Belly Up to the (Kitchen) Bar
It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, right? Why shouldn’t that “somewhere” be your own backyard? One of the hottest new trends for the spring and summer is to install a kitchen bar for your outdoor enjoyment. And no, this isn’t just for mixing cocktails and serving up margaritas, this is an all-purpose mini version of your standard kitchen, meant for all your outdoor dining needs. Plus, it’s the perfect way to enhance patios, yards and outdoor spaces.
You can go from basic to over-the-top elaborate with this one, but if you don’t have tons of cash to sink into a large bar space at the moment, start with the basics. Every kitchen bar should have at least a small fridge for ice, fruit, bottles of water, dips, desserts—you get the picture. If you want to expand on this, a designated beer and wine fridge is ideal.
Next, you’ll want to make sure you have an area for grilling, outdoor lighting, preferably a sink with running water and cabinetry for storing drinkware and plates. Aside from the bar itself, bar stools are absolutely essential.
Stamped concrete, washed aggregate, salt-finished concrete or precast pavers are all great flooring choices. These are also durable and affordable. When making your selection, keep in mind a material that can hold up to the elements and also won’t become slick when wet.