Here in Jacksonville, I love the extended summer daylight hours and how it cools down to a refreshing temperature in the evening. Spending time outdoors during this time of year is a huge benefit of living here – creating a place to fully enjoy it even more may include the addition of an outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor kitchens have gained in popularity in the past several years because they create more usable living space and create great entertainment areas by using existing outdoor space.

Whether you’re entertaining by spending time with friends or just relaxing alone, being able to spend time in a beautiful outdoor setting in your own backyard is hard to beat. Adding an outdoor kitchen to your new or existing landscape plan is a great way to create a functional and fun gathering place. After all, when entertaining indoors, don’t most people naturally gravitate to the kitchen anyway? Why not make this the case outdoors, too?

When building a new home, remodeling, putting in a pool or just making changes to your existing landscape plan, take time to consider an outdoor kitchen. Features to consider include a fire pit or outdoor fire place, outdoor TV, refrigerator, storage cabinetry, sink, gas grill, covered pergola or canopy, low voltage lighting, and outdoor propane heating units.

Incorporating outdoor design features should entail matching the style of your home and creating an extension of your interior living spaces, consideration of architectural design, function and feel of the kitchen area, and creating the look and feel that matches your unique style, taste and personality.

Adam Haynes is the owner of Artisan Landscapes, Inc. He can be reached at 541.292.3285 or adam@artisanlandscapesinc.com. See also www.artisanlandscapesinc.com