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Build a Better Outdoor Kitchen in Somerset County NJ

It’s no secret that outdoor kitchens have become a major trend in home design and more than 75 percent of Americans have at least a grill as part of their outdoor cooking equipment. There’s just something about the smell of smoke and being able to enjoy the fresh air as you prepare a meal to share with family and friends. Today’s homeowners want more than just a little hibachi grill for summer hot dogs. Each modern outdoor kitchen in Somerset County, NJ include everything from grills and smokers to built-in cabinets, refrigerators, garbage pullouts, sinks – and even beer taps.

The Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen in Somerset County, NJ

Adding an outdoor kitchen to your landscape design has many benefits, so it’s a worthwhile investment.

It Boosts Your Property Value

A permanent outdoor kitchen complete with a hardscape patio, built-in appliances, a workspace and seating area will increase your home’s worth should you ever decide to sell.

It Increases Your Entertainment Space

An outdoor kitchen provides a whole new place for entertaining guests, including room for extra seating and a place to gather for a meal or drinks. You’ll have room for as large a party as you wish when you double your capacity with indoor/outdoor living.

It Brings Years of Enjoyment

A high-quality outdoor kitchen will serve you daily for years and allow you to enjoy dining and conversation al fresco. There’s plenty of evidence that spending time in nature improves your mood and boosts your mental health, so you’ll enhance your family’s overall quality of life with your outdoor addition.

Tips for Designing an Outdoor Kitchen in Central New Jersey

As you begin to search for design ideas, one of the first things you’ll notice as that the majority of outdoor kitchens featured on your favorite Pinterest boards or in glossy home improvement magazines are in Arizona or Southern California. These are warm, dry areas where homeowners have the luxury of using their outdoor kitchens year-round without worrying about the weather.

Designing an outdoor kitchen in Somerset County NJ is a whole different ballgame, thanks to the temperate climate that features its fair share of rain and snow, depending on the season. For this reason, you’ll want to consider the following tips to make sure your outdoor kitchen design works on your New Jersey property:

1. Consider a Bar

Adding a bar to your outdoor kitchen will enhance your space by providing easy-to-grab refreshment on any occasion. Whether you’re entertaining family or just enjoying a quiet afternoon outdoors, a customized bar will keep the outdoor fun going all day long. Consider adding a sink, wine refrigerator or kegerator to optimize the functionality of the space.

2. Build in Your Seating

During a New Jersey winter, your outdoor furniture will need to be stored away to protect it from the elements. If you’re short on space, you can still have plenty of seating for guests if you add a low brick or stone wall to your outdoor kitchen design. This will serve as a bench to provide lots of extra seating and you can add cushions for comfort and flair. These will be much easier to pack away when the weather turns cold.

3. Add Cold Storage

Just because the winters in Somerset County are cold doesn’t mean that the summers don’t get hot! Help your guests beat the heat and keep food at a safe temperature by adding cold storage to your outdoor kitchen design. You can add a mini fridge to store steak tips and asparagus stalks before grilling, or add a refrigerated keg or wine fridge for perfect drinks every time. You can also consider a drop-in cooler that fits right into your counter or island to ice down soft drinks and beer on a hot day.

4. Choose Stainless Steel Cabinets

Designing an outdoor kitchen with a stone or poured concrete kitchen island is both fashionable and practical, as it gives you a beautiful work surface for food prep and eating. Take advantage of the space under your countertop by adding stainless steel cabinets. These will stand up to the weather all year long and allow you to keep dishes and cooking utensils at hand to make preparing that gourmet dinner a breeze.

5. Extend the Season With a Custom Fire Feature

Don’t abandon your outdoor kitchen on the first cool night! Add a fireplace or firepit to your space to provide additional heat when needed and you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor kitchen for months longer than you thought possible. Imagine hosting a Halloween cocktail party or post-football game gathering in the autumn — it’s possible when you just add a roaring fire!

When planning your outdoor kitchen, it’s important to keep in mind the climate in your own backyard. There are plenty of ways to adapt your outdoor kitchen to meet the challenges of rain and snow and the best way to make sure your ideas are right for your home is to contact a professional landscape designer for advice. They’ll walk you through the design process and take your needs into account to help you get the outdoor kitchen you’ve always wanted.

Why Choose Parker Homescape?

We have transformed hundreds of landscapes in and around the Somerset, Hunterdon, Essex and Union County areas, including Short Hills, Warren and Basking Ridge since our founding in 2006. Unlike many of our competitors, we undertake only one client project at a time, ensuring that every deadline is met and that every detail is considered. Additionally, a lead foreman with over 30 years of experience oversees your project from start to finish. This approach makes us one of the most sought after landscape design companies in Central New Jersey, and translates into a seamless, stress-free experience for you and your family.

Whether creating an outdoor living space, installing custom landscape lighting or building a custom outdoor fireplace, we believe that each landscape project is unique. We proudly promise customized solutions, superior customer service and competitive pricing for each of our clients.

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