Small outdoor kitchens became a huge trend in 2014 and look to become even more popular in 2015.

1. Small Outdoor Kitchen Planning: 3 Steps From Houston Designer
Small outdoor kitchens became a huge trend in 2014 and look to become even more popular in
2015.
Just ask Houston outdoor designer Wayne Franks, owner of Outdoor Homescapes in Houston.
"The number of clients requesting small-space outdoor kitchens has doubled in the past five years,"
he says. "I especially see it trending up with empty nesters, many of whom are downsizing to patio
homes, condos and urban lofts. Others who want a small outdoor kitchen may have the space for a
larger one, but not the budget - or even the need."
Whatever the reason, many of Franks’ Houston outdoor design clients are overwhelmed when it
comes to planning. They aren’t sure how much space they need, the best way to use it or how to
make different elements work together. That’s where an outdoor living space design pro like Franks
comes in, leading them through the five following steps:
STEP 1: DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO USE THE SPACE
"Some people want to use their small-space outdoor kitchen for entertaining," says Franks. "Others
see it as just a place to cook."
Those who just want to cook, he says, usually end up with a 6- to 8-foot long kitchen island holding
a grill and one or two other extras like a sink, fridge or side burner.
Those who want to entertain, on the other hand, will likely have to add components that just a
cooking area wouldn’t necessarily require – a raised bar and counter seating, for instance. "Many
people don’t realize just how much space they need - even for a small backyard kitchen," says
Franks.
Every appliance, for instance, requires a section of cabinet that’s about 2 ½ to 3 feet wide by 30
inches deep. If you’re going to add a bar, that’s another 18 inches of depth if you want it hold a
standard-sized dinner plate. Then there’s the 18 to 24 inches of hardscaped patio floor space needed
for the chairs or bar stools, plus an additional foot for sliding the chair in and out.
If you’re entertaining, you’re probably also going to want an outdoor audio-visual system for music
and TV. And outdoor TV, in turn, will likely require a large screen because outdoor viewing
distances are typically longer. It will also require a roof or overhead structure to protect it from the
elements and cut down on glare.
STEP 2: DETERMINE THE BEST LOCATION
"A small summer kitchen can be put anywhere, from the typical patio setting to an urban balcony,"
says Franks. "But you have to decide what’s best for you."
Franks typically advises placing a small outdoor kitchen right outside the back door of the house, at
a 90 degree angle to the back wall and preferably close to (or by the window of) an interior kitchen
(for communication between couples simultaneously prepping food inside and outside). However,
sometimes side yards or even front porches turn out to be better sites – or even areas farther away
from the house.
"I typically recommend moving a small outdoor kitchen away from the house if there’s a lot of

2. smoke from a smoker and the site can’t be properly ventilated next to the house," says Franks. "But
sometimes location is just a personal choice, like the one client that wanted me to build a curved
small outdoor kitchen along the edge of a walkway in his backyard."
STEP 3: PERSONALIZE AND TWEAK YOUR DESIGN
"This third step is usually the most gratifying," says Franks. "This is where you get to choose
materials and really hone in on the look you want."
Franks helps clients through this step with a first round of 3D outdoor design renderings and video
tours allowing them to see the project from every angle. After making their revisions, they can view
a second round. "This really helps boost confidence in the project and eliminates surprises."
This step is also where small-space outdoor kitchens can be a plus, since money saved on square
footage can go toward higher-quality materials, accents like a tile mosaic backsplash or more
expensive appliances.
Whatever you choose, Franks recommends a design that smoothly integrates into the existing
architecture, rooflines and materials.
"The goal with any of our Houston outdoor living spaces," he says, "is to make it look like it was
always there – not like a disconnected afterthought."
More information on small outdoor kitchens can be found on Outdoor Homescapes of Houston’s
website, at www.outdoorhomescapes.com