Kitchen Design
11 Outdoor Elements for a Durable Indoor Kitchen
Consider brick, natural stone and other exterior-grade materials and elements for a rough-and-tumble space
To withstand rain, snow, sunshine and whatever else Mother Nature has to offer, outdoor materials and furnishings are made to be durable. Which makes them perfect for bringing inside to a busy and bustling kitchen. Here are 11 tough and tested outdoor elements to consider for your remodel.
2. Textured pavers. Requiring a bit more upkeep than perfectly smooth concrete, textured pavers are a more rustic flooring option that still bring an exterior vibe to a kitchen. This is a super durable material that also can be an affordable one. Just be sure to check with the manufacturer or retailer about the best way to seal the pavers from the inevitable food and drink spills.
3. Brick. I’m seeing more and more brick being used as an interior cladding material. Exposed brick has enjoyed a long stretch as a popular design element, but brick and brick veneer now comes in a variety of interesting colors, sizes and textures for new installations.
One kitchen, pictured, continues the line of brick from the outside in, which really amps up the connection to the exterior. Another kitchen, shown here, features a couple of different brick applications. I especially love the white-painted brick pavers arranged in a herringbone pattern on the floor.
One kitchen, pictured, continues the line of brick from the outside in, which really amps up the connection to the exterior. Another kitchen, shown here, features a couple of different brick applications. I especially love the white-painted brick pavers arranged in a herringbone pattern on the floor.
4. River rocks. For the avid hikers out there, think about bringing a beloved feature of your nature hikes inside to enjoy year-round every day. River rocks come in wonderful earth-toned neutrals — from soft tans and grays to darkest charcoal — and they bring a soothing organic vibe to the kitchen. You can affix mesh-backed sheets of them to the floor or wall, such as was done for the backsplash, pictured, or keep it loose, as a decorative detail.
5. Natural stone. Often when I help clients choose options for interior and exterior colors, I’ll inquire about their favorite outdoor pursuits. Those who tell me they’d rather be lounging on the beach or poolside tend to go for cool, watery hues or sunny yellows and soft, sandy golds.
For landlubbers who’d rather be rock-climbing or trekking up mountains, I’ll recommend earthy neutrals such as rich taupes and warm gray hues pulled from natural stone. And if I’m also helping the homeowner select materials, I’ll recommend natural, rough-hewn stone itself, which brings incredible texture in addition to sublime colors.
For landlubbers who’d rather be rock-climbing or trekking up mountains, I’ll recommend earthy neutrals such as rich taupes and warm gray hues pulled from natural stone. And if I’m also helping the homeowner select materials, I’ll recommend natural, rough-hewn stone itself, which brings incredible texture in addition to sublime colors.
6. Exterior-grade lighting. Good lighting is key in the kitchen, and you can help bring the outdoors in through your fixture selection. Go clean and modern with simple porchlight-style wall sconces, or add character with vintage-industrial style gooseneck wall sconces.
7. Outdoor-style furniture. One of my favorite ways to introduce an outdoor vibe to interior spaces is through furniture. A sturdy picnic table adds a fun, whimsical touch to an eat-in kitchen. Each meal takes on an air of leisure time at your favorite park.
Or allow yourself the indulgence of imagining you are relaxing outside at a lovely little Parisian sidewalk cafe. A cafe table and chairs set is an especially good option for those short on space, as it takes up very little of it. It’s also super easy to move around, including outside, as desired.
Wicker is another furniture style that lends an outdoor feeling to an indoor space. These dining chairs here add an appealing warmth and casual outdoorsy vibe to this elegant kitchen.
8. Exterior-grade metals. Metals meant to withstand the great outdoors can add a nice contemporary, industrial touch to an indoor kitchen. The corrugated metal accent wall in one kitchen contrasts nicely with the more rustic elements in the space. The exposed metal roofing material shown in another kitchen is pure cool contemporary.
9. Indoor-outdoor rugs. What I lack in grace I more than make up for with exuberance when cooking in my kitchen. This is most evident by the status of my kitchen floor at the end of each cooking session. For this reason I’m not a fan of fussy, high-maintenance rugs in the kitchen. Indoor-outdoor rugs are perfect here. You can toss them in the wash or hose them off outside whenever a deep cleaning is needed. They also tend to come in bold, bright colors and fun patterns, which I find appealing and reminiscent of good times spent outside.
10. Exterior doors as functional decor. Sliding barn doors have been hot inside homes for what seems like eons now, and I am still on board with this trend, especially when interesting exterior doors get repurposed, such as this vintage screen door set here. Use them for your kitchen pantry or to create a hybrid open-closed kitchen.
11. Interior windows. We tend to associate windows with connecting our indoor spaces to the outdoors. By using them to connect two interior spaces, you can give the impression of an outdoor connection even when there isn’t one. Use an interior transom window, as is pictured here, to bring more light into interior rooms. Or go for drama with floor-to-ceiling windows. This is also a great way to give a bit of separation in an open-plan space.
More: 8 Ways to Remodel Your Kitchen to Get an Outdoor Vibe
More: 8 Ways to Remodel Your Kitchen to Get an Outdoor Vibe
Detractors dislike how hard it is and how it can have a cold, institutional vibe, but you can mitigate and balance this with rugs and other soft and warm elements.