Location

• If you're creating a kitchen outside, it's best to position it close to your indoor kitchen. This will make it easy for you to grab utensils from the indoor kitchen for outdoor meal preparation. Your traditional kitchen can also provide additional storage for the outdoor cooking space, so you can store refrigerated items or foods that have to be kept warm inside until you're ready to serve them.
  
  

Function

• If you plan to use your outdoor kitchen often, it's best to include several functional items in the space. Work with a contractor to create an area for the outdoor stove or grill that will allow you to walk through the kitchen safely, and select a refrigerator and freezer that match the size of the kitchen and don't make the space look cluttered. You should also choose cabinets and countertops that are easy to clean and maintain outdoors; stainless steel is usually a good choice.
  
  

Considerations

• The outdoor kitchen is still part of your home, so using your favorite colors and design themes will make the area attractive for you and your family. For instance, choose an outdoor grill in an exotic pink or green shade if the outdoor kitchen has a tropical theme, and add lighting in the shape of tiki torches on either side of the kitchen for functionality and design theme consistency.