So you’ve created an outdoor kitchen design using a free design tool… and now you’re getting pushed to speak with a designer. You just made your dream outdoor kitchen online, why do you need to speak to someone?
It’s a valid question. If you’ve created the perfect outdoor kitchen design with an online tool… you likely don’t see much need to talk to a designer at all. But as an outdoor kitchen company that has helped bring thousands of custom outdoor kitchen projects to life… we know from experience just how valuable the touch of a Design Expert can be.
In this article, you’ll learn why it’s worth considering speaking to a Design Expert after creating an initial outdoor kitchen design… and see real-life examples of how designers improved on homeowners’ initial design submissions.
Why is it Worth Speaking to a Designer after Using an Outdoor Kitchen Design Tool?
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Why Should I Consider Using Concrete for My Outdoor Kitchen?
There are several reasons why it’s worth strongly considering speaking to an outdoor kitchen design expert after creating your own layout:
- Online design tools are limited: RTA’s outdoor kitchen design tool may provide you with thousands of potential different combinations… but there are still limitations that can be unlocked by speaking with a Design Expert. Your Design Expert can get more granular with placing multiple cooking appliances with specified distances, adjust island height, adjust countertop overhang, and even customize finishes.
- 99% of initial homeowner designs change: Most homeowners make a good initial design, but it needs refinement to ensure the layout is fully functional and practical for their needs. A Design Expert has a keen eye for this, and will make sure the final layout reflects how you will actually use your outdoor kitchen.
- They can save you money: Many homeowners pack too many appliances or other features into their design that won’t actually get used. A Design Expert will help you hone in on the features that are most important to you, so you don’t waste money on things you won’t use.
- Realistic expectations for finishes: While the design tool is a good starting point, it won’t show you what our outdoor kitchen finishes look like in the real world. By speaking with a Design Expert, you’ll get access to a full library of real-life projects to see what each finish actually looks like.
- They’ll double-check compatibility: When you speak with a Design Expert, they will also assess your backyard area where your future outdoor kitchen will go. By understanding the particulars of your backyard, they may recommend changes to your outdoor kitchen design to make sure the project is a good fit for your space.
Managing unknowns: With an outdoor kitchen project, there are a lot of unknowns that come up at various points in the process. A Design Expert will help you tackle those unknowns head-on, so you can get the full picture and make the right decision for your
Ready to Collaborate with a Design Expert?
Real-Life Examples of How Designers Improved Design Tool Layouts from Homeowners
Below are several real-life examples of how Design Experts made improvements on a homeowner’s initial design submission.
Adam’s Charcoal Plank Outdoor Kitchen
When Adam created his L-shaped outdoor kitchen using RTA’s design tool… he knew it wasn’t fully optimized to his existing backyard space, but he wasn’t able to further customize how the islands were placed. Ideally, he wanted to add more counter space and a griddle.
Adam’s Design Expert was able to make the exact adjustments he needed. After seeing what Adam’s backyard space looked like, this Designer separated the islands rather than keeping them in an L-shape form. This allowed the grill island to be extended, making room for more countertop area and a griddle… and moving the floating island allowed Adam to maximize seating capacity.
Bill & Holly’s Galley Outdoor Kitchen
Bill and Holly knew they wanted an outdoor kitchen near their pool, and at first… this started off as a galley layout. But after further conversation with a Design Expert, they realized that the long bar island would get in the way of people getting out of the pool, so this layout option wouldn’t work.
Instead of dropping the bar island entirely, Bill and Holly’s Design Expert suggested a smaller, table-style island off to the side. This table island is shorter in height, so lower barstools and chairs can be used for guests to sit there. There’s a countertop overhang so seating is available on all sides, and the umbrella was added to provide comfortable shade.
Arun’s Stacked Stone Grilling Station
Initially, Arun submitted a simple linear island design intended to be placed inside his wooden shed. When he got in touch with a Design Expert, his Designer began discussing proper safety appliance set-backs and clearance to combustible materials. Through this conversation, Arun realized that his wooden shed wasn’t a safe location for an outdoor kitchen setup, and he had to rethink placement.
Ultimately, Arun wanted to create a centralized entertainment space. He wanted friends and family to interact with him while he was cooking, but also not get in the way when he is grilling! In order to create the space for this, Arun built a back porch, and worked with his Designer to create a functional L-shape layout. The sink is right next to the home’s window, so Arun has indoor-outdoor connectivity with the guests inside, and there’s now much more space for everyone to gather.
Brad’s L-Shape Patio Design
Brad’s first outdoor kitchen design was for a U-shaped layout. But when he and his Design Expert started cross-referencing his backyard space… they discovered this U-shape layout simply wouldn’t fit in his existing backyard space. Brad also wanted to make sure that the entire outdoor kitchen surface stayed the same height (rather than grill and bar island heights in the initial design), and he didn’t want to have to install a railing behind the island.
With some reworking, Brad’s Designer came up with an L-shape layout that perfectly nestles into the edge of the patio, avoiding the need for a railing. Both islands are the same height as well, matching Brad’s vision for a smooth, uninterrupted countertop surface.
So, is it Worth Speaking to a Design Expert?
Ultimately, only you can decide whether or not you’d benefit from speaking with a Design Expert… but to us the evidence is clear: yes!
There are so many factors that come into play when creating an outdoor kitchen design, and speaking with a Design Expert is a great way to take some of that pressure off. You’ll get the comfort of knowing you’re collaborating with a seasoned professional, and they’ll be able to create a layout that’s truly compatible with your space and needs.
So if you’re feeling ready, why not book a free call with a Designer? You can do so right below.
