How to Upgrade Your Patio with an Outdoor Kitchen

Do you love entertaining at your home but find your family and friends crowding around the kitchen table and countertops? Enjoy warm evenings all year long in the comfort of your own backyard by installing an outdoor kitchen. No matter your budget and style preferences, you can still afford a great space to cook, eat and entertain.

Find out what materials and features you’ll need to explore before transforming your patio into a usable outdoor kitchen.

To have a kitchen anywhere you of course need suitable counter space. When that kitchen is outdoors, those counters need to be durable and strong. California weather may be more forgiving than weather in other areas of the country, but wind and rain will still affect your outdoor space.

Homeowners love granite indoors for kitchens and bathrooms alike, and luckily you can choose granite for your outdoor countertops as well. When properly installed, granite won’t crack, fade, scratch or stain (at least not easily). When you’re likely to be grilling outside, the heat resistance of granite remains a huge advantage. If you want low-maintenance outdoor countertops, rely on granite.

Marble countertops offer similar advantages to granite, though the key with marble countertops is the finish. You’ll need to choose a honed finish to minimize etching. If you’re not into the rustic look, marble shouldn’t be your top choice, as rain and dust will dull the finish over time no matter how it was originally finished.

You may love the look of quartz, but quartz countertops don’t offer the same level of weather resistance that materials like granite or marble do. Though some quartz countertops may stand up to intense UV exposure, expect most quartz countertops to undergo significant fading when used outside.

No matter the material you ultimately hope to use for your exterior countertops and tables, don’t go wild with your color choices. Even if your patio is covered, dark stone countertops and tables absorb a lot of heat, which could make it uncomfortable and potentially even unsafe to work and sit around your outdoor kitchen.

Keep in mind that outdoor countertops still need to be cleaned and maintained. Just because it’s outside doesn’t automatically make it perfectly weather-proof. When you go with a low-maintenance option like granite you won’t have a lot to do, but you’re guaranteed longer-lasting countertops if you clean them with care and take care of any issues immediately.

Whether you want a traditional cooktop or a built-in grill, granite countertops or another similar natural stone complete your kitchen experience. Commonly used inside, stainless steel features like sinks and cabinets work great outdoors as well, and the colors of natural stone look great matched up with stainless steel features. Stone countertops can also be cut to fit perfectly around sinks and cabinets.

Take advantage of all your outdoor space and consider an outdoor bar. If you need extra seating or workspace, even a small bar makes a big difference. Choose the same stone and color for the bar top, or go with a contrasting color to make this area distinct.

If you have the space and you want a supremely cozy patio where you can truly enjoy everything, look into outdoor fireplaces. Choose special stone to surround the fireplace, place a few comfortable couches and chairs (that can stand being outside full-time) and you have a unique space to relax in the evenings, no matter the time of year.

An outdoor kitchen allows you to take full advantage of your backyard and patio area. Contact the experts at Best Marble & Granite Companyfor a free consultation. We’ll work with you to choose stone features that complement your style and ensure a long-lasting kitchen space.