• Project Location: La Crosse, WI
• Remodel type: Cabinet Refacing and New Cabinets
• Type of door style: Elegante II
• Remodel style: Transitional
• Color: Palomino
• Countertop: Quartz
• Countertop color: Calacatta Safyra
• Backsplash: Scrapbook 2” x 8” Album White backsplash and a stunning Scrapbook Quilt accent

For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of La Crosse’s Blog.

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• Project Location: La Crosse, WI
• Remodel type: Cabinet Refacing
• Type of door style: Shaker Wide
• Remodel style: Transitional
• Color: Stratus for perimeter and Sage for island
• Countertop: Quartz
• Countertop color: Carrara Miksa
• Backsplash: Miramo 2” x 5” Picket Mosaic in Pearl

For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of La Crosse’s Gallery page.

The post Spotlight Kitchens of February 2025 – Cabinet Refacing appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

• Project Location: Bird City, KS
• Remodel type: Redoor
• Type of door style: Elegante II
• Remodel style: Contemporary
• Color: Aloe Supermatte for uppers & Sage Supermatte for lowers
• Countertop: Quartz
• Countertop color: Praa Sands
• Backsplash: Reward Taupe Bevel Glossy Porcelain

For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of McCook’s Blog.

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Design Trends for Outdoor Kitchens

What began as basic grill stations has transformed into fully equipped outdoor kitchens, driven by a post-pandemic emphasis on home entertainment and well-being. Open-concept designs not only optimize space but also foster connection, turning outdoor kitchens into the centerpiece of summer gatherings. Materials like stone, wood, and concrete deliver a timeless aesthetic, seamlessly blending with nature while offering durability against the elements. Modern outdoor kitchens are defined by sleek lines, stainless steel appliances, and polished finishes, combining functionality with contemporary sophistication. No longer just a place to cook, outdoor kitchens have become a lifestyle enhancement, offering the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and style for memorable outdoor living.

Must-Have Features for a Functional Outdoor Kitchen

When it comes to designing a functional outdoor kitchen, there are no hard and fast rules—but there are certainly must-have features you won’t want to overlook. High-quality appliances such as built-in grills, pizza ovens, and outdoor refrigerators can instantly elevate your outdoor space, adding both convenience and sophistication.

Weather-resistant furniture and surfaces are essential to ensure durability, standing up to rain, sun, and fluctuating temperatures. Ample storage solutions, including cabinets and drawers, keep utensils, cookware, and ingredients organized and within reach.

Lighting is another critical element—task lighting enhances functionality for cooking, while ambient lighting sets the mood for evening gatherings. Finally, consider outdoor heating or cooling options to make your space enjoyable year-round, regardless of the season. These features will not only enhance your outdoor kitchen but also create a comfortable and versatile space for every occasion.

Bringing Indoor Comforts Outdoors

Comfort is paramount when designing your outdoor kitchen. Incorporate seating areas with lounge-style setups that cater to both dining and relaxation, ensuring a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. Enhance the experience with entertainment options such as outdoor televisions, high-quality sound systems, and Wi-Fi integration, keeping guests engaged and connected. For a touch of luxury, consider adding outdoor fireplaces, elegant water features, or a fully equipped bar setup to elevate the ambiance and make your space truly unforgettable.

Outdoor Kitchen Layouts: What Works Best

Popular layouts for outdoor kitchens include L-shaped, U-shaped, and island designs, each offering unique benefits to suit different needs. Tailor your layout to fit your space, whether you’re working with a compact patio or a sprawling backyard. Prioritize flow and functionality by ensuring that prep, cooking, and serving areas are seamlessly connected, making your outdoor kitchen both efficient and enjoyable to use.

Tips for Designing Your Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

When planning your outdoor kitchen, start by considering your lifestyle and entertaining needs. Explore the latest trends that seamlessly bring the comfort and convenience of indoor living to the great outdoors.

Set a realistic budget, focusing on splurging for high-quality essentials while saving on less critical accessories. For the best results, consult professionals such as designers, contractors, and landscapers to ensure your vision comes to life.

For more inspiration, check out our recent blog: “Why NOW is the Smartest Time to Remodel Your Kitchen.” Ready to get started? Speak with a professional today for personalized consultations and expert advice!

The post Outdoor Kitchen Trends: Bringing the Indoors Outside appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

Outdoor kitchens provide a variety of benefits, particularly for people who love to host, and after your kitchen is finished, you may never want to go back to cooking indoors. Here are a few of the best reasons to build an outdoor kitchen that you should keep in mind if you’ve been thinking about a home remodel.

Extra Space for Entertaining

The best reason by far to build an outdoor kitchen at your home is to increase your hosting space. If you’re the type of person who regularly hosts parties, you know that the kitchen is often the center of the action. Unfortunately, indoor kitchens can get hot, stuffy, and downright crowded during a dinner party.

With an outdoor kitchen, you’ll never have to worry about running out of room for your friends and family. In addition to the kitchen itself, you’ll have patio space, as well as your entire backyard, making it easy to invite the entire neighborhood to your home for an evening barbecue.

Boost Your Property Value

The goal of almost every homeowner is to boost the value of their property in case they ever decide to sell. When you decide to install an outdoor kitchen at your home, not only will you increase your property value, you’ll also make your home more attractive to homebuyers.

A home’s kitchen can make or break a sale, and when buyers are touring your house, you can point out to them that your house actually has two kitchens, making it a perfect fit for aspiring gourmands. With the shiny new appliances, fixtures, and decor in your outdoor kitchen, selling your home for a great price will be much easier.

Cook Large Meals With Ease

If you dream of cooking five-course holiday meals for your friends and family, but just don’t have the ability to pull off your dream meal in your current kitchen, adding an outdoor kitchen to your home can be an excellent decision. Having two kitchens means having double the cooking space, meaning you can handle large, intricate meals with the greatest of ease.

For instance, while the main course cooks in your outdoor stove, you can use the kitchen inside your house to prepare a few mouthwatering appetizers or a sweet dessert that all of your guests will appreciate. Once your outdoor kitchen is complete, you can flex your culinary muscles and create restaurant-quality meals that your friends will rave about long after dinner is over.

You Can Choose New Appliances

Experienced homeowners know that adding new appliances to a kitchen can be difficult, especially in an older home. First, before you can install your new stove or refrigerator, you’ll have to remove your old equipment, which takes both time and effort, and it can disrupt your day-to-day life depending on the length of the project.

The great thing about building an outdoor kitchen is that installing your new appliances should be quick and easy. You’ll typically have a lot more space to work with than you would with a traditional kitchen, and you also won’t have to worry about removing your old appliances before installation can begin.

When you install your appliances in your outdoor kitchen, you can also work to make your home more energy-efficient so that you’ll end up saving money in the long run. If the appliances inside your house are on the older side, you can choose new, energy-efficient appliances for your outdoor kitchen that will help you cook delicious meals while using a lot less energy. Over time, you may see a dip in your energy bills, causing you to appreciate your outdoor kitchen even more.

Eat at Home More and Save

Eating out at restaurants regularly can cost a lot of money, especially if you have a large family. While you may not believe it because of the upfront costs, building an outdoor kitchen may actually help you to save money on your regular food costs in the long run.

For starters, thanks to the advanced equipment in your kitchen, cooking an evening meal for your family will be more fun and less of a chore, meaning you may not even want to eat out at restaurants again. Second, outdoor kitchen and dining areas provide the same upscale atmosphere as many restaurants without the noise or possibility of having to wait for a table. With your outdoor kitchen, you’ll spend more evenings at home and less money at expensive restaurants.

What You Need in Your Kitchen

As you can see, there are a lot of great reasons to build an outdoor kitchen, but to get the most out of your project, you need to be sure you’re choosing the right features. For instance, in addition to traditional stoves and cooktops, you may want to add high-end appliances such as a BBQ grill, smoker, or a pizza oven so that you’re not limited in what type of meals you can create.

Adding a bar to your outdoor kitchen can be a great idea if you love hosting cocktail parties for your friends, and you’ll definitely need a large refrigerator for cold drinks and your go-to cooking ingredients. Finally, you can also add a variety of features to your outdoor kitchen to make it a more comfortable living space, from a firepit that will keep the chill away on a cooler evening to an entertainment system so that you and your friends can watch the big game outside.

Get Started on Your Kitchen

If you’re interested in transforming your home into the neighborhood’s hotspot for fun, memorable dinner parties, installing an outdoor kitchen is an excellent decision. Whether you’re in the earliest stages of planning your project or you know exactly what you want out of your outdoor kitchen, Kitchen Solvers is here to help you build the kitchen of your dreams.

We are home-remodeling experts and have the know-how to make building your outdoor kitchen quick and easy. Stop by a Kitchen Solvers location near you so that we can talk with you about your ideas for your outdoor kitchen and help you get your project in motion.

Also be sure to check out our blogs, Tips to Help You Build an Outdoor Kitchen and Choosing the Right Countertop Material for Your Outdoor Kitchen for more information on planning your outdoor kitchen.

The post 6 Reasons to Build an Outdoor Kitchen appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

If you’re interested in turning your home’s backyard into a fun hosting spot, installing an outdoor kitchen is an excellent idea. Like most home improvement projects, building an outdoor kitchen takes a great deal of planning and preparation. In addition to choosing the layout for your new kitchen and picking out your perfect appliances, you’ll need to decide what material you should use for your countertops.

Because your outdoor counters will sustain exposure to the elements, your goal should be picking a material that is not only attractive, but durable as well. Fortunately, there are several excellent counter material options that meet this exact description. Learn about a few of the best outdoor kitchen countertop materials so that you can pick the option that will work the best for your home.

Tile

For homeowners that want a quick and easy countertop installation, there is almost no better material than tile. The great thing about tile countertops is that they’re available in an array of colors and patterns, meaning you’ll easily be able to select an option that matches your exact tastes.

If you’re interested in using tile for your outdoor kitchen countertops, you should consider the typical weather in your area. If the climate where you live is generally warm, you can install tile outdoors without worry. On the other hand, tile is not a good choice in very cold areas, as the grout will be at risk for freezing.

Natural Stone

When it comes to durable and attractive outdoor kitchen countertop materials, there’s almost no better option than natural stone. Several types of natural stone can be installed in outdoor kitchens and will last for years to come with little to no need for regular maintenance.

In most cases, granite is the best type of natural stone for outdoor kitchen counters. For starters, granite is highly durable and can resist heat damage, staining and mildew growth. You can also choose your granite in different colors and finishes, making it easier to achieve the look that you want for your outdoor kitchen.

You could also choose soapstone if you want to construct your kitchen counters using natural stone. One of the biggest advantages of soapstone is that there is no need to add sealant, and like granite, this type of natural stone is heat resistant. The only drawback is that your soapstone counters will need periodic maintenance to stay looking their best.

Materials to Avoid

In general, the same counter materials you could choose for your indoor kitchen will be suitable for your outdoor kitchen. The exception, however, is quartz counters. Quartz is one material that you should absolutely avoid in your outdoor kitchen. When exposed to sunlight, the color of your quartz counters will fade, forcing you to think about repairs or replacement. Laminate is another material you shouldn’t use outdoors because of the risk for moisture damage.

Get Started on Your Outdoor Kitchen

Now that you know about some of the best outdoor kitchen countertop materials, you can get started building your outdoor kitchen; and if you want your project finished quickly and effectively, you should get help from the Kitchen Solvers team. We can help you design an outdoor kitchen that will be perfect for hosting your friends and family for special occasions or for a spontaneous get-together. Also be sure to check out our blog, “Tips to Help You Build an Outdoor Kitchen” for more information on planning your outdoor kitchen. Be sure to visit one of our locations today for more information.

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If you want to add an exciting feature to your home, there’s almost no better option than installing an outdoor kitchen. An outdoor kitchen is both a great place to cook a meal and is the perfect opportunity to host an outdoor party for your friends and family.

Before you start building your outdoor kitchen, it’s a good idea to learn a little more about the process and how you can plan the most effective remodeling project possible. Here are a few useful tips to help you build an outdoor kitchen so that you can plan your renovation quickly, easily, and effectively.

Make it a Part of Your Living Space

While your main goal in installing an outdoor kitchen is being able to prepare a meal in the fresh air, you probably also want your kitchen area to be able to host your friends and family, which is why you need to make sure your outdoor kitchen is an extension of your living space.

For summer barbecues, you should make sure there is a shaded area where your guests can beat the heat. If you want to be able to use your outdoor kitchen in all seasons, you should consider installing a fire pit, or if you have the resources, radiant heat. Treating your outdoor kitchen as a living space will ensure you have a welcoming area for your next party.

Picking Your Perfect Appliances

Perhaps the most important part of building an outdoor kitchen is choosing what appliances you need. Most people use their outdoor kitchen for large gatherings and seasonal celebrations, which means you need the appliance that will help you throw a memorable party.

Of course, grills and smokers are a must for an outdoor kitchen, and many people choose to make these items the centerpiece of their kitchen. A small built-in fridge is also a good idea if you want to make sure your friends can always grab a cold drink. Finally, if you’re a beer aficionado, you should consider installing a kegerator in your outdoor kitchen, the perfect gameday feature.

Layout and Materials

Before you break ground on your outdoor kitchen, you need to spend time planning your layout and choosing your materials. The layout of your outdoor kitchen will determine its ease of use, so be very careful about this part of your project.

Generally, an l-shaped design is a good choice for your outdoor kitchen, as this will give you ample room for food prep, storage and placing your appliances. When it comes to materials, you want to choose something that can handle every type of weather imaginable, including high heat, heavy winds and snow. Durability is key, so be sure your choosing materials that are guaranteed to last for years to come.

Build Your Outdoor Kitchen with Help

If you want to make your home the top gathering spot in your neighborhood, there’s no better choice than installing an outdoor kitchen. Get started on the process of building your outdoor kitchen today by working with the pros at Kitchen Solvers.

At Kitchen Solvers, we can help you with a wide range of remodeling projects, including building an outdoor kitchen. Stop by one of our locations today so that we can discuss your project.

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