COOK OUT NOT SMOKE OUT

HARDSCAPE


“Good BBQ comes from experience, and experience comes from bad BBQ”

– Cousin Woodman


 

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The Eye of the Beholder

A Matter of Style

 

A hardscape outdoor kitchen is a unique style that is focused on natural surfaces like brick or stack stone. While this style has been popular over the years it is quickly being replaced by high quality outdoor rated cabinetry options.

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Make Less Trips Inside

Storage

 

Keep the grilling and serving essentials right at hand and eliminate needless trips inside to get this or to get that. With options that include self contained cabinets, drawer banks and sealed pantries or just a door into the unfinished interior of the outdoor kitchen.

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Outdoor Kitchens Doors Glam Lo
Outdoor Kitchens Sealed Dry Pantry Glam New
Store Dry Goods Outside

Sealed Pantry

 

Sealed with a gasket these pantry systems can safely store spices or other food items that don’t require refrigeration. This potentially secret storage is particularly helpful when you’ve got 27 different spice rubs and your spouse won’t let you buy any more because you already have enough.

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The Center of Entertainment

Sink & Bar Set Ups

 

30″ Insulated sinks help keep ice all day and provide a centerpiece to the entertainment portion of your outdoor kitchen. If the grill anchors the work area of your outdoor kitchen, the sink and bar anchor the entertainment area.

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THE JOURNEY STARTS WITH A SINGLE STEP

Contact Us

 

Whether you’re looking for a unique custom outdoor kitchen, designed and built to match your aspirations or a simple and straight forward set up, it all starts with a conversation. Learn more by scheduling a personal consultation with one of our design experts.

 

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Hardscape Kitchens

 

When it comes to planning the perfect outdoor kitchen, you must consider the cabinetry, appliances, and the hardscaping. What is hardscaping, and how does it fit into your kitchen? What are some ideas for hardscape that you can use in your own backyard? Here at Outdoor Kitchen Guy, we specialize in designing and building outdoor kitchens in the greater Orlando area. We work with a lot of hardscape projects, and we’re happy to let you in on the process. Let’s start by answering the question, “What is hardscaping?”

 

What is Hardscape?

Maybe you’re familiar with the term “landscape.” But what is hardscape, and how does it relate to your outdoor kitchen? Simply put, hardscape is the non-living aspects of the landscape. This includes stone floors, brick walls, or a wooden gazebo. Also, softscape is the living aspects of your landscape, like trees, bushes, grass, and flowers. These hardscape projects help bring some structure to your outdoor kitchen, as well as a sense of place. Hardscape can also include any outdoor water structures, like a fountain or a koi pond. Now that we know what hardscape is, let’s talk about some of the pros and cons of hardscape, and how you can incorporate it into your outdoor kitchen.

 

Hardscape Pros and Cons

There are a few pros and cons to keep in mind when you’re considering hardscape options for your outdoor kitchen. Just like with outdoor cabinetry, or appliance packages, hardscaping can work for any outdoor kitchen. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons, so you know if it’s a good fit for you and your vision.

 

Pros

With something as versatile as outdoor hardscape, there are tons of benefits to any kind of hardscaping. For example, a concrete or brick patio adds a solid flooring for you and your guests, in case the grass is damp or muddy. Hardscaping such as a roof or gazebo also keeps your outdoor kitchen covered, which helps protect it from the sun. And of course, hardscape design offers a level of interest to your outdoor kitchen. It gives it a little something more than just a grill and some grass.

 

Cons

Of course, there are a few cons to consider with hardscaping as well. The first, and biggest, downside is manual labor. Installing any kind of hardscaping requires a bunch of hard work. When you’re thinking about adding hardscape to your outdoor kitchen, consider how much it will cost to hire masons, architects, or any other specialists. Also, consider the weather when you install your patio or gazebo, especially if you’re going to build it yourself. Is it the middle of summer? Make sure you have plenty of cold water for the workers. And the third thing to consider is accessibility. Do you plan on living in this house for a long time? Do you have any family members who have less mobility, or are you already retired yourself? When you’re planning your outdoor kitchen, make sure you consider your mobility in the future. You don’t want to install those beautiful stairs, and not be able to walk down them in ten years.

 

Hardscape Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

No matter what style of outdoor kitchen you’re looking for, you can use hardscaping to add the perfect touch. Let’s take a quick look at some examples and inspiration for using hardscape in your outdoor kitchen.

 

Modern

When you’re looking for a sleek, modern look, you don’t want a lot of hardscaping that’s going to stand out. You could try a flagstone or tile patio, a good way to use modern/natural gray tones without distracting from the kitchen itself. Consider adding a minimalist stone fountain, and a gravel garden pathway. Let the color accents come from the grass, plants, and patio furniture.

 

Rustic

A rustic style outdoor kitchen would look amazing with a brick or stone patio, or a wooden deck. Try adding a stone fire pit, to give your guests a main spot to gather and socialize. With a rustic look, you want to use a lot of earthy, natural tones, but you have a little more flexibility when it comes to colors. And of course, it depends on the colors of your outdoor kitchen. If your cabinets are a dark brown, you can make sure to incorporate that into your hardscaping, by adding a matching fence, a dark brown gazebo, or any other accent structure.

 

Beach inspired

Since our company is based in the Orlando area, we specialize in Orlando outdoor kitchens. We love beach inspired outdoor kitchens. If you’re looking for this style, we recommend gravel or stone walkways, and a beautiful gazebo to provide some extra shade. To really highlight a beach-inspired theme, stick with light colors, sandstone, and accents of blue or gray. However, the colors you pick are totally up to you! If you’re not sure what style you want to go for, contact us and we’ll connect you with one of our professional designers. We’ll help you design your dream outdoor kitchen, from start to finish.

Should I Include Hardscaping in Your Outdoor Kitchen?

Absolutely!

Hardscape adds an extra element of elegance to any outdoor kitchen. It helps bring it together as a cohesive space, instead of just a grill and some lawn chairs. With hardscaping, you can really make your outdoor kitchen feel like home. Plus, it makes your outdoor dining experience much nicer. By adding some built-in lighting options, a nice place for guests to congregate, and a tidy walkway around the garden, you can make your outdoor kitchen a nice place, not only to eat, but to live.

 

Start Planning Your Orlando Outdoor Kitchen Today!

Do you live in the greater Orlando area? Are you looking to build your dream outdoor kitchen? We’d love to work with you! If you’re interested in learning more about our process, check out the Process page for more information. When you’re ready, give us a call at (407) 330-6860, or fill out the contact form on this website. We look forward to working with you!