There’s nothing quite like spending a balmy night with friends and family at home. Outdoor living is part of Australia’s DNA. Our climate is perfect, our views are exquisite and Aussies love showing off their new renos.
This is one of the many reasons why we do what we do. Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens have been creating dream outdoor entertaining areas and outdoor kitchens since 2012. Our approach to design is simple. We start by understanding how you like to live and then design a custom outdoor kitchen that suits your lifestyle, needs and budget.
This blog will help you understand how an outdoor kitchen can extend your entertaining area, making it your new favourite place at home.
But first…
Why an outdoor entertaining area?
An outdoor entertaining area gives you the perfect opportunity to make the most of those beautiful Australian summer days and nights. It allows you to explore new methods of cooking, like low-and-slow or smoking meats. And it keeps your home’s interior free from mess.
It’s important to create a seamless connection between your indoor and outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor entertainment area should be an extension of your home, allowing people to flow with ease between the two spaces. Read our blog on indoor and outdoor kitchens that work together.
What should I have in my outdoor entertaining area?
There are a couple of elements that make the perfect outdoor entertaining area. An outdoor kitchen, a fire pit for winter, furniture, lighting and shade are the five key elements to consider when designing the perfect outdoor area.
An outdoor kitchen
An outdoor kitchen is really the heart of your outdoor area. Your kitchen should be a balance of practical and beautiful. AOK builds custom kitchens to fit just about any space. We use durable materials, like polished concrete that is low maintenance and can generally withstand a range of temperatures. View some of our outdoor kitchens.
A fire pit
Outside of fire season, and during winter, a fire pit is a great addition to your outdoor area. Fire pits come in a range of sizes and styles. Read our blog on fire pits to learn more about the different shapes, sizes and styles for your home. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can try a fire pit cooker. Learn more about the beauty of fire pit cookers.
Furniture
Furniture is a really important thing to consider. Your outdoor area will need comfortable seating for your guests and a table to share meals around. You’ll also need furniture that can withstand that weather. Australians throw out as much as 24kg of wooden furniture annually.
A furniture rubbish survey of 2,500 residential properties across Australia’s metropolitan areas determined that a household throws away as much as 24kg of wooden furniture annually. Source
Furniture waste occurs because homeowners don’t always invest in high-quality furniture from the outset. They opt for cheaper items that last a couple of months and then are ready to go to the dump. If it is one thing you take from this blog, let it be that investing in good furniture is worth it.
Our custom-made furniture is designed for outdoor use, is practical, and functional and will enhance the aesthetics of your home.
Lighting
When it comes to lighting, you need to think about more than just ambience. Design, style, the right light for preparing food and bug control are just some of the things one needs to consider.
Consider task lighting for activities like chopping, cutting and cooking. Opt for dimmers to adjust the brightness and use yellow LED lighting to keep the bugs at bay.
Shade
Finally, shade. It goes without saying that you can’t survive an Aussie summer without a bit of shade. Invest in a pergola or veranda for permanent coverage or a canvas cover or a Balinese hut for temporary cover.
When it comes to pergola materials, you can choose from aluminium, wood or vinyl. Each has its pros and cons.
