Refresh your outdoor space for summer: A guide to designing your dream outdoor kitchen & living space
As the weather warms, it's the perfect opportunity to invite your guests outdoors. Post-pandemic, outdoor communal areas have become increasingly popular, offering an attractive experience that appeals to social media-savvy guests. Guests are no longer looking for just a place to stay—they want a memorable destination.
Designing an Outdoor Kitchen that Delights
The first step to planning an outdoor kitchen and living space is understanding the lifestyle of your guests and what you’d like their experience to be at your property. Then, incorporate design elements that align with your brand essence.
With the help of a few key elements, an outdoor kitchen space can breathe new life into your property. Here are some essential equipment pieces:
Grill: Versatile for all culinary skill levels, with accessories like smoker boxes and griddles to offer diverse cooking options.
Pizza Oven: Adds an engaging, interactive element for guests of all ages.
Refrigeration: Keeps ingredients fresh and drinks cold, eliminating the need to trek back and forth from guest rooms.
Sink: Essential for hygiene and easy cleanup.
Storage: Keeps cooking utensils for easy access.
Top Tip #1: “Be mindful of the dietary restrictions of your guests when designing your communal kitchen space. Accessories like grates and griddles, can be swapped out to meet halal, gluten-free, kosher and vegetarian requirements,” shares Rachael Caron, Director of Sales for Crown Verity.
Top Tip #2: To keep your grill in top condition, always keep water in grill trays to ease cleaning. Adding a drop of dish soap helps with grease removal.
Make it Convenient & Cozy
Whether your property primarily attracts business travelers, Gen Z groups looking to unwind, families in town for a sporting event, or a mix of guests, flexibility and convenience are key to creating an outdoor space that enhances the guest experience.
“Guests love deep seating around fire pits and comfortable sectionals and tables where they can spend time with friends, make new friends, and enjoy food and drinks in a comfortable outdoor environment. Large moveable planters can help section off areas and provide flexibility from day to night or for private events,” says Jennifer Lutton, VP of Hospitality & Contract Sales at DANAO.
For flexible dining and gathering areas, modular furniture and tables can be easily rearranged to accommodate groups of all sizes.
Top Tip #1: Incorporate shade into your outdoor space to keep guests comfortable throughout the day. “With custom canopy design in various colors and shapes, hotels can express their brand and personality. Adjustable umbrellas allow guests to maximize their time outside, even on rainy days,” shares Michelle McGuire-Kecker, Brand Manager for JANUS et Cie.
Top Tip #2: Drive ROI by creating rental opportunities, so guests can enjoy their own reserved space. “We are seeing an increase in hospitality properties utilizing cabanas and daybeds as rental opportunities,” shares Michelle.
Top Tip #3: Clean and maintain your outdoor equipment and furniture to extend the life of your investment. For areas near pools or high-saline environments, regular cleaning prevents corrosion from saltwater.
Elevate the Guest Experience
Impress your guests with amenities and flexible ways to use them and, in turn, raise your Average Daily Rate (ADR).
“Hotels can maximize revenue with flexible outdoor spaces that accommodate large groups, conferences, weddings and parties,” says Jennifer. “Dining tables and chairs should be adaptable for easy transformations between various dining setups. The ability to connect tables for larger parties and stackable chairs are a must.”
For an added touch of luxury, properties with on-site chefs can use the outdoor kitchen to provide interactive culinary shows, enhancing the overall guest experience and creating lasting memories. Consider offering cooking classes featuring local ingredients to immerse your guests in the area’s culture.
Top Tip #1: Outdoor spaces can be used during the night as well. Incorporate nightlife elements like live music, a DJ, light bites and drinks to maximize usage.
Top Tip #2: Support your guests’ special events by opting for kitchen equipment with mobile capabilities. “Our mobile products allow properties to bring the kitchen to any location, offering the flexibility to host events anywhere on-site without having to transport food from the main kitchen,” explains Rachael.
Transform your outdoor space into the ultimate outdoor kitchen and gathering area, enhancing guest experiences, with the help of a few valued suppliers from Avendra International’s FF&E Services. Find more expert insights like this in the Spring/Summer 2025 Edge Magazine. Request your copy today!
