Trends in Outdoor Living

If You Can't Take The Heat, Move The Kitchen Outdoors

 

Over the last five to six years, it seems that homeowners have been extremely interested in adding up-scale living spaces, including outdoor kitchens to their backyards.

 

There are a number of theories offered to explain this increased demand. Some say the cost of vacationing with the family has spurred homeowners to look for another avenue for quality, family leisure time. Others say homeowners are looking to the great outdoors for a renovation project to enhance their properties.

“I truly think this is a resurgence of the 1950s and 1960s lifestyle. The advent of air conditioning and television has turned people into couch sitters, and I think people miss being social out in the fresh air,” says Brett Berry, owner and president of Landscape Renderings, Inc. Berry has seen the demand for these types of living spaces go from two to three jobs a year to more than 15 jobs. The amenities can range from a simple bar and grill combination to a fullblown outdoor kitchen.

Clients who want a soup-to-nuts outdoor living space really are trying to create a resort in their own backyards, Berry adds. Berry says costs can range from $7,000 for a basic grill with compact kitchen features and natural stone masonry to more than $35,000 for large projects that feature refrigerators, Kegerators, cable and sound systems and other amenities.

Dick DeVuyst is a certified remodeler, and for 17 years has owned Outdoor Environments in Overland Park. “People are still vacationing, but want to spend more time at home as well. And with an unsure housing market, more people are choosing to retain the home they are in and make improvements. For many, this may be the perfect time to fix up their home the way they’ve always dreamed’,” DeVuyst adds.

DeVuyst says outdoor expansion projects can start at $5,000 and after that, the sky seems to be the limit. DeVuyst’s company recently completed a project that featured a big grill, refrigerator, sink, bun warmer, cooling troughs, indirect lighting, pizza oven and tile counter tops. Many people choose to add fire pits as well. “People want the ambience of sitting next to a fire” he says.

Benjie Kent, certified remodeler and owner of 1st Deck in North Kansas City, says his first job in the outdoor living space arena was a $200,000 kitchen and living area. “It included hot and cold running water, a dishwasher, fireplace and television, plus much more.” But, he says, that may be an extreme example, and most homeowners are simply looking for a cooking area plus a fireplace and some type of roof covering.

“This trend is bigger than I ever thought it would be in Kansas City. It has always been popular in places such as Texas and Arizona, but with the cold weather here, it’s a little surprising,” remarks Kent.

Things to Consider

So, how does a homeowner decide just how many bells and whistles are necessary for one of these outdoor living spaces?

According to Kent, one thing few people consider is lighting. Low voltage lighting can totally transform an outdoor living space, and adds ambiance to the area.

The layout of the area is also important. As the grill is usually the center of activity, the remainder of the kitchen should be built around it. Sinks, cabinets and refrigerators should be within close proximity of each other.

Especially in cities such as Kansas City, homeowners will also want to consider ways to use their outdoor living area in all types of weather. For cold-weather cooking, Kent suggests the tall, portable gas heaters that some restaurants use in their outdoor dining areas. They can be freestanding or anchored in masonry, Kent says.

“We also add something called a ‘drop awning’ to some of our sites. People do want to cook out even in the winter and these types of awnings help block the winter wind,” he says.

Selecting a grill is one of the center points to planning an outdoor kitchen. The prices can range from $80 to $500 for charcoal models and from $200 to $4,000 for gas grills. The price of a grill rises as the size of the cooking surface and BTU output increase.

For the built-in look, try companies like DCS, Ducane, Lynx, Napoleon and Weber, all of which offer stainless-steel or porcelain— enamel units that look great as a built-in. Viking and GE also entered the outdoor grill market recently, making for a more competitive marketplace.

Kent says he strongly recommends clients use a plumber to winterize their kitchens that feature running water. “The lines have to be blown out and the correct shut-off valves have to be installed. It really should be done by a plumber,” he says.

What is it all Worth?

Jan Burchett, executive director of the Kansas City Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry in Merriam, says that without a doubt there is an upswing in demand for such amenities, but that these types of additions may not dramatically increase the value of the home. It may make it more attractive to a buyer, but a seller may not recoup the total investment. “It’s something people should want for their own enjoyment. If they plan on staying in their home it is proving to be a hot trend,” Burchett says.

 

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