Custom Outdoor Kitchen with RCS Grill, Double Side burner, Refrigerator and Sink

Your Guide to Designing Your Outdoor Kitchen in Houston

An outdoor kitchen is a sizable investment of both time and money for most people. However, it’s worth it! Setting up an outdoor entertaining area gives you endless possibilities for parties, business gatherings, or even family nights in the backyard.

But before you can start enjoying your new outdoor cooking space, you need to decide how you want it to look, what you’ll be using it for, and what you’re willing to spend. Still in the brainstorming stage? Here are a few key considerations to help you figure out exactly what you want out of the newest addition to your backyard.

Designing a new outdoor kitchen? Have you finalized your ideas yet? Learn how to design your new kitchen here! #Creekstone #backyardlife Share on X

Style

Like any type of home design, outdoor kitchen trends change with time. But certain stylistic choices, like stainless steel appliances, never quite seem to go out of style. And a refrigerator works just fine no matter what it looks like!

Two of the best recent trends for outdoor kitchens are built-in ice makers and kamado-style grills like Big Green Egg, grills that close completely over the cooking food to produce a deep, smoky flavor. And of course, the convenience of having freshly made ice right next to your outdoor fridge can’t be overstated. These trendy choices do more than just make your kitchen look great! They can also make your whole experience more convenient and simpler.

Practicality

Of course, appearances aren’t everything. Since you’ll be cooking and hosting in your outdoor hangout space, you have to consider how well your design choices will work with what you’ll be doing. For instance, consider your outdoor kitchen’s countertops. Materials such as marble may look gorgeous, but without expert sealing and ongoing maintenance, they could be ruined by Houston rain or humidity. Most designers also don’t recommend them for kitchen use because marble is extremely porous, making stain prevention difficult. (Marble tiles, on the other hand, are specially formulated for kitchen use and are fine for an outdoor kitchen. Talk to your designer for details.)

The bottom line is simply that your kitchen must be equally functional as elegant. While you can certainly go for both–a completely utilitarian kitchen is boring, after all–you must take the time to consider how well your choices will work in an outdoor setting.

Pro Tip: As you design your outdoor kitchen, consider any potential future renovations you want to make and how to make them easier. You won’t want to have to pull up your new tile floor to install new pipes for a pool, for instance.

Budget

Finally, it’s time to look at your budget. This will vary depending on the materials you choose, the appliances you need, the square footage your outdoor kitchen will cover, and more. Consequently, you can’t simply estimate the base cost of an outdoor kitchen without a semi-detailed plan of what you want. The best approach to budget planning is browsing our gallery for inspiration and bringing your ideas to an expert to discuss cost options.

Enjoy Your New Outdoor Kitchen!

A lot of planning goes into designing the perfect outdoor kitchen and party space. But all that time will be worth it in the end. You can look forward to enjoying a brand new custom outdoor kitchen and making your friends jealous!

Join the conversation to find inspiration and more outdoor kitchen ideas.

Custom Outdoor Kitchen and Cabana by Creekstone Outdoor Living in Houston Texas

Design Trends for a Swimming Pool You’ll Use All Summer

If you are thinking of renovating your backyard space and pool, or if you are about to have a pool installed for the first time, there is no better time than now. Updating your backyard space now allows you to have the work completed in time to enjoy your swimming pool all summer long. If you want to take your outdoor space and pool to the next level, you’ll want to make sure to pull in some of this year’s top design trends. Tired of your outdated backyard? These 6 swimming pool design trends will turn your outdoor space into your new family room! Share on X

Which Design Trends Will Create an Outdoor Oasis You’ll Enjoy All Summer Long?

It’s easy to create an outdoor oasis and swimming pool that you and your family will enjoy all summer long. With sunning shelves, a fire pit, and luscious landscaping and lighting, your backyard will be transformed from boring to beautiful in no time.

  1. Dark Color Pool Interior
  2. Custom Pool Shape
  3. Sunning Shelves
  4. Swim Up Bar
  5. Landscaping and Lighting
  6. Fire Pits and Places

1) Dark Color Pool Interior

A stunning new trend is the use of darker colored pool interiors. Pool interiors coated in azures and cobalt blues lend themselves to a lagoon-like effect: deep, dark, and soothing. These darker colors are welcoming and luxurious and make your backyard the perfect place to hang out all summer long.

2) Custom Pool Shape

These days, pools can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and when you choose to get a custom pool, you can help add personality to your outdoor living space. When choosing the shape of your pool, consider your lot size and available space, your budget, whether it meets safety codes, your home’s architectural style, sun exposure, as well as how you will use the pool.

3) Sunning Shelves

Sunning shelves are some of the most popular design trends for swimming pools. Tanning shelves are great to lounge, relax and keep you refreshed on a hot Texan day. Sunning ledges are a great to place gushers and create a splash pad for the kids, too.

4) Swim Up Bar

If your pool is a regular spot for celebration and get-togethers, then adding a swim-up bar is certainly the perfect addition! Usually, you only see these in the hotels and resorts – but imagine having one in your own pool.

ProTip: With a swim up bar, you can have drinks and snacks at the ready without having to leave the water. Just swim right up, have a seat, and unwind.

5) Landscaping and Lighting

There is nothing better than nice landscaping around the pool. Some of the benefits of having landscaping around your pool include having better oxygenation in the surrounding area and having an avid display of colors. Be sure to choose plants that will thrive in your climate and illuminate them with LED or other landscaping lights to help turn your outdoor space into an outdoor oasis.

6) Fire Pits and Places

No matter what type of look or atmosphere you’re trying to create, there’s one swimming pool trend that always seems to be on the top of the list: fire. Fire is lighting in one of it’s most natural forms and creates a wonderful ambiance and warmth to your swimming pool area. Choose from a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace for the perfect place to spend all summer long.

Swimming Pool Design Trends

Vamp up your backyard retreat with a custom swimming pool design. With the addition of the above swimming pool design trends, your backyard will be the place everyone will want to be–all summer long.

Join the conversation and learn the top pool design trends that will have your spending all your days and nights in your pool and outside oasis.