Your Indoor and Outdoor Countertop Experts

April 20, 2018

The weather is finally starting to warm up, the grass is green, flowers are blooming, and it’s officially starting to feel like spring! It felt like this winter was never going to end. Now that spring has finally decided to make its appearance, that means that cooking and spending time outdoors will be on the top of most people’s to-do list. Hey, we can’t blame you! The spring season at the Lake of the Ozarks is beautiful. Backyards will soon fill up with sunshine, fireflies, and people enjoying a great BBQ. Outdoor kitchens are extremely popular and we understand why.

This kitchen might be in your backyard and not actually inside your home, but that doesn’t mean it can't be as beautiful or functional as your indoor kitchen. Metro Marble & Granite knows that outdoor kitchens may require less maintenance, but we know that there are a few things you can do to make sure you can enjoy your outdoor kitchen at the Lake of the Ozarks for years to come.

Choosing Countertops

When most people are creating or remodeling their outdoor kitchen, they often times choose natural materials, such as stone or granite for their counters. Both granite and stone offer a variety of different colors and textures. While this is great for the design of your outdoor kitchen, you should keep in mind that these materials are porous.

With porous countertops means the possibility of staining. For the most part, the sun and rain will help prevent staining, but you should also seal your countertops and wipe up any spills quickly. If your outdoor kitchen doesn’t have an overhead structure, you should consider covering your countertops during the winter months to protect them from the freezing temperature and the ice and snow.

Location Matters

Deciding where the best place for your outdoor kitchen is, depends upon several different factors. One of the most important things to focus on is the location of the grill. You'll want to place the grill in a specific location so that the smoke won't waft back towards your house. The other thing to keep in mind is how often you entertain. If you like to entertain frequently, you will want your space to be close to your home. You won't want to have to walk very far when carrying food and other items you need.

Do you like the current view of your backyard? If so, you will want to place your outdoor kitchen in an area that won't affect or obstruct your current view. If possible, place the outdoor kitchen and entertaining space off to the side or somehow incorperate it into your view.

Ambiance Is Important

The outdoor kitchen is basically an extension of your house and living space. It is a place to enjoy time with your family and friends all while enjoying the beautiful weather and your backyard. You'll want to make sure that this space is comfortable and inviting. You can create a welcoming environment with furniture, decorative objects, and certain lighting. When it comes to choosing furniture, you'll want to choose something that is not only stylish and comfortable but also durable. When it comes to lighting, there are many options. You can get in ground lights or you can get creative with hanging or string lights. Creating a space you'll want to spend time in is important when designing your outdoor entertaining space.

Don’t Forget About Safety

The weather in Missouri can be extremely unpredictable at times. Because of this, it's important to make sure that if the weather does become an issue, your outdoor kitchen and entertainment area will be protected. Consider adding a pergola or some sort of canopy over your outdoor kitchen. Not only will this allow you to continue to cook outdoors when it's raining, but it will also protect you from the heat and the sun. You can also use patio umbrellas for extra coverage.