With the current worldwide economic downturn, many families are choosing to forego expensive family vacations. Instead, more and more families are choosing to vacation at home. Updating your family home and yard can be a fantastic investment, both in the value of your home, but also in enjoyment and recreation. One popular home upgrade is an outdoor kitchen. If you are considering adding an outdoor kitchen to your home, there are several elements to consider before you begin construction.

Foremost in any outdoor kitchen is location. You want enough room for all the elements you want to add to your outdoor kitchen. Plan to include clearance for easy walking and movement around a hot grill. Decide what kinds of elements will be a part of your dream space. Will it be a simple grill and counter, or will it include barstools and an eating area? Will you have a cover or palapa, or will you leave it open to the stars? Do you need electrical connections for a refrigerator, microwave, outlet, etc? Will you have a dedicated gas line directly to your grill, or will you rely on propane tanks? All of these considerations must be taken into account when planning your dream backyard entertainment area. Applications needing electrical wiring and gas lines will need to be located nearer to your home than a freestanding unit would need to be.

Once you have found the ideal location, check with your local government to determine if permits are required for your project. A reliable contractor can normally advise you if your particular project has elements needing a permit or not. A contractor is always a great investment when building any important elements around your home. While a project may seem easy, it is often much more convenient and definitely a time saver to turn it over to a professional so that you can be using your new cooking area as soon as possible. If you are a handy do-it-yourselfer, however, an outdoor eating area is not an impossible project to complete. Check your plans and permits with an expert in construction. In general any time electrical wiring or gas line piping is involved, permits are a wise idea. Again, check with your local government to be sure your project follows the proper legal guidelines.

Construction of an outdoor kitchen can be completed in many different ways. For homeowners who do not want the hassle of constructing an entire outdoor cooking area from scratch, many home improvement stores now carry whole backyard cooking islands complete with faux or real tile counter tops, and stucco on the sides. Most of these ready-made areas come complete with a high-end stainless steel grill and are attractive and simple to assemble.

For a homeowner looking for a more custom look, or a larger installation, it makes sense to build from scratch. Plans for different BBQ islands are widely available on the internet. Most begin with a steel-framed base. Different cook tops can be integrated into the base, which can also be stretched to fit any length or width desired by the homeowner. Once the base is built, the exterior can be covered with a concrete backer board and then stuccoed to match the backyard decor as desired. Countertops can be tiled in nearly any color or style of tile, from brightly hand painted ceramic tiles to subdued stone. Granite and other stone countertops can also be a good choice for a backyard kitchen, depending on taste, and of course, budget. Before selecting any material for the project, be sure to check to make sure it is weather resistant, and easy to clean up. You want your outdoor eating area to stay beautiful for years to come with as little maintenance as possible.

Outdoor kitchens can be as well-appointed as those inside a house. It is not uncommon to find outdoor refrigerators, blenders, and even wine chillers. Visit a retailer that specializes in outdoor design to see all that is possible for your project. You will be amazed at the choices available to make your project as unique as your home. You might find that cooking in the back yard is even more rewarding than cooking in your "real" kitchen!

Any great back yard food preparation area is not complete if it does not include a comfy seating area where your guests can hang out and join you while you are grilling. Consider modern amenities such as a fire pit or a water feature to bring another level of sophistication and atmosphere to your back yard. Hanging swings, gliders, and puffy cushions can also add comfort and style to your design. Think of this area as more than just a backyard, with all the new amenities it is like an extension of your home, almost like adding another room to your living space.