Summer kitchen: types, photos and design ideas

Features of the choice of location

Whether it's a closed kitchen or an open one, you can't just take it and build it on any free space. To make it convenient to use it in the future, consider the following factors:

• Install a summer kitchen in the garden as close to the home as possible, but away from the toilet, septic tank, barn, dog house, compost pits and the road;
• remove flammable elements from the summer kitchen with a stove or barbecue - hay, firewood, and the like;
• build a summer kitchen in the country house, if possible, in the shade of trees - this way it will be more comfortable to cook and dine on a hot day;
• take care of the proximity of the necessary communications - water supply, sewerage, electricity;
• consider the direction of the wind when determining the location for the hearth, so as not to smoke the dining area.

In the photo, the cooking area in the form of an extension

The choice of location also depends on the type and design of the summer kitchen - will the building be detached or adjacent to the main building? Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.

From the barbecue in a detached summer kitchen in the country, smoke and smell does not enter the house, which means your things will not smell like soot. But it will be possible to equip such a summer kitchen only on a spacious plot.

The adjoining one will be cheaper, because at least one of the walls is already there. Plus, you don't have to go far to prepare breakfast or lunch. Of the minuses - extraneous odors penetrating into bedrooms and living rooms.

In the photo, a summer kitchen in the form of a grill house

Types of kitchens

Summer buildings are of 3 types: closed, combined and open. Let's consider each in more detail.

Open summer kitchen

Open kitchens are called gazebos, patios or terraces without walls (all or part), sometimes without a roof. Open summer kitchens are not insulated, so it will be comfortable to spend time here only on a fine summer day. The obvious design benefits include cost and time savings during construction. Disadvantages - the inability to protect furniture and equipment from natural disasters, animals and insects. For the same reason, all equipment will have to be brought into a warm room for the winter.

Pictured is a cozy backyard space with a stove

Closed summer kitchen

Gated kitchens include a veranda or grill house. This is a capital building (or an extension), with walls, a roof, windows, insulation and sometimes even heating. In fact, this is an ordinary house with only one room.

The obvious advantage of a closed summer kitchen is weather independence. Even in the rain and wind, you can comfortably cook and eat. In addition, electrical equipment is placed here without fear that it will fail. Therefore, if you want a full-fledged warm summer kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, stove, dishwasher, TV - this type of building is for you. The main disadvantage of the solution is its high cost.

In the photo there is a summer kitchen with an oven and a grill

Combined

The design of such a summer kitchen includes a covered and free area.The closed area houses the cooking area with appliances, countertops and cabinets. And the dining table and seating area are in the fresh air. It is more difficult to design a combined structure, but it will cost less than a one-piece enclosed space.

How to make a thoughtful layout?

A summer kitchen in a country house should meet the same requirements as a standard kitchen room: convenience, ergonomics, functionality. Therefore, the rule of the working triangle will come in handy here.

Most often, cabinets in the interior of a summer kitchen are located in one row or corner. With a straight layout, it is most convenient to install the sink in the center, and on the sides - a refrigerator and a stove (oven or barbecue). To make the cooking process even more convenient, add a mobile island to the linear headset. For a corner arrangement, the rules are the same: the sink is most often done in the corner, the refrigerator is on one side, the stove is on the other.

If your main cooking area is an outdoor barbecue or barbecue, move the work area closer to the exit door. In the depths, there will be a place for storage, dining table or relaxation space.

The dining area has its own layout rules. First, move it 2 to 3 meters away from open flames so that smoke, ash and heat during frying do not spoil the feeling of dinner. Secondly, everything you need for serving is better placed in it, and not in the workspace. This way the people who cook and set the table will not interfere with each other.

In the photo there are brick walls in the summer kitchen

The layout of the summer kitchen also includes proper lighting. Do not forget that this is primarily a cooking room, so the light should be bright here. It is good if the summer kitchen with large windows - in the daytime you will save on electricity. But in the evening, one central chandelier will not work. Highlight each zone separately:

• LED strip or spotlights over the working area;
• table or pendant lamps above the dining table.

The brazier also needs lighting, otherwise, when frying a kebab at dusk, you will not be able to understand the degree of its readiness. A street lamp is suitable for this, hang or place it near the barbecue.

To illuminate the approach, place solar-powered lanterns along the paths. They will self-charge, turn on and off.

In the photo there is a dining area in an open gazebo

Interior finishing options

The design of a summer kitchen in the country primarily depends on the taste preferences of the owners. But there are certain pairing rules that will allow you to give style to your summer kitchen. First of all, pay attention to the building materials:

• A brick summer kitchen matches perfectly with stone, brick or concrete finishes. Countertops made of artificial stone, a brick oven or a barbecue area look harmonious.
• If the walls of the summer kitchen are made of wood, they are finished with clapboard, timber or materials with imitation of natural texture.

In the photo is a bright summer kitchen with a wood-burning stove

Let's move on to finishing individual areas.

Floor. Special requirements are imposed on its strength and reliability, therefore, the main materials are:

• Terrace board. Stronger and more durable than ordinary wood.
• Street tiles. But you need a solid foundation.
• Ceramic tile. More suitable for enclosed spaces.

In open structures, it is good to make a floor with a slight slope, so that after the rain there are no puddles, and the water simply flows off.

Walls. Most often, standard or painted lining, plastic panels are used for repairs. In warm houses, wallpaper is suitable for wall decoration.

Ceiling. To finish it in a wooden structure, it is enough to walk on the boards with varnish or paint for protection. In concrete and brick buildings, it is also advisable to use simple boards - they are environmentally friendly and emphasize the surrounding environment.

In the photo, the interior decoration of the summer kitchen with wood

Choosing and arranging furniture

Do not put standard upholstered furniture in cold rooms. Foam rubber easily gets wet and absorbs moisture from the surrounding air, so your sofa or chair will not last long. It is better to purchase models made of rattan, wood or plastic - they put soft cozy pillows that can be brought into the house at least every evening. Another advantage of this furniture for a summer kitchen is mobility. If necessary, you can easily move or even transfer it from place to place.

As for the kitchen set, the most practical and durable option is metal. Such modules are installed in restaurants or cafes. Interior items made of stainless steel are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use - in the yard.

Often the countertop and storage areas are made stationary: made of concrete, stone or brick. This option is also appropriate, but doing it with your own hands requires certain skills.

If within the suburban area there is a pond, a beautiful flower bed and other "natural attractions", install a bar counter with a view of them. The same technique is used when the barbecue area is located outside the territory of the summer kitchen construction. Thus, those sitting at the bar will be able to calmly communicate with people at the barbecue.

In the case when you have a small main house and there is no place to accommodate guests for the night, placing a sofa in the summer kitchen at the dacha would be a good solution. In the daytime, it is convenient to relax or have lunch on it, and at night your family or friends can sleep comfortably.

What equipment can you equip?

If during the construction of the summer kitchen you made it closed, supplied electricity and running water to it, there are no restrictions in the choice of equipment.

Be sure to install a refrigerator so you don't have to shuttle between her and your home. Long term stays may require a microwave oven, dishwasher, and small appliances (such as a mixer or juicer).

In the photo, equipment for cooking outdoors

The most important question is the choice of the hearth. Of course, you can get by with an ordinary gas or electric stove, but nothing beats cooking on an open fire in the summer. Therefore, in addition to or instead of a stove, a brazier, grill or oven is used.

Any of the options is easiest to install in an open area, and not inside the room, especially if the summer kitchen is small. So you don't have to design a special foundation, a chimney, change the shape of the roof to a pitched one. But in a closed room, a wood-burning stove or fireplace also acts as an additional heating, so it is possible to save money on an internal hearth.

In the photo, a summer kitchen in country style

What décor and curtains are best for you?

The design of the summer kitchen inside depends not only on the decoration, but also on the decor. The safest option is natural motives. Place fresh flowers or bouquets, hang garlands of onions, garlic and peppers, set modern wooden figurines or vases with floral designs.

Textiles will add home comfort to the space. Cover the table with a nice but practical tablecloth. Hang up nice towels and oven mitts. The most important thing is the curtains. In darkened areas, they can be abandoned altogether, even for panoramic windows - this way you will be closer to nature. Hang Roman or roll curtains on the sunny side, unlike curtains, they get dirty less and look more laconic.

Design ideas

The design of a summer kitchen can be completely different. Here are 4 ideas for a summer kitchen in the country or in the countryside:

• use two wood colors - dark natural and light colored to add dynamics to the interior of your summer kitchen;
• plant climbing plants next to the supports of the open terrace, they will become a wonderful natural decoration;

• hang open shelves over cabinets to add rustic charm
• cover the area near the stove with mini tiles with Moroccan patterns, this will give a special charm to the whole room.

Photo gallery

We showed the best real examples of a summer kitchen and told all the subtleties of its arrangement. We hope, thanks to the advice, you will be able to create the space of your dreams!