Moving – Al Fresco Kitchens
Well, outdoor kitchens are all the rage, and this seems to be the newest project to plan. Many people who had originally planned to move house have recognized that it is better to wait for market conditions to improve and have stayed.
So why not improve the house while you wait? You’re joining the thousands of people who are thinking, ‘Hey, an outdoor kitchen sounds less like chores and more like fun!’
Either way, there is a growing trend towards outdoor living and retailers are interested. There are incredible options in all aspects of outdoor living. These include halogen lights, exotic bars, outdoor entertainment centers, beer taps, and patio heaters.
The kitchen centers are also totally luxurious and come complete with sinks, refrigerators and cabinets. Barbecues are expanded with added extras like warming drawers, rotisseries, smoking systems and quick-sauté elements.
An analysis by the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association (HPBA) states that close to 60% of all grill owners cook outdoors year-round. Manufacturers brought all-weather outdoor cooking appliances to service the vacation home markets, but of course the idea has spread to all of us.
If your yard is very limited, you can use the space on the side of your house. Lack of patio space often means front yards are converted, with a lattice or Japanese screen here and there for privacy. Some areas may want to incorporate a small sun/rain canopy near the seating area.
Ideally, exiting screen doors into a backyard patio would be a great starting point for your outdoor room. There are many styles of outdoor flooring to choose from if you don’t already have a patio area installed.
If you want less fuss, large eighteen-inch square concrete slabs are the easiest to lay. Square to hexagonal, deep red to ocher yellow, ornamental pavers look very effective.
Any of these floors is easy to install. Level the floor completely, spread it with a one-inch layer of soft sand, and lay the tiles, using a level to make sure no renegade corners show up later.
If you’re using the smaller pavers, it’s a good idea to make a “frame” out of wood slats to keep the edges clean. The edges of these should be lower than the top of the pavers.
Professionals use a heavy roller to flatten the tiles in the sand, but this is very heavy equipment to move. If this idea isn’t practical, you can lay a sheet of plywood on top and walk on it for a few days.
Large slabs aren’t that much of a problem – the sheer weight usually means they’ll stay in place! If your patio area will be away from the screen doors, for example under a tree or near an existing pond, you can build a path that leads to it.
Some people plan their kitchen area to the side of their patio area and make more of a centerpiece out of their chairs and coffee table etc. If you are incorporating a bar into the area, it will usually be on the edge so that the back of the bar faces the fence or wall of the house.
Tables and chairs are usually needed for family dining, and the strange rattan rocking chair is nice. Oh, and of course, you’ll need some potted plants!
With all the furniture options and so much to choose from, the outdoor living room could become the most popular place for the family.
It will be yet another part of the house that will have to be ready to be seen when it comes time to sell that house. Are you sure you want to sell it now?
