Outdoor kitchens create a unique and enjoyable space to spend time with family and friends during the summer. Not only can you simply lounge comfortably in this space, but you can perform all normal kitchen duties when it comes to food preparation and cooking.

An outdoor kitchen can increase the overall value of your home, and can be treated as a home extension as well. You can have plenty of freedom when it comes to the location and direction it faces, as well as how it will be designed and built.

Will My Deck Support It?

The last thing you want to do is start designing or building your outdoor kitchen on your deck, only to realize the deck does not meet the support requirements needed to hold everything safely. If your deck was professionally built, you should have been given an information pamphlet with the weight bearing information on it.

A deck should be built to not only support its own weight securely and reliably, but also the weight of outdoor furniture, multiple people, and seasonal ice or snow.

How Much Room Will I Need?

There are countless design options you can consider for your outdoor kitchen. Some can be small and cozy, while others will be spacious and luxurious. Depending on your initial budget, the room required for your outdoor kitchen will vary.

As a general rule of thumb, a standard grill will not need more than 3 to 5 square feet of space. If you plan on adding a dining table, multiple dining chairs, and lounge chairs, you can plan on needing anywhere from 150 to 200 square feet of space.

Other factors can include the style of appliances you want to go for. Simple food preparation countertops will require much less space than a full service bar and catering area. Additionally, a portable grill will need much less space than a permanent pizza oven or custom grill construction.

Is An Outdoor Kitchen Worth It?

Having an outdoor kitchen on your deck can not only provide a very stylish and unique place for you to gather with family and friends, but it can also increase the overall value of your home. Some realtors have estimated a well constructed and designed outdoor kitchen can offer a 200% return on the original investment when the home is sold.

Even a simple outdoor kitchen can offer a return on the investment by up to 130%. This return on investment will depend on a wide range of factors including the size of the kitchen, design aspects, appliance choices, overall location, and more. As a result, this makes giving a solid estimate on the return rather difficult.

Regardless, when designed and built correctly, especially if done on an initial budget, an outdoor kitchen can and usually will increase the overall value of your home by a reasonable amount. That can make having an outdoor kitchen a very worthwhile project and investment to consider.