5 Ideas for a Middletown, RI Outdoor Kitchen That Include Expert Masonry

When you design and build out your outdoor kitchen, using expert masonry will always enhance an already cherished structure. Beyond altering the layout and style of the outdoor kitchen, there are plenty of ways to use additional features and make the space even more dynamic. Don’t sleep on the many ways that you can improve your outdoor lifestyle and dining at your home with gorgeous masonry. Here are four ideas for a Middletown, RI outdoor kitchen that include expert masonry.

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Styles: The Island

The kitchen island has been successfully used in indoor kitchen design for many years. This design really excels in opening up a space and making it feel interactive. The island design works very well in both oval-shaped and rectangular applications. Designate one side of the island kitchen for food and drink preparation and cooking, then add bar seats to the other side to provide an excellent view for those that are getting hungry.

The island design typically doesn’t include many vertical elements beyond the counter surface, so the masonry should instead be focused on building a structure that can house plenty of storage on the cooking side, and present an attractive facade on the public side.

Styles: The L-Shape and the U-Shape

These two kitchen designs provide much different feels in the flow of an outdoor kitchen. An L-shaped outdoor kitchen can be arranged with the shorter side as the food prep/cooking space and the longer side for seating. A U-shaped outdoor kitchen provides even counter space as well as seating space but you’ll need a bigger patio to accommodate it.

Styles: The Galley

A great addition to a galley outdoor kitchen is a mini vertical garden built from masonry. This space takes advantage of stone blocks and space for small planters. It can house any kind of smaller plant you like such as flowers, succulents, or grasses for texture. However, the best use of a vertical garden will be a culinary one. Use your vertical garden for growing herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and other delicious additions to your meals.

In all of these outdoor kitchen designs, there is plenty of opportunity for creating vertical interest with masonry. In addition to artistically designed kitchen walls, you could add a mini fire table or even a fountain at the junction between each countertop/seating area or at the ends. This unique touch is sure to be a conversation-starter.

You could also integrate the outdoor kitchen into a retaining wall, giving it a more permanent feel. Depending on the height of the retaining wall, it could house potted plants along its top; or built-in seating to help create a less cluttered dining space.

Kitchen Amenities: Lounge Seating Area and Outdoor Fireplace

Whoever wants to spend time in your outdoor living space is also going to want a place to sit back and relax. Seat walls next to your outdoor kitchen will make up a wonderful lounge space to chat and wait for the meal to arrive. Include an outdoor fireplace in this lounge area to provide substantial warmth and ambient light for your waiting guests. You can even include the outdoor fireplace in your outdoor kitchen design and pump out delicious pizzas using a separate wood-fired chamber. The outdoor fireplace is as customizable as your outdoor kitchen using a variety of masonry materials, artistic inlays, accents and borders, and features such as integrated lighting.

Related: Here Are 5 Ways a Mason Can Make Your Outdoor Kitchen Stand Out in Middletown, RI