There’s a lot to do in and around Columbus, OH, but sometimes all you want is to enjoy the comfort of your own home. That is why it’s always a good idea to invest in creating a place where you can relax and have a good time. With that in mind, having an outdoor kitchen will not only level up the value of your landscape but will also allow you to have a great time at home with family and friends. To help with your outdoor kitchen arrangement, we’ve put together a list of the 4 best focal features for a stunning open kitchen that draw the eye while maintaining full functionality.
Structure
Before you consider decorative focal features for your outdoor kitchen, realize that your open cooking area will form one of the focal points of your landscape itself. Attractive and texture rich verticals are a great way to achieve this. Grill and cooking islands built from Lineo Dimensional Stone for a contemporary look or Rivercrest Wall if your landscape design has a more natural feeling, create an instant focal point for the landscape. The paving can similarly lead the eye to complement these focal points. Consider Beacon Hill Flagstone as a sturdy and character rich paving option with Copthorne bordering to frame the focal point of your cooking islands. The design can further be enhanced by experimenting with creative laying patterns.
Fire pit
Fire pits are an enticing feature on their own and can be a stunning complement to an outdoor kitchen. A fire pit can be placed in the center of a comfortable seating area adjacent to the kitchen to keep your guests entertained and nearby while cooking. For a simple, ready to construct design, you can opt for a prepackaged fire pit kit such as the Rivercrest Firepit Kit or Sunset Firepit Kit. Both options are made of sturdy wallstone especially equipped to handle the heat of a fire while contributing to the aesthetic of the space. You can also customize your design by including your own selection accents or banding.
Related Read: Perfect Fire Pit Placement for your OH Landscape
Lighting
Especially in the summer months, open air kitchens are often used for dinner as much as for lunch. If a barbecue around the pool by the moonlight sounds like the perfect way to spend an evening at home, invest in creating an enjoyable atmosphere by installing light fixtures for providing ambience and functional lighting for workspaces. You can also use decorative lighting as an enchanting focal point for your bar or kitchen counter, or as a centerpiece for the dining area. Lighting can also be used to highlight existing focal points after dark.
Wet Bar and Seating
Create a bar counter where your guests can sit and sip a drink while talking to the cook. A bar is not only a visual focal point, but the focal point for gatherings as well. Remember to include attractive vertical units for the base, such as Estate Wall or Brussels Dimensional System, and include plenty of barstool seating to accommodate your guests.