What Layout is Best for Your Outdoor Kitchen in Mechanicsburg PA?

Outdoor cooking enthusiasts all know that food tastes better outside. If your culinary preferences go beyond grilling, you may want to consider a larger outdoor kitchen where you can whip up delicious meals to share with family and friends. The right design, and the right amenities, depend on how the kitchen will be used. If you’re wondering, what layout is best for your outdoor kitchen in Mechanicsburg, PA, here are our top tips for the most user-friendly designs.

Related: 10 Ways to Spruce Up Your Pergola in Harrisburg, PA

Location 

Unless your outdoor kitchen will be a self-contained unit with all the amenities and storage as an indoor kitchen, it should be placed close to the home for convenience. You can be more creative with the placement of a fully tricked-out outdoor kitchen.

Location also dictates how often you will be using your outdoor kitchen. If the trip to the kitchen is easy (and nothing stands in the way) then you’ll be more inclined to use it. 

Finally, consider views and privacy. If you want to make the best of a great view, orient the kitchen so that both the cook and the guests can enjoy it. If your backyard lacks a stunning view, orient the open part of the kitchen toward the house to make access easier. For privacy, consider a living wall, a trellis covered with flowering vines, or even a chic water wall (a water feature where water cascades down a vertical opaque glass surface).

Layout

The ideal outdoor kitchen is spacious enough for the number of regular cooks; has easy traffic flow; ample work surfaces; and proximity to the dining area (when it’s time to serve up some food, you don’t want to navigate past lounge furniture). Here are three common layouts:

Island layout: if your main outdoor cooking style involves grilling, this is all you need. Center the grill on the island and make sure there are at least a few feet on either side for comfortable food prep. A larger island could also accommodate a smoker, storage, and an under-counter fridge.

L-shaped layout: this versatile shape can add a dining bar to a simple grill station; or, it could be a way to add other amenities such as a wood-fired pizza oven or bar sink. In a tight patio space, this layout can house all of the necessary amenities. Just position the apex of the L in the corner of the patio to optimize space and allow for easy access. 

U-shaped: this layout takes up substantial amounts of space to afford multiple cooks ample space. Cooking appliances and work areas can be spread over two sides of the U, and the third can be reserved for bar seating. This layout can accommodate virtually every appliance including a cooktop and oven, wood-fired pizza oven, a wine cooler, smoker, grill, under-counter fridge, sink, dishwasher, and plenty of storage.

Seating and Dining

Bar seating is a popular option for homeowners who prefer eating at the bar vs. a dining table, or for smaller patios where a dining table would take up too much space. It’s not as intimate a dining experience, but great for busy families. If you have the space, a separate dining area along with a bar is the ideal solution: drinks and appetizers with the cook, and then face-to-face dining once the meal is served.

For a chic and sophisticated dining option, consider a fire table which marries the ambience of fire with the convenience of a dining-height or bar-height table.  

 Related: Plan a Pavilion Perfect for Summer Outdoor Living in Mechanicsburg and Hershey PA