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Landscape Design Pools & Spas Design Dilemma

Outdoor Kitchen - Shade/Layout Help

last month

I really want to have an outdoor kitchen and fireplace/TV wall, but I'm struggling with a place to put it. I like the idea of building it along my retaining wall because it keep the space open, but I'm worried about it being too sunny in this area. Does anyone have an stylish ideas for adding shade to this area? Or a better recommendation of how to lay this out?

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Comments (8)

PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last month
last modified: last month
We got cement slab, then used metal carport over slab for outdoor kitchen.
Heather Luisi
Original Author
last month
Not sure this is for me. I'm looking for more of elegant modern solution.
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You will probably be better off with a nice deck on top and a patio below. I would center the stairs in front of the deck, stairs can be broken up with a landing or done in a few different and having them out of the way, the entire deck surface is being used without wasting to much space. Lots can be done with space in many different ways, but here a simple example how I would start to laying this out just to give you an idea. Good luck
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Thanks all. It is not going up against the house, but rather on the opposite side of the patio by the entertaining area. This has been reviewed by our landscaper/bbq designer, so not sure of the construction issues you mention. The fridge will really just be used for drinks, so mostly be used by guests, which is why we have placed it close to the outside and out of the way of the griller. Patricia Coldwell, I get your point, but that's why we placed the grill as far from the seating as possible. But I've found that even inside my house or when we grill with our standalone right now, everyone wants to chat and hang out next the cooking- maybe my family and friends are weird :) You think the walkways are small? I measured and they are a similar width to inside my kitchen. The counter on the side opposite to the grill is raised so that we can put food there (might not be obvious from the drawing)
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So do you have a BBQ you need in this space . Where is the entry to the patio from the house , like which room is it in? IMo think of the outdoor just like a layout for the indisde. Your BBQ close as possible to the kitchen the eating area as close as possible also to the BBQ just like a kitchen DR combo. The seating space think of it as the LR I find that works best . As for the amont of furniture that really is decided by how much you entertain and how many usually .
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PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last month
L-shape would work
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last month
ok. then you can use less expensive sail shed
chispa
last month
last modified: last month
What is your climate/location?

Will you actually use this outdoor space?

Are you designing for your actual lifestyle or the one you wish you had? We all get swayed by the cool and pretty photos of amazing entertainment space ...

I used to live in LA and we didn't spend that much time on our patio, specially as it faced west. We had a fireplace that we used twice in 10 years.

We built a house in FL and luckily the lot we found allowed us to have our patio/pool face east. Didn't bother with a fireplace (too hot most of the year) and didn't include a TV (also too hot/humid most of the year to sit outside).

I did add 2 water/fire bowls to the pool. The water/fountain part is tied into the pool filtration system and runs at the same time as the filter. The fire part is tied into our underground propane tank and are easily lit with gas lighter. We only use these when we have people over as they are also visible from inside (when it is too hot to be outside).

Most of the patios in FL (called lanai) are under roof to provide a large area with shade. It is the only way to even attempt to use the outdoor spaces. The covered patios are also useful for rainy days.

You have no covered patio area in your design.

Think carefully about what you will really use, as you will have to clean and maintain all those outdoor features.
Heather Luisi
Original Author
last month
We live NY, Long Island suburbs to be exact. We love using our yard and entertain a ton in the fall, spring and summer. Currently we have an 8 seat high top table pinned against our house with a TV sitting on a side table and I run in and out of the house to grab stuff rom the kitchen. Because we're pinned against the house there is more shade.

We were looking to utilize more of our yard, increase the hangout space and get some additional seating. The fireplace was my idea because i'm always cold and thought it would be a beautiful feature and a better place to hang the TV. The only issue (I currently see) with moving away from the house is we lose a lot of shade, which is scary. I would hate to move everything over there and find out the sun is unbearable and an umbrella isn't enough shelter. I tried a few layouts with a pavilion, but because the house and pool aren't aligned it felt awkward.

The fireplace is going to be a gas fireplace and it would face west. Is that bad? if so, can you tell me why?
Heather Luisi
Original Author
last month
@chispa sorry I forgot to @ you to above.
chispa
last month
Facing west in NY won't be as bad as facing west in CA or FL, but it will probably still be too hot in July and August. If you will use it that often, then I think you need to design roofing over some of the space.

Looking for some ideas in Houzz photos ...

Project of the Month: September 2017 · More Info

Elegant Pavilion - Laurel Hollow, NY · More Info

Dix Hills Outdoor Kitchen with Pavilion | Dix Hills, NY 11746 | Masonry-Stone · More Info

You can put retractable shades on a structure like this. We did that on the pergola of our west facing patio and it helped a lot.
Hampton Bays Project · More Info

My shades were similar to this style:

Extended.
Retractable Shades, San Rafael · More Info

Retracted.
Retractable Shades, San Rafael · More Info

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