Rehabbing exteriors with an outdoor kitchen is a great idea, especially in homes that have a huge backyard. Since the kitchen is the “money room” of a property, imagine if you can double it. Just how much value will it add to the house? The simple answer is “a lot.” Buyers of properties in the Sunny Strip of states just love outdoor cooking and dining. So in time for the Memorial Day weekend, here are eight essential outdoor kitchen ideas rehabbers.

1. Reliable sink and water supply. On top of your checklist should be a sink and reliable water supply. When you say kitchen, what often comes to mind first is fire but water is just as important. You need to wash and prepare food. This is the first issue you should tackle for this rehabbing exteriors project because if the pipes aren’t laid right, it might cost you a lot. Plumbing is a major repair, remember?
2. Safe power lines. Often neglected by many rehabbers, and regret neglecting afterward, is carefully planning the arrangement of the outdoor kitchen. Before you even purchase appliances, you must ensure that you already have a design laid on paper; this must include the location of the electrical lines. Take note that using normal extension cords won’t suffice on the outdoors. You will most likely use GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets for the grill and the refrigerator, so adjust the position of the outlets based on the position of the appliances.
3. Sufficient lighting. When planning where to place lights, consider purpose and electrical safety. You are likely to need lighting near the grill, countertop, sink, and dining area. You can use spotlights, lamps, and clip-on grill lights. Be sure to position them where they’ll be safe from the rain – under a freestanding umbrella or under the pergola roof.
4. Ever-essential grill. Can you call it an outdoor kitchen without a grill? Come on. When rehabbing exteriors with a new grill, get one that’s new but not expensive. Units with basic features will do. Throwing in a 36-inch grill is fine. Ask the store personnel about affordable add-on rotisserie kits to add value to the outdoor kitchen.
5. Heart-warming “grill.” Having a fireplace in your outdoor kitchen will surely melt the heart of your prospective buyers. For this rehabbing exteriors idea, you can opt for an outdoor fireplace that stands against a wall or you can build a small circular one.
6. Enough countertop space. Make sure there’s at least 24 inches of work space. When selecting countertop materials, you can use natural stone, concrete, and ceramic tiles, which by the way, are better options for rehabbers because of their affordability.
7. Ample cabinet space. If the outdoor kitchen is two steps from indoor one, installing a storage area is optional. But because part of this rehabbing exteriors project is impressing buyers, go install a cabinet. It doesn’t have to be fixed; you can use a cart that you can immediately roll onto dry ground when the rain starts to spoil the weekend barbecue.
8. Finally, what’s a kitchen without a fridge? Choose a small one that fits snugly into a counter space. Make sure it’s protected from harsh elements like direct sunlight and moisture. If your budget is a bit low, a cooler will probably do. Use these rehabbing exteriors essential ideas and your outdoor kitchen is good to go.