One of the greatest things about living here in Perth is that we enjoy warm, sunny weather throughout most of the year. This is great for cooking, dining and relaxing outdoors, so you'll want to have a fully equipped outdoor kitchen ready to go. An outdoor kitchen fitted with all the latest accessories will have everything you need to entertain your mates when they pop by for a visit.
To improve your Alfresco kitchen design, check out these outdoor kitchen ideas below.
Install an Outdoor Barbecue
In order to be able to cook outdoors, you're going to need a decent grill.
Weber create incredible grills and barbies to meet your needs. Whether you need something compact or can accommodate a larger appliance, you'll find what you are looking for from the Weber range available at The Outdoor Chef.
Weber offers both standalone and built-in grills, so you can choose the perfect style for your outdoor kitchen's configuration. Pick between charcoal, gas, and electric varieties, depending on your needs and grilling preferences.
Create Plenty of Counter Space
In designing your outdoor kitchen, be sure to incorporate loads of counter space.
As you cook, you'll need somewhere to do all of your prep work, as well as somewhere to put finished food and raw items waiting to hit the grill. You'll also need space for serving dishes, beverage garnishes, cocktail mixers, utensils, and more. The more counter space your backyard can accommodate, the better.
You could even use some of that space to create bar seating for your guests near the kitchen setup so you can socialise with them whilst you cook.
Grab A Craft Beer Growler
It's not a proper Aussie barbecue without an ample supply of beer, and craft beer is a popular trend these days.
With your own craft beer growler or keg, you can stock up on your favourite brew at a local brewery or bottle shop with a growler filling station so you'll have plenty of beers ready to go. Purchase a few separate growlers to bring home multiple options to accommodate your mates' preferences, but don't forget to label them so everyone knows what they are getting.
Don’t Forget A Bar Fridge
If classic brews like VB are more your style, your outdoor kitchen design absolutely needs a bar fridge.
You don't want to have to keep running back and forth to the fridge inside to grab more beers every time someone's is empty. A bar fridge will provide plenty of space for heaps of cans or bottles, as well as whatever cocktail mixers you like. Even if the space isn't completely full of beer, you can still use it to keep food items cold while you prep.
Install Alfresco Shutters or Blinds
As the sun dips low in the sky in the evenings, it can shine right under your patio cover or awning.
To avoid having the sun ruin your party, add some alfresco shutters or blinds to the outer edges of your patio cover. This way, you can close them over as needed to block out the sun, then open them up again after it has set for the night. Blinds and shutters can still allow plenty of airflow into your patio, even when closed, so you won't need to worry about overheating on warm evenings.
Keep Cool with Outdoor Ceiling Fans
To keep the temperature cool and comfortable when it's especially hot outside, be sure to include at least one outdoor ceiling fan under your patio cover.
This will help to keep the air circulating so you don't get too hot, especially when the grill is on. In the evenings, this air circulation will also help to keep mozzies and other bugs away, so feel free to keep it running well into the night. Be sure the fan you choose is rated for the outdoors so it can withstand the elements.
Create Comfortable Seating Areas
No outdoor kitchen design is complete without somewhere for you and your mates to kick back and relax.
To do this, you're going to need plenty of seating. Try to create clusters of seats to encourage people to have conversations. Mix up the seating styles as well. For example, you could arrange a few chairs and a lounge sofa around a low table while having a bistro table with high chairs in another area. If your outdoor kitchen includes a bar, stools are great for providing seating.
Brighten Up the Area with Festive Lighting
To avoid having to go back inside once the sun goes down, you're going to need lights in your backyard.
Fairy lights or small lanterns overhead are great for creating a fun, festive atmosphere, and the light won't be overly bright. Place lights strategically throughout your yard as well to highlight garden features and decor. This will also help to guide guests around your yard as they mingle throughout the night.
Speak to The Outdoor Kitchen Professionals
At The Outdoor Chef, we are here to make your outdoor kitchen in Perth the best it can possibly be. In addition to creating custom outdoor kitchen designs, we also provide all the outdoor kitchen accessories you'll need to complete the space and make it perfect for entertaining.
Get in touch with the experts from The Outdoor Chef today. We'll help you turn it into a fun environment you and your mates are sure to enjoy for many years to come.