Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JULY 2023 32 A S S O C I AT I O N [ N E W S ] O utdoor kitchens are now becoming a standard in luxury homes – and according to NKBA's recently released 2023 Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Report, demand is increasing for this high-growth category, creating a great opportunity for designers to expand their expertise and create beautiful outdoor spaces, while providing clients with a high return on their investment. Designing for the outdoors requires as much attention to detail as designing interior spaces – and it has its own unique set of obstacles. In this article we'll highlight the top findings from NKBA's Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Report, including how to define the outdoor kitchen, which interior design processes and principles can transfer, the differences between indoor and outdoor kitchens, and more. The designers who took part in NKBA's Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Report survey agreed that designing a luxury outdoor living space is defined by the following concepts: • Designing an outdoor environment that creates memorable experi- ences through a focus on cooking, relaxing and entertaining activities. • Creating harmony between the outdoor kitchen and the rest of the home, enabling a seamless transition between the interior to the exterior space. This can be accomplished through coordinating materials, surfaces and colors, as well as including outdoor furniture and fabrics to enable beautiful "interior-like" softness outside that brings the comfort of the indoors to the outdoors. Designers can also incorporate fixtures and finishes that effortlessly allow rooms to open out into and merge with the outdoor area. • Elevating the outdoor area with high-quality countertops, cabinetry, and materials specifically designed for the outdoors, as well as specifying materials and prioritizing durability and fabrication. • Including luxury amenities in the design that go beyond convenience, giving the space a custom quality, such as premium appliances, layered lighting, audio/video, and other "wow" design features. GREAT NEWS FOR DESIGNERS: MANY INTERIOR DESIGN PROCESSES AND PRINCIPLES TRANSFER Many of the processes and principles used in indoor kitchen design are transferable to outdoor kitchen design, making the luxury outdoor kitchen category highly accessible to anyone with prior kitchen design experience. Some of these parallel processes and principles include: • A deep understanding of the client's needs and how they entertain. This involves thoughtful consideration of functionality, flow of space and aesthetic, adequate storage, washing, prep, cooking, serving, and easy clean-up. • Building and coordinating a team of specialists. Find the right vendors and coordinate the right order of operations (designers just may need HED: THE INS AND OUTS OF DESIGNING THE LUXURY OUTDOOR KITCHEN Design: Larry Rych, Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc., Brookfield, IL Design: Matt Herbert, Sherwood Outdoor Kitchens, North Vancouver, BC Design: Nar Bustamante, Nar

• Cover