Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet News and Press

Kitchen and Bath Business
April, 2007

Outdoor kitchens are the new heart of the home.

Outside Influences

Outdoor kitchens are the new heart of the home

By Stephanie Herzfeld

Beyond a hibachi and plastic lawn chairs, the concept of outdoor living spaces—centered on kitchens that feature the same components as their indoor counterparts—is becoming increasingly evolved as homeowners across the country embrace their backyards year round. Not only are more manufacturers getting into the game, but those that already offer outdoor products are honing and expanding their wares to provide consumers with every conceivable amenity imaginable.

According to StandPoint, an Atlanta-based research and marketing firm, approximately one million households currently have outdoor kitchens (as defined by spaces complete with grills/cooktops, cabinetry/storage, refrigerators, sinks and countertop and/or island workstations), and 1.2 million additional households will purchase or install all of the components necessary for an outdoor kitchen within the next year. In keeping with these statistics, a June 2006 AIA design survey found that nearly two-thirds of architects reported an increase in demand for outdoor kitchens, patios and decks.

Meanwhile, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) data indicates that consumers want to outfit their outdoor kitchens with large, permanently installed grills, refrigerators and work areas; not surprisingly, appliance makers such as Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, Viking, Sears and Perlick are only too happy to oblige. According to all, the key to keeping homeowners happy is offering myriad choices. "Consumers want the flexibility to scale their outdoor kitchens over time," said Pete Georgiadis, owner of Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet. Homeowners want to add on to their outdoor spaces with built-in and freestanding accoutrements like bars, beer dispensers and specialty sinks, but desire plenty of appliance options from the start.

To that end, both Viking and Perlick have enhanced their respective cooking and refrigeration offerings. Jeff Wimberly, Perlick's residential products director of sales and marketing, noted that customers expect to be able to select from a wide range of storage solutions, so having numerous profiles and customization options is key. Case in point, the company's single-zone refrigeration profiles come in sizes ranging from 24 to 48 in. and can be configured to each client's needs with a variety of doors, drawers and shelves.

With so many specialized products out there, how does one integrate them into an outdoor space that complements the look and atmosphere of the home? Jeff Lake, aia, of Newport Beach, CA-based Bassenian Lagoni Architects, who spoke on outdoor living spaces at IBS in Orlando, suggests establishing an indoor/outdoor connection via courtyard architecture. According to Lake, an ideal layout would feature a central courtyard (encompassing outdoor kitchen/relaxing/playtime areas) as the heart of the home. "If you orient as many rooms as possible to the central courtyard, you can activate the space and make it the focal point," he said. While the stainless-steel finishes frequently found in kitchens are also available in outdoor appliances and cabinetry and can help visually connect interior and exterior spaces, Lake also recommends using natural materials (i.e., terra-cotta pavers, wood beams and stones) and window walls that easily slide apart to reinforce that bond.

With summer approaching and peole feeling the need to reconnect to nature, it's a sure bet that homeowners will be clamoring for outdoor kitchens and the pleasures of living al fresco they provide. So, if it's getting too hot in the kitchen, help your clients chill out in the backyard!