The kitchen is moving outdoors, as one couple featured in the TimesFreePress.com has just finished building.
Kara and Darrell Atchley started discussing how to increase their outdoor living space last year after a decade in the Lookout Valley, Tenn. home in Black Creek subdivision.
When they bought the property, it had a pool with a covered nook that contained a built-in grill, mini-fridge and sink. But they needed more storage and seating.
“We wanted more room for entertaining and more room for family,” said Mrs. Atchley.
Their poolside renovation began last September that included a covered pavilion in the same stucco as the home’s exterior. In addition, they added a granite-topped serving bar with seating, TV, prep area and two storage closets, as well as a new powder-coated sofa and six chairs around the pool and a fire pit.
“Before we didn’t have comfortable seating out there. I love to sit outside and read,” she said.
The final clincher was refencing the backyard to obstruct the view of the golf course and surrounding mountains. Mr. Atchley said the total project added 1,000 square feet to their outdoor entertainment space.
Outdoor kitchens have grown tremendously in popularity with homeowners. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, architects saw a 64 percent increase in outdoor kitchen requests last year as compared to 47 percent in 2005.
As entertaining and cookouts have boosted the market, outdoor kitchens also save the cost of energy in the long run because the more cooking that can be done on a grill, the less spend on electricity to run an oven or stovetop.