SPECIAL SECTION : Spring Home Renovation Guide
of the tile , you can take your flooring to even greater levels with special patterns and designs . Another flooring enhancement — heated coils that run below the surface to keep cool tile warm and cozy when it ’ s cold outside .
Storage : While aesthetic appeal is important , a bathroom without sufficient storage space is truly lacking in function . Be sure your design includes a place to keep essentials like towels and personal grooming items . Whether your storage space blends in or stands out is entirely up to you ; some vanities actually look more like stylish furniture , and open shelving is a popular choice for a modern space .
With the wide range of options available , it ’ s easy to create a bathroom that delivers the perfect combination of style and function .
Smart , Stylish Designs for Outdoor Kitchens
Kitchens are moving outside and are expected to be a top design trend in 2017 .
An outdoor kitchen can greatly improve the value of a home , and it brings family and friends together . Whether it ’ s having your neighbors for a weekend barbecue or a big family gathering , everyone loves being outside .
Big or small , the basic principles of outdoor kitchen design remain the same . Get started by understanding these basics :
Get the right heat — It all starts with the grill , which is the centerpiece of the outdoor kitchen . Russ Faulk , chief designer and head of product for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet , suggests basing your selection on the cook you aspire to be , not the kind you are now . Remember that there are no uniform depths , heights or widths when it comes to grills , so future upgrades can be a challenge .
More homeowners are also expanding their cooking capabilities with specialized products offering different types of heat . Smokers , pizza ovens and charcoal or wood-fired grills are options to keep in mind as they can enhance the outdoor cooking experience .
Assess the space — Think about how you envision the relationship between your indoor and outdoor kitchens . If they are relatively close together , an outdoor kitchen can utilize the indoor kitchen ’ s capabilities , such as prep space and storage . Conversely , a fully independent outdoor kitchen with refrigeration , warming cabinets and cabinetry is more self-reliant , but will require more space and connections for gas , water and electricity .
In the zone — You ’ ll get the most out of your outdoor kitchen when you have different functional zones designated . Plot out where you will position four key zones , wet , cold , hot and dry , to make prepping , cooking , serving and cleaning much easier .
The cold zone should be next to the wet zone . This will simplify moving food from the refrigerator ( cold zone ) to the sink ( wet zone ) to wash and get ready for grilling in the hot zone . Also plan for uninterrupted counter space or landing areas for placing platters and utensils while cooking . Grills should have at least 24 inches to one side and 12 inches to the other . Sinks should have 18 inches on both sides for room to wash food or place dirty dishes .
Be sure to dedicate enough space for each zone and think about the relationships among them for cooking and serving activities .
Left outside — Being outdoors means your refrigeration and cabinetry will need to be equipped to handle the elements .
When considering refrigeration for an outdoor kitchen , Faulk stresses food-safe rated options . With these products , meats won ’ t go bad and drinks will stay cold , even when it ’ s above 95 degrees outside .
Cabinetry should be equipped to handle rain and protect the items inside . Weather-tight cabinets have seamless rain gutters around the door and drawer openings to help divert water .
By incorporating the right design principles , an outdoor kitchen can be the place where you and your guests enjoy delicious meals for years to come .
9 Steps to a Better Backyard
Follow these simple steps for building your dream escape — right in your own backyard .
Enlist an expert . Much like you might consult an interior designer , deck contractors can help make your dream outdoor space become a reality . Unless you plan to build the deck yourself ,
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