Sometimes it actually is possible to have your cake and eat it, too. In other words, you can design the outdoor kitchen of your dreams and still stick to your budget.
How? There are several ways to cut costs on your outdoor kitchen project, and it's not by cutting corners. We have better ideas — 5 in fact — that will help you design your dream outdoor kitchen on a budget you actually follow.
Install a fire pit instead of a fireplace.
You can get a fire pit for a few hundred dollars. Building a fireplace from the ground up is much more expensive.
Since one of your goals on this budget-friendly kitchen project is to end up with your dream outdoor living space, you don't want to throw out the idea of fire altogether. Instead, postpone the fireplace idea, and use a fire pit for now. You can always tackle the fireplace later if you're still envisioning it completing your space.
Use salvaged materials where possible.
Do you have access to salvaged materials? If not, maybe you know someone who does. Think of friends who are in the process of remodeling their homes or who work in construction. These people are likely to have a lot of things lying around that they've already decided are junk.
As long as you offer to pay for the materials, it never hurts to ask. The small amount of money you'll pay for salvaged materials won't even come close to what you'd pay for something new. In the end, salvaged items usually have a lot more character anyway.
Opt for a ceiling fan, not a chandelier.
Chandeliers may look great in outdoor kitchens, but they're also one of the most expensive light fixtures you'll ever find. Ceiling fans are much more affordable and useful. Not only do they provide light without the jaw-dropping price tag, but they also provide a nice breeze, keep the bugs away and diffuse smoke from your grill.
Read >> Should I Install a Ceiling Fan in My Outdoor Kitchen?
Once you've made a practical design decision like installing a ceiling fan, use decor to dress it up. For example, hang patio lights, and no one will even notice the ceiling fan because they'll be loving the sparkle and shine that a string of lights brings to the space.
Choose one item to splurge on.
Give yourself permission to "go all out" on at least one upscale item. It might be granite countertops or a custom grill. Whatever it is, make that item the thing that makes your kitchen pop and turns your outdoor living space into something you're really proud of.
Don't buy cheap.
Just because you're treating yourself to one upscale item does not mean that everything else in your outdoor kitchen should be bottom shelf. Buying the cheapest materials and appliances is a bad strategy for staying within your project budget. You'll end up paying more in repairs in just a few years — perhaps even months — than you would have spent buying better quality products in the first place.
Let's design your outdoor kitchen!
We're here to help you design an outdoor kitchen that you and your budget will love. Give us a call at (888) 747-4554 (that’s 888-7-GRILL-IT), or contact us online. We'll visit your home and conduct a free consultation to get started. Ready when you are!
