In Michigan, we love to maximize the time we spend outdoors before winter blasts send us scurrying inside. Installing an outdoor kitchen offers new opportunities to enjoy your beautiful environment while also expanding your living space and increasing your home’s value. On average, adding an outdoor kitchen to your home can result in an astonishing 85% return on your investment, according to realtor.com.

There are so many options for creativity when building a custom outdoor kitchen, from the sinks and countertops to the grill, bar, and pizza oven! Regardless of the project's scope, an outdoor kitchen will offer endless opportunities to enjoy your property and improve your living, relaxation, and entertaining environment.

Drastically improve your outdoor cooking and entertaining experience with an outdoor kitchen

Picture this: It's spring, and the snow is finally melting. It’s time to come out of hibernation, invite friends over, and celebrate a return to warm weather. But where are you going to put everyone?

Installing an outdoor kitchen not only improves the ease of outdoor cooking but also allows you to wow your family and friends with a stunning new environment to relax and enjoy each other’s company. You’ll never need to worry about having “too many cooks in the kitchen” with all the new space. We’ll work with you to create an outdoor kitchen layout that offers easy ways to cook, dine, entertain, and cleanup.

So, Where Should You Start? From Designing to the Finishing Touches

An outdoor kitchen can have everything that an indoor kitchen has—and more. Outdoor kitchens aren't limited by design constrictions that dictate indoor kitchen design. The only limitations are the available landscape space and your budget.

Let’s talk about several standard considerations when planning your kitchen. Below, we outline foundational elements involved in the outdoor kitchen development process.

1. Selecting Materials

The first step of an outdoor kitchen process is to develop a blueprint for the layout of your kitchen and entertainment area. Next, you’ll choose the materials to create your kitchen’s infrastructure. We’ll help you select pavers, cabinet finishes, and countertops that are made of weather-resistant materials to withstand storms, water, and extreme temperatures.

2. Choosing Appliances and Living Space Features

For most people, choosing appliances and living space features is the fun part of the process. Depending on the scope of your project, we can outfit outdoor kitchens with:

  • Refrigerators
  • Cooktops and ovens
  • Grills and pizza ovens
  • Sinks and wet bars
  • Dishwashers
  • Cabinets and counters
  • Bars, dining areas, and relaxation spaces

3. Installing your kitchen

Finally, it’s time to install your kitchen. This process involves:

  • Running plumbing and utility lines
  • Laying pavers, tile, or other floorings, or building a deck
  • Placing appliances and building out the entertaining and dining areas

4. Enhancing Your Outdoor Kitchen

In most areas, it's a good idea to add a shelter structure to protect your kitchen from ever-changing weather patterns. Installing a pergola or another type of covering allows you to enjoy the space in any weather.

Additional enhancements include:

  • Fireplaces and firepits: Install built-in fireplaces and fire pits for a cozy atmosphere
  • Surrounding landscape design: Complement your outdoor kitchen with beautiful surrounding landscape features.
  • Lighting: Illuminate your outdoor kitchen with lighting that can keep you cooking after sunset.

A brown brick outdoor kitchen built on a property in Grand Rapids, MI.

Dream big with your outdoor kitchen design and installation!

Are you looking to design and install an outdoor kitchen in or around Grand Rapids, Ada, or Cascade, Michigan? Rose Landscape Services has more than 15 years of experience expanding outdoor cooking, living, and entertainment spaces in the Ottawa and Kent county areas. Get started on building your dream outdoor kitchen by calling us at (616) 293-0361 to schedule a consultation.