3 outdoor kitchen styles perfect for alfresco entertaining

Because our beautiful climate and nature-loving lifestyle are so conducive to eating, relaxing and spending time outdoors, it’s worth creating dedicated dining spaces.

Outdoor kitchen stations needn’t entail too much clutter or equipment. Instead, they can serve as temporary workspaces and dining and drinking hubs when the occasion calls for it.

The Williamsburg range from Cesar (above) combines durability, simplicity and comfort. Clever side storage and the absence of cumbersome obstacles underneath the surface make for an easy space to sit around, and its rustic styling gives it an attractive and unpretentious industrial edge. Caesarstone’s Midday colourway (top) is light, bright and crisp – the perfect complement to coastal settings. Here, simply executed islands and counters, sleekly incorporated fridges and cleverly designed seating don’t try to compete with the scenery, but rather create a sense of ease and direct you towards the view.

Entertaining-oriented outdoor kitchens allow you to share your space with friends and family. To create spaces that are functional as well as easy to be in entails including areas to sit, socialise, prep and eat.

Caesarstone’s earthy but sophisticated Clearskies merge beautifully with the natural textures of stone and timber, creating a calming and grounding space in which to relax.

Meanwhile, Three Birds Renovations has demarcated specific zones for various functions in this idyllic outdoor space, with a mixture of seating options at different levels – a smart way to ensure the space flows and is multifunctional.

This Officine Gullo outdoor kitchen is specced for high-level entertaining. Generous spaces and dedicated zones for cooking and prep, as well as smart features such as an ice bath to keep wine chilled, make hosting a cinch.

For this cosy outdoor area, ARRCC has considered all the ways you might want to use it – from drinks by a roaring fire in winter to summer braais or family pizza days.

Caesarstone’s Palm Shade exudes cool, urban elegance: it’s an ideal surface with which to create a glamorous rooftop hub. Consider, too, how lighting and seating have been organised to set a mood – especially apparent after dark.

Hatches and barstools are a great way of maximising square meterage if you don’t have a huge amount of space to work with but still want outdoor dining options.

This Officine Gullo solution makes the most of limited room to create a bar area outside, with a cooking apparatus undercover.

Three Birds Renovations has used an oblong space cleverly by fashioning a bar counter at one end and creating extra seating at the other by way of a built-in banquette.

This article was originally posted on VISI.

COMPILED BY Julia Freemantle PHOTOS Supplied, Greg Cox (ARRCC)