Kitchens are the undisputed heart of the home, where everyone gathers, mingles, and lingers during parties. But to achieve that kind of appeal outside means expanding your outdoor living space. To draw a crowd—and keep them entertained—requires a bit more than plopping down a table and a few plastic chairs.

With an outdoor kitchen you can prepare meals and be around your guests with minimal time spent running back inside for plates, beverages, or tongs. Although you could spend tens of thousands of dollars for a custom outdoor kitchen, a basic island is an efficient design that leaves out the complexity of curves and angles. Not only that, with an island guests can relax on one side while you're cooking on the other, so you feel as though you're part of the gathering.

Since durability is such a critical issue for an outdoor kitchen, stone veneer is a low-maintenance option that won't need painting or sealing. Real stone is heavy, expensive, and requires the experience of a mason. Cementitious cultured stone, such as the type used in this project from Landmark Stone, is easier to work with because it's lighter, cuts faster, and lasts just as long as the real thing—all while looking as natural as real stone.

I'm a skeptic when it comes to outdoor kitchens (who needs anything more than a grill and a set of tongs?). I'm revising my thinking, however, now that I've spotted—and swooned over—the ultimate kitchen system from the Netherlands.

There is something wonderfully irreverent about carrying out one of life's daily activities without a roof over your head; from rustic to modern, here are ten favorite outdoor kitchens where we would like to spend our summers cooking.

This Outdoor Fireplace / Outdoor Living Area from the Clark House by Family Leisure brings life to your outside. Made from custom stone and engineered to the highest quality standards,they are truly one of a kind.

A backyard oven not only bakes good bread, it creates ambiance and provides a focal point for your outdoor entertaining area.

Outdoor kitchen design ideas

Kitchen in one of the most influential areas of all houses. Right from the beginning of the world; place to cook food has been given great importance in the architecture. Even in this modern age kitchen is undergoing revolutionary changes. Outdoor kitchens are the greatest trends in the kitchen designing fields now. There are different factors that determine this trend. Undoubtedly it is the changing needs of the modern man which is behind this style. Outdoor kitchen designs are very different from that of the indoor kitchens.

Even though there are all similar equipments and objects present in the outdoor kitchens also, it is the extra features that make it different. Not every Outdoor kitchen designs are the same. Today architects are ready to assist you in developing your own kitchen with unique features and facilities. All you need is to make a comprehensive search over internet to get information about the best architects who is specialized in these outside kitchens. Ensure that all equipments and devices are waterproofed for safety. It is good enough to have a temporary shelter over these settings to avoid environmental impurities. As there will be smoke issues if you are covering these kitchens, keep it open for the best outcomes.

Outdoor entertainment at its finest in this outdoor kitchen and living area, built by reVISION Custom Home Renovations.

Outdoor Kitchen Designs

Outdoor Kitchen Designs