Ergonomic Design Ideas for Outdoor Custom Kitchens Perth Homeowners Will Love

In designing their outdoor custom kitchens Perth homeowners should give as much importance to ergonomics as they do to aesthetics. With an ergonomically designed kitchen, functionality and ease of movement is optimised, and as a result, the family's full enjoyment and comfort as they spend time cooking and eating outdoors.

Proximity

Ideally, the outdoor kitchen is situated no more than 5 metres from the house or indoor kitchen. Within this distance, one can still move supplies and food from the latter to the former, or vice versa. Proximity to the main house or indoor kitchen is appreciated especially when food prep and eating is done inside with only the cooking itself, such as grilling, done outdoors.

Size

Kitchen size will also affect how well one's movement within the kitchen should be planned for. A small kitchen with just a grill, a small table, and some chairs will have different demands compared to a larger kitchen that also has appliances, some cabinets, a sink, and other amenities.

Layout

There are some considerations for custom flat pack kitchens outdoors as well when it comes to ergonomically designing the layout. Compared to kitchen indoors where the walls and doors help with the layout, an open space such as it is outdoors has its own unique challenges. Smaller outdoor kitchens most often work best with an L-shape layout, while U-shaped kitchens work for larger designs that has more appliances and amenities. Outdoor kitchens with an island can use this natural division to separate the prep and cooking areas from the entertainment areas.

Storage

Efficiently keeping clutter away is important as well. Glasses and mugs are best kept at eye level and at a distance where one does not have to stretch to get hold of them. Heavy kitchen utensils should be kept in bottom storage areas while lighter implements are well placed at eye level or higher. Outdoor cabinets and counters should also be made of material that are easier to clean and more durable than those indoors.

Safety

Kitchen ergonomics should also come hand in hand with safety in mind. For example, a grill installed under a ceiling should have enough space in between and with a ventilation hood installed as well to prevent fires. Wind direction should also be kept in mind when deciding on its placement in the kitchen so that the chances of smoke going into the house is minimised. Designating hot and cold areas for the outdoor kitchen will improve safety. Having these clearly defined areas can be as simple as placing the grill away from the refrigerator, for example. Other family activities not necessarily connected to cooking, such as where the kids play outdoors should also be considered. You would not want to be too concerned about the kids playing football while you are firing up the barbecue, for example. Foot traffic is from the house to the outdoor kitchen or the yard and other outdoor areas will also determine how orienting outdoor cooking areas from the custom kitchen doors inside will affect overall ergonomics and safety.

Adam is an author, who wrote many articles about Home Renovations like kitchen renovations and its related accessories like customized or designed cabinets.