What’s been your summer highlight? Mine has definitely been the weather. Now that’s not something you often hear of a British summer, is it? While it is safe to say that this summer has been filled with uncertainty, the sunshine and bout of heatwaves have undoubtedly brought a slice of sunny joy to otherwise testing times. If you have a spacious garden where you can unwind, enjoy a delicious barbecue and catch a tan, then you are one of the lucky ones. But, a smaller space like my balcony has provided plenty of R&R, too. It’s all about how you design it – seating, lighting, decoration and a grill.
As we approach the final stretch of summer, I would teleport myself to one of these amazing outdoor kitchens to make the most of what’s left of balmy weather. Add a patio heater and a few thick throws and I’ll stay out for autumn too… what do you think? We can all dream right? Or at least get planning for next summer.
Design director and founder Peter Humphrey designed the Markham kitchen for Humphrey Munson. Plenty of worktop space to prepare the meals, a built-in fridge, and a sink mean you won’t have to keep dashing inside while cooking. Outdoor kitchens from Humphrey Munson start from £20,000.
A dining area is a must in your outdoor kitchen scheme. It is important to paint the furniture, so it can withstand all weather. Chairs in Sadolin classic allpurpose woodstain in natural, £17.90 for 2.5 litres; table top in Sandtex 10 year exterior satin paint in Cloudy Day, £19 for 750ml; pizza oven in Sandtex ultra smooth masonry paint in Pure Brilliant White, £23 for 5 litres; crates in Sandtex rapid dry satin paint in Bay Tree, £17.99 for 750m.
WWOO Concrete Outdoor Kitchen four-segment scheme features the Big Green Egg grill and a built-in sink. If you have a compact garden, you can go for the basic one-segment design, which costs £2226 excluding delivery, installation, and accessories.
This L-shaped layout includes a seating area – perfect for keeping the chef company while working away at the barbecue. Dekton by Cosentino Strato worktops, from £450 per sq m, in a Gaze Burvill outdoor kitchen.
If you aren’t planning on including plumbing, then place your outdoor scheme next to the one indoors, such as this Kitchen Architecture modular outdoor systems by Roshults in marine-grade stainless steel with anthracite lacquer and sustainably sourced teak wood. Prices start from £20,000.
Morsø’s enclosures can be designed to work around a variety of outdoor spaces and provide ample preparation, cooking, dining, and socialising space. Prices start from £5995 for the Forno Hut.
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Featured image: WWOO’s four-segment outdoor kitchen.
