that are exposed to the trials of weather would be the working spaces. Choosing a UV-resistant material that is resistant to both heat and cold is a must. Some of our top choices include granite and porcelain.
• Appliances. These should be rated for outdoor use and all weather conditions. Typically, they will be made of stainless steel, offering superb durability and making them easy to clean.
• Cabinetry. Any cabinets you select should be suitable for outdoor use and exposure to the elements, including rain and snow. Stainless steel is an excellent choice, and it can be powder-coated to add a bit of style, pizzazz, and extra protection from the elements to your backyard kitchen design. Other suitable cabinet construction materials include marine-grade polymer and certain woods (like teak), which may require additional maintenance.

Expectations for Permits and Timelines

Depending on the infrastructure currently available on your property, your outdoor kitchen ideas may be easy and straightforward to execute or require significant work, including securing the correct permits. Along with other factors, such as the weather and the unique features of your property, your timeline from the start of construction to completion could range from a few weeks to four months.

A key to streamlining your outdoor cooking area project is the planning phase. You should have a detailed design and strategy in place before beginning the process, including identifying what permits you will need. During this planning phase, you can also find the perfect partner to help you solidify the design and perform the construction.

Keep in mind that permits might include electrical, plumbing, and gas lines, which can complicate your project and extend your timeline. If you do construction during the colder months, be aware that the cold, snow, and ice can delay or derail your progress as well.

In an ideal world where you have a plan in place in advance and work with experienced, licensed professionals, your outdoor cooking space could be completed in under a month, allowing you to enjoy it as soon as possible!

How Working with a Professional Creates a Seamless, Easy Experience

To see the backyard kitchen design of your dreams come to life, partner with a local professional who has the experience and know-how to help you from the brainstorming phase all the way to the completion of the project.

Gallivan has decades of experience helping high-end homes reach their full potential through various projects, and your custom outdoor kitchen design could be next. With an in-house design team, gifted construction crew, and a host of other experts on board, your experience is sure to be as stunning as the finished project.

Whether you’re exploring the possibility of creating an outdoor oasis or are ready to break ground on your new BBQ patio, Gallivan is here to help. Fill out our consultation form to reach out today, and our team of friendly, passionate landscaping experts will gladly discuss your vision and set you on the path to success.