Outdoor kitchens are a haven for making memories with the ones you love, so make sure yours is perfect to host the whole family! Lighting and seating are underrated factors in the design process, but they make a huge difference in the overall ambiance and functionality of a space. Lighting not only brightens the space so you can enjoy your outdoor kitchen beyond sunset, but can also add to the atmosphere by accentuating beautiful landscape features. For seating, you should consider opting for a seating wall instead of standard chairs. Seating walls can be made out of the same materials as your outdoor kitchen for a seamless match. They're permanent structures that you won't need to worry about lugging in and out of storage around the kinds of storms we deal with in Florida. Incorporating both of these factors in your design will elevate your outdoor kitchen from just convenient to downright heavenly!
Outdoor lighting will enhance your outdoor kitchen.
Lighting is important in any space so you can enjoy it into the evening, but for an outdoor kitchen, it can also do a lot for the ambiance of the space. There are several lighting techniques you can utilize to accentuate the most beautiful features of your outdoor kitchen.
Some of our favorite areas to put outdoor lighting:
- Under-countertops: Adding hidden lighting under the countertop that will shine downward gives a beautiful glow and can accentuate the texture of the material below, highlighting shadows and high spots. This is an especially dramatic effect when the material below is a textured stone.
- Above the bar: If you choose to have a bar installed as part of your outdoor kitchen, this area will be perfect for outdoor lighting. By hanging lights over the bar, you will be able to use this area long after the sun has set.
You'll want to opt for LED lights over incandescent lights. With a longer lifespan and higher energy efficiency, LED lights are a win all around!
Seating Walls Are Reliable, Sturdy, & Low Maintenance
When you think of seating, you may first picture typical chairs around a table or counter – but be sure to consider a seating wall. Seating walls are reliable, sturdy structures that you won't need to worry about blowing away or being stolen, much less having storage available for when you need to bring them in during a storm like you would with standard chairs. Because they're so durable, they'll be able to last for years to come and are low maintenance. You won't need to worry about them rusting, cracking, or being faded by the sun.
While highly functional, seating walls can also be made to add design elements to a space. They can be made of the same materials as your outdoor kitchen for a seamless match and can curve around a fire pit or counter to add flow to your outdoor kitchen.
Seating walls can be customized to your style with materials like brick pavers, concrete pavers, and flagstone pavers!
Elevate your outdoor kitchen design with lighting and seating. Call us today to schedule your consultation!
At Tropical Gardens Landscape, we aren't satisfied until we have not only met but exceeded our clients' expectations. Our focus is on developing long-term, trusting relationships from the foundation of our hard work and results. We're honored to have been providing lawn and landscape solutions to Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and nearby areas in Florida for 15 years. We'll leverage our extensive experience in creating stunning seating walls and landscape lighting systems to elevate your outdoor kitchen into the space you've always dreamed of. Call us today at (941) 993-2442 to schedule your consultation!
