Kitchens: Aspiration Alfresco

Cooking outside with friends and family is a signature joy of summer. Our expert guide has all you need to fire up the outdoor kitchen of your dreams

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but with warm weather and life moving outside, it can feel counterintuitive spending all our time within four walls. An outdoor kitchen not only lets you enjoy more of those balmy evenings, it also gives you the freedom to return to elemental cooking methods that are best explored in the great outdoors - think fire, smoke and charcoal.

Today’s trends in outdoor kitchens reflect a close connection to nature, explains interior designer Coco Tully of Cote Interiors. “Think natural materials, such as timber and stone, and neutral palettes, like fresh whites and sleek blacks that look fabulous within leafy surrounds,” she says. Architect Joe Snell of Studio Snell agrees: “The key to a wow-factor outdoor kitchen is embracing the outdoors. It should feel like an outdoor kitchen, not just another indoor kitchen you’ve plonked outside.” Ready to make it happen at your place? Our expert guide answers all your burning questions.

DO WE HAVE ENOUGH SPACE?

Size is the first important consideration when planning your dream outdoor kitchen. “The ideal would be a 1.8 to 2 metre long wall, which would allow for a small barbecue, some counter space, a bar fridge and a sink for washing up,” says interior designer Coco Tully. “Allow 60cm for the depth of the bench and at least 90cm in front of the cooking space.” The bench in a kitchen by Matt Leacy at Landart Landscapes allows plenty of room for prepping.