Areas to Improve for Ultimate Outdoor Enjoyment

The modern backyard has become a personal getaway. Designed like an outdoor café, patios now boast full living spaces complete with working kitchens, dedicated dining areas and space to entertain. With everything from built-in grills, sinks and pizza ovens to refrigerators, dishwashers and outdoor chandeliers, the possibilities for how you can experience ultimate outdoor enjoyment are endless.

The product experts at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery recommend three easy improvements to take your patio from plain to perfect! Material Selection for the Outdoor Kitchen image

Material Selection for the Outdoor Kitchen

Your patio is an extension of your home, so the style of your outdoor kitchen should be influenced by the architecture of your house and the natural elements of your backyard. Stick with one color scheme and similar elements throughout the space and choose materials that will stand-up to the harsh elements of the outdoors. Last but not least, consider lighter shades for countertops. Black countertops may look nice, but they heat up quickly and are no fun to lean against under the hot sun.

Add a Pizza Oven to the Grilling Experience

Beyond the grill, one of the hottest (pun intended) additions to the outdoor kitchen is the pizza oven. The Alfresco Pizza Oven Plus is an outdoor pizza and culinary oven designed to deliver commercial-grade performance. Available in a built-in or countertop configuration, the Alfresco Pizza Oven Plus preheats in 15 minutes and can reach more than 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to roast, bake, broil and iron-skillet sear foods to perfection.

Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting creatively illuminates all types of exterior environments and increases enjoyment of your favorite natural spaces throughout the evening hours. Imagine drawing attention to your favorite botanicals by creating shadows on an adjacent fence or facade of your home. For more ambience, consider using an accent light to highlight trees, a fountain or the architecture of your home. To understand the many options for illuminating your exterior spaces, check out the comprehensive landscape lighting guide by Hinkley Lighting.

Bonus Tips

Our product experts recommend five additional tips to make an outdoor living space entertaining, inviting and fun year-round.

Enjoy a constant cool breeze with ceiling fans.
Incorporate subtle water features to help mask environmental noise.
For a cozy feel, add a wet-rated outdoor chandelier or table lamp.
Use an outdoor heater, fireplace or fire pit to extend the use of your patio through-out the year.
If you have a pool, consider adding an outdoor shower for quick rinsing.