OUTDOOR KITCHENS

While most traditional families today still see the mother doing most of the meal planning and preparation on a day to day basis, I think most fathers are definitely seen or known as the King Of The Grill.  It's a guy thing, isn't it? For whatever reasons, us men tend to love the BarBQue. Trust me, I know all too well.  My own kitchen has been under construction for the past FOUR months, and I have been without a stove since then. And I'm one of those guys that love to cook.  After all, I'm in the Kitchen Business.   So it's been the BarBQue that's been seeing all the action in my home lately, and I must admit, I kinda like it.

So as we celebrated Fathers Day this past June, hopefully, instead of the tie, or silk boxers or new 6-pack of socks, you gave good ole dad some grill stuff-or better yet the ultimate man's dream kitchen--an outdoor one. No?? Well, it's not too late-or too early to think about doing so for the coming holidays.

You can even call it something else if he's not into kitchens, like an outdoor bar, entertainment area or just a great place to party and hang with friends and family outdoors. Here in South Florida outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas not only increase the value and desirability of your home, but the year-round enjoyment of it as well. And let's face it, I'll bet many moms would really love one too--the outdoor kitchen is an exploding trend.  Today, more and more, kitchens for the outdoors are becoming increasingly popular.  Few activities are as much fun-or as bonding and enjoyable as an outdoor barbecue. And, what a great way to entertain and party, or just impress the neighbors. These days, from simple, to full scale custom designs, the outdoor kitchen can be-and often is-so much more than the standard barbecue gas grill.

Overall, outdoor kitchens, sometimes called "summer" kitchens, can be as complex as a full service kitchen with all the luxuries you'd expect to find in an indoor version.  In addition to a large outdoor grill, a well stocked outdoor kitchen can include such items as all weather cabinetry, an under counter refrigerator, ice makers, warming drawer, exhaust hood, sink and even a beer tap, just to name a few of the amazing options you can "stock" your new kitchen with.

And while outdoor kitchens are probably more popular in the warmer states like Florida and California, where they can be easily used all year around, manufacturers are also finding they are becoming almost as "hot" (pun intended) in the northern states as well, as they see their sales continually increasing there too. They just add such elegance and panache to any home from a starter to a mansion, and prices can run the gamut as well. The cost of a seriously great outdoor kitchen could start for as little as $ 3,500, but could easily go into the twenty thousand range as well, depending on your budget, taste and the amount of bells and whistles you want.

The selection of materials such as custom cabinetry and high end appliances will determine your actual costs.  Still, an outdoor kitchen can be a reflection of your own personal taste, and can even make a statement depending on the look you want to achieve. Now, more than ever, different is almost better. Especially in the upscale market. Striving to achieve that certain look, and make a statement, will almost always cost a lot more-but in many cases you can make a statement without breaking the bank.

For that "Wow" effect, creating an outdoor hearth type look, usually involves building in a dramatic hood fan or chimney style centerpiece, and a large gas, electric or charcoal type grill with it. These types of hoods and grills and the more sleek stainless steel ones made by companies like Viking, Dacor, Thermador and DCS, can often make an amazing statement, and create an outdoor kitchen that looks like a "work of art." Even counter top options have expanded in outdoor kitchens.  Surfaces such as granite, concrete, tile, stone, or even Dupont Corian's solid surface materials are being used more often, today, there's a lot more options than the old standby--brick.  But, whatever material you are choosing, keep in mind that not only does it need to look sexy on an outside patio, but it also must meet the challenges of standing up to the sometimes extreme changes in the outdoor environment as well. Although some of the indoor challenges disappear when designing an outdoor kitchen, some of the standard choices do not. When in the planning stage, you really need to approach it like a real kitchen.  Some things like, where are you going to work and prep items? Where are you going to store
items for outside? Do you need water or electric? How about a refrigerator? All of these components that need to be considered, as well as your budget, of course.

Another important factor to be considered in outdoor kitchen trends, is the real estate prices and market value of adding an outdoor entertainment area. According to many real estate experts, the return on the investment made has dramatically increased over the past few years! It makes a home seem larger and more luxurious. Depending on the complexity of your design, as well as the local market, you can actually count on a good return on your investment certainly in our area, just as in indoor kitchens, and in many instances, even make money on having made the initial expenditure.

The most important factor however, when determining if an outdoor kitchen is for you, is you and your family.  When it comes to being more comfortable, and enjoying your friends, family, home and the surrounding environment, there is no price tag that can be put on that. We all moved to South Florida to get a little more out of life. So live life to the max, and enjoy it inside and out, for you never know what tomorrow can bring. 

Today is a gift, Tomorrow is a mystery."  Enjoy and have a great Summer.