Not too long ago, if you wanted to entertain outdoors without leaving the comfort of your home, you would break out the charcoal, the lighter fluid, the hibachi or the old three-legged grill. Then comes the unenviable task of building the fire. Many a good man has gone up in flames trying to find the delicate balance between the sputtering flame and Nagasaki revisited. Then after completing the traditional no rain dance (usually performed during the 20 minutes you waited for the coals to heat properly), you finally tossed on a few burgers and hot dogs and begin the endless parade of plates, salads, side dishes, buns, condiments, and drinks out from the kitchen. Exit the Cro-Magnon era… enter the Twenty-first Century!
Today the line between indoor and outdoor entertaining has become increasingly blurred. Outdoor entertaining truly has the potential to be the ultimate in luxury and convenience. Outdoor barbeque island designs are varied enough to range from meeting the most sparse demands to gourmet islands fit for the most discerning chefs. These high end barbeque islands can house a wide range of appliances like drop-in or slide-in gas grills, refrigerators, ice makers, sinks, wet bars, warmers, and ovens as well as provide ample space for preparing food and storing dinnerware. These kitchen islands are now designed for outdoor installation so that meals can be prepared, served and cleaned up without ever leaving the comfort of your own “outdoor room". With the latest products on the market for outdoor entertaining, there is barely any need to take a single step inside your home. Some of the really high end islands even include entertainment centers complete with stereo, VHS, DVD players and multiple miniature video screens. Also, many consumers are opting to add are custom hand painted tile murals as a custom touch. These tile murals traditionally used in the home in the bathroom and shower or as a kitchen backsplash are now finding their way to the “Outdoor Room" as island accents & unique barbeque backsplashes.
A consumer tendency toward home entertaining and an increased demand for new ways to relax at home has brought a growing trend in outdoor entertaining. Homeowners are finding their own back yards a natural extension of their indoor living spaces. Builders, contractors, and remodelers can set themselves apart from the competition by incorporating outdoor kitchen islands as auxiliary entertainment centers on outdoor remodeling projects as well as new home options. Manufacturers have responded to these trends by providing a wide variety of food preparation and storage products that can weather year round existence in the great outdoors. Product selection and available options allow home owners to determine the level of luxury and convenience that will suit their needs and budget. Options include grills (drop-in, slide-in, free standing gas charcoal or electric), side burners, griddles, woks, rotisseries, warmers, refrigerators, ice makers, sinks, wet bars. Gas patio heaters and outdoor lighting make it possible to entertain outside even on chilly evenings. So, depending on the climate where you live, you can cook and entertain in your new “Outdoor Room" year round or at least a good portion of the year.
Life is too short! Enjoy your home, family and friends to the fullest!
