Grills Just Wanna Have Fun Outdoor Kitchen Trends

Mostpeople living in the Central Valley spend a lot of time outdoors with family and friends from spring to summer. Creating a backyard oasis has become essential for many homeowners, especially during the pandemic, when we spent far more time at home. Devon Brown from Charter Oak Landscape shares the latest outdoor design trends and features for this year.

lapitec.com

Minimal and Essential

From Italy comes an innovative new surface option: a 100% green, chemical-free, incredibly durable, natural product called Lapitec. This is a mixture of pure mineral powders formed into natural and chic slabs. It’s UV resistant, heat resistant (you can set hot pans on it), hygienic (does not collect dirt or debris), and durable. We see this being a frontrunner in countertop choices for years to come—for both indoor and outdoor uses.

Go With Your Tastebuds

Our entertaining styles inform our outdoor kitchen designs, which align directly with what we like to eat. Cuisine-specific requests have been on the radar as of late. Some of my favorites have been pizza and paella. Installing a wood-burning pizza oven is quite a commitment, but the super-efficient Ooni countertop options are great. One of my favorite dishes to eat is paella, so naturally, I am on board with an awesome paella grill setup. A burner and pan combo from La Paella is great for hosting dinner parties. When designing spaces for these portable elements, it is important to keep clutter at a minimum and designate a storage or “parking space” for them when they are not in use.

ooni.com

Keep it Simple

Fads ebb and flow. Our clients want to avoid being tied to an expensive (and expansive) outdoor cooking space. Simple outdoor prep and serving areas fit the needs perfectly. Some designate a spot for a nice grill, others want a sink or refrigerator if their outdoor kitchen is far from the house, and many just want a simple counter space to serve food. Less is more. You can opt to have a custom kitchen space designed and built, yet some beautiful prefab kitchens on the market look completely custom. Lately, we have been enjoying the line from Danver Kitchens.

danver.com

Playing it Cool

New technology solves an age-old problem: Automated louvered roof shade structures. These let in the light when you want it, provide you with complete shade and rain protection when you need it, and can be equipped with lighting, fans, speakers, sockets, and side panel screens. Quality manufacturers like Brustor have multiple configuration options to fit your space precisely.

brustor.com