How to turn your patio into a functioning outdoor kitchen

Want to turn your patio into a lovely outdoor kitchen area where you can also entertain? Read on for tips.

Having an outdoor space is a huge asset for any home, but many people don't take advantage of its full potential. There are many things you can do with an outdoor space to turn it into an extension of your home, or even into a second kitchen. Here are some tips for turning your patio into a lovely outdoor kitchen area where you can also entertain.

You can do this in a variety of ways, from adding a formal dining table and chairs to having café seating or an all-weather couch with a coffee table. That way, guests will have a place to sit and mingle and also enjoy whatever you're cooking up in the kitchen.

A gas grill is a great addition to your patio that will enable you to cook up a variety of dazzling dishes. Invest in a grilling station that can be kept outside year-round and has a number of different settings to allow you to cook as many wonderful recipes as you'd like. It's a good idea to keep a gas grill underneath an awning or some other type of overhead protection in order to shield it from the weather. Most will come with a heavy cover that you can keep over your gas grill during the winter as well.

Installing a deep basin sink in your kitchen will ensure that you don't have to run back and forth inside in order to wash your hands or clean cooking utensils. You can keep it small but functional. It's best to use high-grade stainless steel for outdoor sinks to prevent rusting and weather damage.

You should keep the cook in mind when designing your outdoor kitchen, whether that will be you or someone else. Plan on having enough counter space to give yourself room to chop up ingredients, place various bowls and dishes, and move around comfortably while cooking. It's also nice to open up the kitchen in a triangle design so that the cook can feel like a part of the party instead of being blocked off in a separate area.

An outdoor kitchen will bring your patio entertaining to a whole new level this summer, allowing you to spend even more time outside.