Extend your living space with an outdoor kitchen
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - ALL SHORES - The demand for outdoor kitchens is heating up on Staten Island as the sluggish economy forces families to spend more time entertaining at home.Five years ago, outdoor kitchens were rarely heard of here, according to Michael Murphy, owner of the Outdoor Design Center on Castleton Avenue in West Brighton. But over the past year, the demand has skyrocketed, he said.
"People are spending more money on their homes rather than taking elaborate vacations," Murphy said. "They want to make investments in their homes that will increase the resale value later on when they can sell."
At its most minimal, an outdoor kitchen can consist of a grill, work surface, and dining area, but additional amenities can maximize its use and appeal, he said.
An outdoor refrigerator allows you to keep cold food and beverages right next to the grill or pool area. A side burner is another handy option – you can grill kabobs and boil corn without having to run back and forth to the house. And when it's time to fill pots or wash hands, a sink and faucet are welcome amenities.
When it comes to features, homeowners are tailoring their spaces to their lifestyles and including little luxuries, Murphy said. Cooks are adding ice-makers, pizza ovens, teppanyaki grills, outdoor rotisseries, and smokers.
"Another popular item is a 'kegerator,' a cold tap for a beer keg, and granite is the top choice by customers for countertops," he said.
If you plan on using your kitchen year round, you might want to consider an overhang to shelter the area from rain, he said. Overhead lighting and a firepit can create a comfortable atmosphere, even on chilly days. Some also opt to install weatherproof televisions and speakers.
"When entertaining a big crowd, outdoor kitchens allow you to keep everyone outside, and let you to mingle with your guests while cooking, to be a part of the party," Murphy said.
Homeowners are also spending their hard-earned dollars on decks and stone paver patios, he noted. "For the decks, everyone goes as low maintenance as they possibly can, products like Trex and Timber Tech allow them to do this," he said.
Murphy said he has a computer program in his showroom that can design an outdoor living space for your backyard based on an existing photo, complete with a stone patio, outdoor kitchen, deck, gazebo and landscaping. It can also incorporate furniture placement.
Patio Outdoor Lighting - News
Rounding it out are a sound system, low lighting and carefully selected low-maintenance shrubs and flowers that add colour and eye appeal. The Kings spend every possible moment outside, making the $120000 price tag worth every penny.
Lighting is another huge component to outdoor living. Patio lanterns are still fabulous but they have evolved from the kitschy colourful ones of the past to today's elegant low-voltage fixtures. ``When you do outdoor lighting, try to highlight the
Just in time for seating on the outdoor patio, Patch visits a historic local staple. By Larissa Dudkiewicz | Email the author | 6:00am The Sewickley Hotel looks like a bar straight out of Cheers or an old movie. It's got red-checkered floors,
Outdoor entertaining has moved beyond melamine plates and plastic glasses to become as elegant as dining indoors. Ditch the patio furniture and buy an elegant dining room table (new or tag sale; it's up to you), and weatherproof it with a coat of
Murphy said he has a computer program in his showroom that can design an outdoor living space for your backyard based on an existing photo, complete with a stone patio, outdoor kitchen, deck, gazebo and landscaping. It can also incorporate furniture
Enhance the Patio Experience with Suitable Outdoor Lighting ...
One of my favorite places at home is its outdoor areas, particularly the garden and the patio. These areas are simply areas where I always seem to find myself being able to relax more while reading a book, having coffee or tea or just enjoying an afternoon conversing with guests, friends and family.
These places become even more special during night time when the weather gets cooler. I use a lot of mood-setting lighting in my patio to help enhance the feel and experience of the area. Use of simple outdoor lights like a set of patio string lights or two and some accent or sconce lights on the walls should help improve the ambience of these areas without really the need to spend a lot of money.
If you are looking for tips on how to effectively set up lights out doors, you may consult your landscape artist or go about it DIY. There are a lot of resources online that can help you with this kind of project. But be sure that you know what you’re doing because you’ll be handling electrical items.
Open-air life: Outdoor rooms can relax and inspire: Lighting is another huge component to outdoor living. Patio ... 
Outdoor lighting combines the ultimate in style and function for the perfect outdoor living area. 
Solar Power Lights - Solar Patio Lights - Outdoor Solar Lighting: Using solar power lights not only can help you... 
Enhance your deck or patio w/ outdoor lighting. It makes your property safe at night & gives your outdoor party pizzazz. 
Deck out your outdoor patio with some lighting. 
