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Quick and Easy Outdoor Kitchen Upgrades this Summer
www.NorthgateLivingCA.com @NorthgateLivingCA #NorthgateLivingCA
By Gordon Reese, Gordon Reese Design Build, Resident since 2008
When the weather starts getting warmer and the days longer, it’s time to move to the outdoor kitchen and fire up the grill.
To fully enjoy your outdoor kitchen, give it a summer upgrade. Three simple suggestions can make your outdoor kitchen pop! this summer.
ADD SPLASHES OF PAINT
Nothing celebrates summer more than a fresh coat of cheery yellow or sky-blue paint. Painting your cabinets, toe kicks, or drawer handles—can give your kitchen a fresh new look.
It’s simple, cost-effective, and can be done in a day. All you pay for is the paint … and maybe a professional.
USE PENDANTS AND FAERIE LIGHTS
One of the best ways to add depth and decoration to a space is to layer your lights. Choose two or three types of lights that complement each other.
Pendant lights go with practically every other type of light, fluorescent bulbs, incandescent bar lights, wall sconces ... Hang two or three in the middle of your outdoor kitchen to spotlight the center or hang them in a row to frame the area.
Alternatively, you can use faerie lights to give a rustic and festive look. Wrap them around pillars or columns to brighten up your night. Use a sunset tone (red, orange, yellow) to foster a laid back mood.
STYLISH SUCCULENTS
Succulents are eye-catching plants and, depending on what they are and where you put them, they can tie a room together or act as complements or contrasts to your décor.
For instance, chrome-and-steel kitchens are more inviting when there’s a row of succulents for a centerpiece. Colorful and homey kitchens become even cozier with succulents doting the walls (via floating shelves or cabinets). And simple, minimalist kitchens look fresher and more vibrant with several succulents placed strategically in corners.
For your outdoor kitchen, succulents can add a pop of green that works perfectly with your yard. Even better, succulents are great additions for any season—not just summer. And if succulents don’t work for you, trying little hanging plants or small decorative pots housing tiny flowering plants.
