Stay Ahead of The Curve With These 7 Outdoor Kitchen Trends For Your Next Alfresco
Whether you’re thinking of renovating or building a new home, adding an outdoor kitchen alfresco area will not only bring value to your home but create an ultimate outdoor entertainment area that can be used all year round.
Recent trends have seen more homes incorporating an outdoor kitchen into the alfresco area, as more families seek to prepare, cook and entertain outdoors instead of being confined to an indoor kitchen space.
I am sure we can collectively agree that food brings us together, and when paired up with an enchanting outdoor setting, you have yourself an unforgettable experience.
Create your own dream kitchen alfresco area with the top 7 outdoor kitchen trends for 2019.
1. Gravel fire pit
If there’s one thing history has taught us is that you can’t deny a good fireplace. It all started with everyone huddled around the campfire telling ghost stories and roasting marshmallows, fast forward to the 20th century and it’s all about having a gravel pit.
From lighting charcoals and cleaning off grill plates, to hosting a marshmallow roasting party, the gravel pit will be the centre of attention this cold season.
2. Access to hot & cold water
Have you ever tried to clean barbeque grills in the kitchen sink? I am sure we have enough trouble trying to clean a large saucepan, let alone a large bbq grill covered in oil and charred meats.
Conveniently placed hot & cold water taps keeps the mess outside where it belongs. This means you’ll need to consider installing the right outdoor plumbing system before you get the alfresco flooring laid down.
3. Keep it near your kitchen window
Placing your alfresco area in close proximity to your indoor kitchen will make your life easier when it comes to preparation. It’ll save you making long walks back and forth through the house to retrieve extra ingredients or cooking utensils.
4. Keep it undercover and enclosed
By keeping your alfresco area undercover and indoors you are able to entertain guests and family all year round. It’ll protect your expensive cabinets, appliances and countertops from the elements and extend their lifespan.
You can opt to install cafe blinds or zip screens around your outdoor area to completely transform it into an indoor outdoor extension of the house that’ll keep the warmth in during winter and stay breezy during summer.
5. Stick to stainless steel
Stainless steel is extremely durable, easy to clean and maintain, and provides a very hygienic cooking space. Opt for clean and functional stainless steel cabinets, barbeques, countertops, fridges, ovens and burners.
These are perfect for withstanding the elements by being resistant to damp, rot and contamination, as well as protecting any new appliances from tarnishing. Aesthetically speaking, metallic features also provide a clean and modern look that will be sure to impress.
6. Decorative concrete flooring
Apart from keeping the ants at bay, decorative concrete for alfresco kitchens such as liquid limestone or honed / exposed aggregate have become crowd favourites with their stunning good looks and minimal maintenance. Liquid limestone and honed aggregate is soft underfoot, extremely easy to clean and highly durable, making it an ideal choice for entertaining guests in case of any spillage. A simple sweep and hose down will have your floors looking brand new.
Seamless Concrete Perth offers a wide range of decorative concrete, including liquid limestone and honed/exposed aggregate, as well as other landscaping services. Transform your alfresco area with a stunning feature floor that will have everyone looking down.
7. Greenery is a must
Recent trends have seen indoor plants skyrocket as businesses look to fill their office spaces and homes taking a page out of Jumanji. Apart from their lush and enriched colour, plants provide us with clean oxygen, help us de-stress, and promote happiness.
By creating an indoor-outdoor alfresco you have the option of shopping for indoor as well as outdoor plants. If you have little space or no soil available, have a look at our advice on how to add some green to a concrete space and green wall guide. If it is time that you are lacking, we have written some advice on creating a low maintenance garden.
