Make sure the fridge you buy is a fully outdoor rated appliance. ‘You can’t just put any fridge outdoors,’ says Rebecca from Grillo. 'And you should always use a qualified electrician or gas engineer to test and certify where needed.’ The cardinal rule here is -- Keep it close but keep it separate! The location should be close enough to allow easy access from inside but still far enough away so smoke doesn't waft into your home on those breezy days. Within a few decades, smaller summer kitchens began to appear beside the homes of less-wealthy property owners, outfitted with similar cooking amenities on a reduced scale. These one- or one-and-a-half-story structures were common in New England, upstate New York, and the mid-Atlantic region. In the early 1800s, pioneers brought the idea with them to the Midwest where it caught on with large farm families. These smaller summer kitchens remained common throughout much of the 19th century. Canning foods had become popular, and womenfolk would spend weeks putting up the harvest from extensive gardens and orchards to feed their families during the winter and sell to local stores. When presented with a smaller space it is essential that the kitchen layout ideas are carefully considered to make sure every inch of the kitchen is utilised,’ says Ben from Kitchen Makers.

The structure: You can convert a garage or build a structure. Choose from a traditional one-story wooden barn-style building, or go for a space that matches the siding and style of your home. The island is on many kitchen wish lists as they are full of multi-functional features and act as a divider between the different zones in an open-plan space. They also bring the whole kitchen together and can be hand-painted in another colour for a bold statement. We have built and designed many in our projects across the country. Large summer kitchens built on sizeable plantations and estates were often made from timbers or stones to match the style of the main house, and some featured second-story sleeping quarters for slaves or servants. These kitchens also provided extra room for other activities and chores, such as laundry and sewing, and it wasn’t unusual for them to feature 1,200 square feet or more on the main floor. Many had dirt floors and a few included excavated root cellars for housing root vegetables and canned foods over the winter. The telltale sign of a structure being a summer kitchen was one or more large chimneys rising from the roof.An open fireplace dancing with flames under a starlit canvas adds more than warmth--it kindles stories, sparks nostalgic conversations while injecting an enchanting allure into any outdoor space. There's something fundamentally mesmerizing about fire--the way its unpredictable dance lights up faces, stirring shadows across convivial expressions--that amplifies even ordinary gatherings into memorable occasions. What about materials? You need sturdy materials that can withstand the elements year-round yet are stylish enough to match your aesthetic sense. As summer kitchens exist today, though, they are completely obsolete. As kitchen technology changed, it no longer became necessary to move food preparation—and various unsightly chores—outside of the house. Although it Outdoor Kitchen Expert's Duncan agrees. ‘There’s no one ideal spot, although adjacent to your house makes it easy for amenities, electrics, plumbing, etc. Plus you may already have a patio area, which can cut down on hard landscaping.’ Colour wise for 2023, green will remain very popular from dark greens to subtler shades such as sages will be very popular as we take inspiration from nature and being outside. We’re also seeing a really shift towards warm greys, puttys and barley colours too. The creams and beiges are very popular rather than the colder blues and greys,' says Rebecca Nokes, Head of Design & Brand Creative, John Lewis of Hungerford.

Exotic, earthy dishes, vibrant colours, big flavours. This is real cooking, written about with so much love’ Diana Henry A summer kitchen is a cooking area separate from the main house, designed for preparing meals during warmer months. The role refrigeration plays in a summer kitchen is comparable to an understudy waiting patiently for its moment under the spotlight - underestimated yet indispensable. The unsightly truth most fail to recognize is how poorly managed refrigeration can lead to culinary catastrophes faster than one could burn a piece of toast!

This is an updated version of an article that was originally published on June 13, 2018. The author may not currently be available to respond to comments, however we encourage our Community members to chime in to share their experiences and answer questions! The separate kitchen structures of the mid-Atlantic region, which were used by enslaved workers, also held social significance, as it physically separated the enslaved in a space that often was capped by sleeping quarters in its attic. "The new kitchen architecture [of 18th century Williamsburg, Virginia] suddenly had little to do with cooking and everything to do with gender, race, and social space," writes Michael Olmert, Professor at University of Maryland in his essay "Kitchens: Places Apart." The charisma of your summer kitchen lies in its purposeful design that caters to your specific needs and wants. The design needs to be well thought out, giving due diligence to every inch of space available.

And let's not forget storage solutions--those unassuming cabinets carefully holding your cookware safe from nature's capricious whimsy--these deserve more than just passing consideration! Investing as much thought into storage as one would into aesthetic elements could make all the difference between an efficient workspace or a chaotic mess. Sink & Prep Areas -- Where Culinary Creativity Takes Flight No self-respecting host wants their guests parched under the sun during convivial gatherings. This brings us neatly onto my next insistence - bars & beverage stations - these aren't mere luxury accessories but quite literally life-savers under sweltering heatwaves. To those who think they can slap down some countertops around a grill and call it an effective workspace--please stop! A poorly planned layout can transform your culinary endeavors into chaotic mess rather than symphony of efficiency! The basis for any effective workspace is functionality; this means considering how you cook, what equipment you'll use frequently, storage requirements--the whole nine yards--and then organizing these elements into efficient work zones. Keen to take your al fresco dining to the next level with a summer kitchen? Here at the Marble Store, we supply a fantastic range of hard-wearing surfaces perfect for outdoor use and all at great prices. Why not browse the collection now or for more advice on choosing the right worktop, get in touch with the team?Aside from the fireplace, there may also be a bake oven directly to the right or to the left of the firebox. If you ever come across an older house with a fireplace that has an oven built next to it, chances are that room was once the kitchen of the house. While summer kitchens are primarily found in upstate New York and the Midwest, 18th-century houses in the mid-Atlantic region—like Virginia—often separated the kitchen in a distinct, usually wooden, structure. Unlike summer kitchens of the north, these discrete workspaces were the main kitchens and were used year round rather than seasonally. Whether narrow, square or broken plan, where space is at a premium compact kitchens come to the rescue. More and more, kitchen design looks to benefit from minimal clutter and maximum efficiency. This is especially important if you have a small kitchen. Editor's note: This story was originally published on June 16, 2016. It has been updated with new information.

Brass taps seem to be all the rage,’ says Natalie Holden, ‘Yet other appliances and fittings haven’t quite caught up with these kitchen trends, so it can be a challenge to source matching fittings throughout a scheme.’ From all-singing-all-dancing areas, inclusive of everything you could possibly need (yes, even the kitchen sink!) to more basic, yet still incredibly fun and functional spaces. Summer is here in the UK and it might not be what we were expecting due to COVID-19 but it doesn’t mean we cannot create a handmade kitchen that is perfect for all year round, especially for those longer days and warmer evenings. My grandparents had a fancy one with a dedicated larder, a cool, dry area for storing canned goods and preserves. They also kept squash, root veggies and orchard fruits in there to last through fall and winter. History of Summer KitchensWhat’s more, build an attractive canopy into your design (or just have a large umbrella to hand) and summer kitchens can be enjoyed all year round. Perfect for sizzling sausages on an autumnal night or serving up toasted marshmallows and hot chocs on a cold winter’s day.