How to Plan Your Outdoor Kitchen

With a little planning it’s easy to put together a fantastic outdoor kitchen. This DIY Network video presents a basic guide to get you started:

Make some big decisions based on your lifestyle. How often do you cook outside? How many months can you use the space? Set a realistic budget.

The grill should be the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen, no matter how simple or elaborate it is. Many grills today provide storage, workspace and burners. For a more elaborate flare, you can have a built-in grill complete with electrical outlets, a sink and even a built-in refrigerator.

Outdoor kitchens don’t need to follow a traditional work triangle design, but it’s handy to have at least 18 inches on either side of the sink.

Select weatherproof materials such as stone, stainless steel and outdoor ceiling fans. And don’t forget to leave enough room for foot traffic and eating areas.