The outdoor kitchen has become an essential element of lifestyle entertaining, adding usable square footage and value to the home. By Dianne M. Pogoda
The unofficial start of summer (Memorial Day Weekend) is almost here, with many thoughts turning to the great outdoors as another beautiful space in which to cook, dine and entertain. And the experience has evolved well past the splintery picnic table or webbed folding chairs and a few hot dogs on the grill.
The alfresco kitchen has come into its own as a prominent lifestyle component, adding value and equity to the home and extending the living space.
At KBIS 2018, NKBA welcomed John Colaneri and Anthony Carrino, known to DIY and design fans as the Kitchen Cousins, and award-winning designer Kerrie Kelly to The Backyard to talk about some of the finer points of creating an outdoor space.
Three “Fireside Chats” were sponsored by Coyote Outdoor Living, which makes grills and appliances designed for outdoor use; ClifRock, a fabricator of engineered stone products that can be crafted into freestanding outdoor islands and patio kitchens, and ShadeTree retractable deck and patio canopies. The three companies collaborated not only on the program at KBIS, but also on products to create turnkey solutions to outdoor living.
“There’s generally two ways people go in decorating their outdoor space,” said Carrino. “They’ll either make it an extension of their indoor space, or they take more chances when they’re decorating outside, and tend to have more fun.”
Kelly noted that most people spend 90% of their time indoors, so they welcome the idea of an outdoor space to take in the views and fresh air.
“Outdoor kitchens aim to provide a private, intimate space while blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor,” she said. “They utilize elements such as weatherproof countertops, grilling equipment, and a lot of cabinet space. Think of outdoor space as you would your indoor space.”
According to NKBA’s 2018 Design Trends Study, one in five designers surveyed designed an outdoor kitchen in 2017. Of those, 42% reported the demand for outdoor kitchens was greater than it was the prior year; 36% said demand was the same.
The cost of outdoor kitchens varies by size, materials and products used, but the lion’s share run between $10,000 and $39,999. The NKBA study found that 29% of outdoor kitchens cost between $10,000 and $24,999, and 25% put the cost between $25,000 and $39,999.
The two most-cited reasons homeowners chose to build an outdoor kitchen are to relax and enjoy cooking outdoors (45%) and to entertain guests (37%).
Carrino and Colaneri, who are contractors by trade, explained that in the early 2000s — pre-recession — many free-spending homeowners would build extravagant outdoor living spaces next to their pools that would take weeks, if not more, to complete the custom masonry, cost many thousands of dollars — and sometimes were just showpieces for the backyard.
Today, outdoor entertaining has become much more of a lifestyle.
“Among the biggest questions we get are about creating an outdoor space,” said Colaneri. “Elaborate outdoor entertaining spaces started to gain traction again in 2016. The level of sophistication in outdoor kitchen design has risen significantly, and these spaces add living space — and equity — to the home.
“In my own home, I have a 1,000-square-foot space that blurs the lines between inside and outside,” he added. “Bi-fold doors lead from the home to a bluestone patio. Grilling, power, and refrigeration are all outside — I didn’t want have to go inside for anything, so I have it all accounted for in the outside space.”
Coyote Grills president Jim Ginocchi touted the company’s 42-inch grill that can easily accommodate a party of 20, noting the unit is fully stainless steel from top to bottom, with ceramic flavor bars for even cooking. Laser-cut grates prevent food from falling through, and there’s a griddle option, too.
“I hate to use the word ‘trending’ in outdoor living,” said Ginocchi. “This is not a trend that comes and goes away. Before the housing bust, big outdoor kitchens were hot, but it seems like they were more for looks. They were big and splashy. Now, in the [economic] recovery, outdoor kitchens are much more an expression of lifestyle. They’re more versatile and they can be customized to any size. So, how do we bring it all together, keep the customer from strictly going the DIY route, and keep it at a good price point? We work as a team, with a more efficient cost structure that all fits together.”
ClifRock’s surround units mimic the look of natural stone that uses classic construction, but because the materials are a mix of fiber mesh and concrete, the unit is much lighter weight, according to Josh Brown, vice president of business development for the New England-based fabricator. ClifRock offers custom configuration cutouts that fit Coyote appliances, so the units come ready to assemble and all set to drop in the grill, sink, refrigeration or storage units. There are nine standard configurations, but the layouts can be customized as well.
“It’s all in how it’s manufactured,” Brown explained. “Our headquarters is in New Hampshire, where we have harsh weather extremes. With concrete, for example, the absorption problem is in expansion and contraction, which compromises strength and durability. Stone veneer falls off in a couple of years and you have to rebuild. With our system, we have a proprietary concrete mix with nano-fibers, so with less than 1% absorption, material is designed to withstand the weather, and the structure maintains its integrity longer.”
“Time is key for a contractor,” said Colaneri. “You can put this whole island together with two guys, in two or three hours, basically with screws. Then the plumber and electrician come in to hook up the appliances and sink, and you’re ready to go. And there’s no ‘punch list’ at the end. You get it done in one day — and with an outdoor space, you want to get it done fast.”
Carrino noted that the weight savings is also great, especially in spaces with load limits, like rooftop decks, adding that “Coyote has an electric unit that’s ideal for a roof deck or balcony, or in a multiunit dwelling, where you can’t use propane. So, it’s ideal for urban settings.”
Kelly added, “It’s great for small-space living, too — for a balcony, you can have a small electric grill in a ClifRock unit on casters, you can roll it into the elevator and onto your terrace.”
Asked what components are absolute necessities for an outdoor kitchen, Carrino responded, “At the minimum, you need a grill, a sink and a fridge — and the sink should be plumbed for drainage. The options depend on how the client uses the kitchen.
“My advice is to spend once,” he said. “Build your outdoor kitchen slowly and get the right products. Build up from there. With the ClifRock product, you can easily retrofit a sink or other appliance, and it easily cuts to fit your own existing grill if you aren’t replacing that right away. The surface cuts with a grinder.”
Colaneri added, “We’re seeing that people want higher-end and smaller — especially Millennials. You can get luxury if you just do it a little smaller. And really, if you’re going for value, you should think of something that’s going to last. The cost of this L-shaped unit runs about $9,000 to $12,000… you can’t do an indoor kitchen for that price!”
The outdoor kitchen can feel just as practical as the one indoors by adding ample storage and counter space, said designer Kelly. Incorporating a shade element, performance rugs, and durable equipment brings together the outdoor element. She loves incorporating tones of nature, like emerald and Kelly greens, in her outdoor spaces, and comfortable accents to create an ideal lounge or social space.
Kelly designed furniture and accessories to complement the Coyote products as well, making this is one-stop shopping for outdoor living.
Some degree of protection from the elements is essential in planning an outdoor space, she said. Using a canopy structure to shield from a blazing sun, or to stay covered during a passing shower, keeps the outdoor party going. That’s where collaborating partner ShadeTree comes in.
“Completing the outdoor living space, our pergolas and canopies can be made from wood, vinyl or metal,” said Don Corder, sales manager at ShadeTree. “They have a tear-away feature for wind resistance — they’re actually hurricane-rated. The canopies have a 10-year warranty, so they last a long time. There are hundreds of colors of fabrics, many configurations from traditional to contemporary, options for shade versus light. The fabric resists fading because it is fiber-dyed. You can also add LED light strips in channel grooves of the roof fabric panels.”
Despite the vast array of colors, the most popular is actually beige, he noted. Because the product lasts a long time, if the homeowner stays neutral with the biggest piece, the look can be refreshed with colorful accessories and accents and it won’t look dated.
“As a designer who wants to put together a full package for my clients,” Kelly added, “I look good when I choose these because they all go together.”
