BETHLEHEM, PA — Luxury in outdoor kitchens grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as spending time at home and wanting to entertain within an outdoor space became more popular, according to a new report by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
At the same time, the NKBA reported, luxury outdoor kitchens are becoming “a new standard” for luxury new-home construction, since they provide additional usable square footage for a home.
The NKBA’s “Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Report,” released last month, was based on the input of 11 designers who completed custom outdoor kitchens in seven states, including four U.S. regions and two Canadian provinces, the Bethlehem, PA-based trade association said.
“While there are some ways in which outdoor kitchens are similar to indoor kitchens in term of design principles and layout, they can also create unique obstacles and challenges for designers,” said the NKBA, citing “increased activity” among association members around high-end outdoor kitchens.
A successful outdoor kitchen “provides harmony and flow” from the indoors to the outdoors, the NKBA said. “Product innovation and materials used allow for this transition to feel very natural.”
“Using various materials, products and services extends the homeowners’ ability to use the outdoor kitchen throughout the year through various seasons, extending the kitchen’s value,” the NKBA said.
The “Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Report” is available by contacting the NKBA, at www.nkba.org.