Got company coming? Your patio can be a great space to entertain guests, cook food together, or just relax around the fire. With summer just around the corner, it’s a great time to take another look at your own back patio. Whether you’re creating an outdoor kitchen for the first time or looking for some modern upgrades, we’ve got you covered. Here are the updated outdoor kitchen trends for 2023.
Bring the Heat
The Fire Magic prefab island puts 5 cutting-edge appliances all in one place! Image courtesy of firemagicstore.com
What would an outdoor kitchen be without appliances? This year, the latest in outdoor cooking is all about new technology. First, there’s Fire Magic’s new line of luxury grills. This line has been recognized as top of its class in the industry for its large cooking area, backlit knobs for increased visibility, and extra features. With a built-in charcoal smoker basket and an optional “magic view” window to see your food as it cooks, the 2023 Fire Magic grills are hard to beat this year.
Fire Pits
This TIKI Brand fire pit heats your space with maximum combustion for a smokeless experience! Image courtesy of tikibrand.com
During those chilly summer nights, there’s nothing that draws people in more than a nice, warm firepit. For 2023, the newest firepits are all about innovation. In the world of traditional firepits, TIKI Brand came out with a smokeless firepit. It still burns wood logs, but it’s designed for high combustion – meaning you’ll get minimal smoke! Their patio fireplace heats up to a four-foot radius, and also comes with a removable ash pan for easy cleanup.
Image courtesy of Endless Summer Heat
But, if wood burning isn’t your thing, propane fire pits are also back for 2023. One modern design trend for propane fire pits is a top with beautiful fire glass, like this one from Endless Summer Heat. This firepit has built-in storage, too – the propane tank fits right into the interior cabinet under the table. Plus, lighting this firepit is a breeze – all you have to do is push and turn, and you’ll spark the electronic ignition.
Mind Your Materials
Black faucets like this one are big for 2023. Image courtesy of bathtrendsusa.com
Regardless of current trends, one thing to keep in mind when designing an outdoor kitchen is durability. Outdoor kitchens have to withstand weather conditions year-round, from blazing summers to freezing winters. So, in the past outdoor kitchens have been made out of durable materials like stainless steel, stone, and concrete.
This year, however, some materials have fallen out of fashion. While stone and concrete are still on trend, you can expect to see less stainless steel in the years to come. Instead, matte black finishes and darker metals are on the table.
This Cosentino countertop is made of Dekton, a durable material that can withstand extreme weather. Image courtesy of cosentino.com
One newer, durable material for an outdoor kitchen is Dekton. It’s made to be resistant to high temperatures and bad weather conditions like hail, wind, and frost. Not only that, it’s also stain-resistant and impact-resistant. In fact, Dekton can also be used for outdoor flooring!
Add a Pop of Color
This patio set from Orange-Casual combines color and comfort for a cozy patio feel. Image courtesy of Orange-Casual
2023 is going to be big for color, from accents to main features. One design option for your outdoor kitchen is to incorporate colored furniture for your seating or dining area. For example, colorful cushions, blankets, and throw pillows all work together to give this patio set from Orange-Casual a cozy, stylish feel.
But, color’s not limited to seating and décor this year. Thanks to new products like Konkretus, you can have color in your fixtures, too! Konkretus specifically has come out with a line of farmhouse and other concrete sinks in many different colors.
The Kohler WasteLAB’s Abstra Collection tiles are handcrafted from nearly 100% recycled waste materials. Image courtesy of annsacks.com
You can also add color to your outdoor kitchen with tiling. This year, though, tiles have gotten a lot more sustainable. Kohler WasteLAB is a lab that is developing new, sustainable practices for Kohler. One of their recent projects has been the Abstra Collection – a set of tiles made from nearly 100% recycled waste materials. It evokes the appearance of carved clay, giving any space a more textured look.
Outdoor cabinets are one other way to add color to your space. NatureKast cabinets like these ones work great to add some color to your patio, without sacrificing the durability that you’ll need in an outdoor kitchen. They make cabinets in natural colors like raven ash, as well as vibrant colors like cobalt blue, nutmeg, ember orange, hunter green, seafoam, and more!
Key Takeaways
So there you have it! 2023 is shaping up to be all about colorful, stone, and matte aesthetics. Sustainability is coming into the forefront of design with brands like Kohler increasing their recycled inventory as well, which we predict will become an even bigger movement in the future.
Regardless of the trends, though, make sure you always check appliances and furniture for outdoor durability before you buy them. Even in an enclosed space like a pergola, your outdoor kitchen will still have to stand up against forces like winds and extreme temperatures. Overall, it always helps to get an expert’s eye on your build to make sure everything’s in order. You can always reach out to our team at HArts Design+Build – we’d be happy to help with your outdoor kitchen!
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