Summer simply isn’t summer without savory barbecues outside with family and friends.
There’s nothing like a hamburger or hot dog right off the grill, coupled with potato salad and your favorite refreshing drink as you lounge in your very own outdoor space.
The summer barbecue is a cornerstone of American home living, but how many of us actually have the equipment we need to make it happen (and happen right)?
All too often, we start out with a great idea, which then turns into an onerous list of tasks that keeps us from enjoying the full experience of a cookout. That’s especially the case when you don’t even have a grill yet. You end up doing all the cooking indoors and then you have to carry each item out, causing you to miss out on the social time outside. It’s not intentional, but it happens because of the way the space is structured and how that affects your ability to interact with your guests.
But, what if a summer barbecue could be different—more social, relaxed, less frenetic?
A stylish outdoor kitchen in NJ can accomplish just that by putting everything you need right at your fingertips, placing you at the center of the socializing!
While three in four adults in the United States own a grill or smoker, that’s simply the beginning of the possibilities when it comes to dining and entertainment outdoors. An outdoor kitchen brings the promise of family gatherings, parties with friends, or even a romantic dinner for two. Everything you need is outside—and it’s up to you to decide how far you want to go! You might choose to install a sink, countertops, a refrigerator, cabinets, a bar, or any number of outdoor kitchen appliances…the possibilities are endless!
Try These Five Outdoor Kitchen Ideas!
At Darlington Designs, you pick out the exact features you want for your NJ outdoor kitchen—we make the magic happen! After all, who needs vacation when home has everything you could want—cosy, luxurious, and laugh-out-loud fun?
Try getting one or more of these features and you might find yourself cooking outside more than in!
1. Add a Full-Size Fridge
If you constantly find yourself outside and cooking, having a fridge and freezer can help a lot. Imagine having all the meats, salads, drinks, and other perishables you need right within arm’s reach of the grill.
Having an outdoor fridge is one of the best ways to cut down on the number of times you have to go inside within a single grilling session. Once you have your favorite foods stocked, it’s easy to do a spontaneous barbecue! Another plus is that an outdoor refrigerator increases the value of your home, making it a worthwhile investment.
2. Expand your Surface Area
The most common complaint we hear about any kitchen is a lack of countertop space. And that’s no different when you’ve decided to move outdoors! Building in a classy countertop allows you to prepare and serve food with ease so you don’t have to figure out where to set things in the middle of a delicate grilling operation.
And, the best part is that your countertop can set the style of your outdoor kitchen area, depending on the materials you use. For example, you could use flagstone for an earthy feel, or granite for a modern look.
Countertops can be long and sleek, turn into an eating bar, or be a simple and compact space right next to the grill. You can opt for an angled counter for a slight twist, or even build in a tabletop firepit for a completely original design. The decision is yours!
3. Build Out your Storage
Cabinets are a must for a well-stocked outdoor kitchen. You can store sets of dishes, glasses, and serving bowls, all to be used exclusively outside. Some strategically-placed drawers help you organize the essentials for grilling and serving food—a metal spatula, serving spoons, and a few sturdy knives, not to mention an extra set of silverware.
Cabinets are typically installed underneath the countertop area, but you can place them in any number of ways. The goal is to combine the best of practicality and style for a truly customized outdoor area.
4. Grill Like a Pro
The grill is the most important piece of your outdoor kitchen, and there’s such a wide range of options that you’ll want to think carefully about what you want. Grilling at its best allows for even heating, excellent searing, and minimal smoking.
A homeowner who wants to bring grilling back to its rightful form might go for a rustic brick rendition, or perhaps a stainless-steel setup. The experts at Darlington Designs can help you pick the right style for you—as well as whether a gas, charcoal, electric, or pellet grill would best suit your needs.
5. Wash Like it’s Fun (Because Now it is!)
Who says that washing the dishes has to be a tedious chore? Once you’ve installed an outdoor sink, things will never return to how they used to be. Washing up tends to be the downside to any barbecue marathon, with the dishes stacking up until the guests leave. Then, you’re too tired to wash and have to face a load of dishes the next day.
But what if you could get the washing done and remain at the center of all the action at the same time? An outdoor sink gives you the ability to stay and chat with everyone, enjoy the sights, smells, and warm weather outdoors, all while keeping your hands occupied. Before you know it, the dishes are washed and you didn’t miss out on anything!
Outdoor Kitchens for NJ and Philadelphia Area Residents
Your outdoor kitchen is your platform for hosting and entertainment, making mealtime a snap during the summer months. Once you have an outdoor kitchen set up, the transition between leisure and cooking becomes effortless.
With everything at your fingertips––all the food, dishes, utensils, sink, and of course the grill—you don’t have to run into the house every five minutes. It’s perfect for tasty barbecues and impromptu gatherings with loved ones (especially by the pool). An outdoor kitchen will transform your summer experience!
At Darlington Designs, we’re proud to serve the residents of Glassboro New Jersey, Philadelphia, and the surrounding area with state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen appliances. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you design and build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams, please contact us at 856-442-0440.