Image number 32 of the current section of 5 Tips For Creating an Indoor-Outdoor Kitchen in Cosentino Australia

5 Tips For Creating an Indoor-Outdoor Kitchen

Tags: Dekton by Cosentino, myperfectkitchen, Projects, Silestone | 3 years ago | Written by: Cosentino

5 Tips For Creating an Indoor-Outdoor Kitchen If you’re renovating a kitchen, chances are you’ll want a design that connects seamlessly to your outdoor cooking and entertaining space. It’s easy to see why; an indoor-outdoor kitchen extends your usable living space, encourages year-round entertaining, and makes your home feel larger and more inviting. Here’s how to achieve an indoor-outdoor kitchen:  data-lazy-srcset= 1. Extend your benchtops So how do you make your indoor kitchen relate visually and spatially to your outdoor cooking space? The answer: your benchtop. If your alfresco area is next to your indoor kitchen, consider running the benchtop from inside to out. Having a continuous benchtop will blur the lines between interior and exterior, while adding a sense of spaciousness and giving you oodles more prep room. As a guide, you’ll want at least one metre of outdoor bench space to create a practical prep zone. If your layout means the two cooking areas are separated, you can still create a sense of connection between them by using the same or similar benchtop and joinery materials inside and out. Choosing the right materials for the job is crucial; you’ll want ones that not only cope with the rigours of everyday cooking, but outdoor conditions too. Dekton® by Cosentino is an incredibly hard-wearing surface that is perfect for indoor-to-outdoor applications. Use it on benchtops, floors, cabinetry or walls inside and out to create a truly seamless look. It comes in 40 on-trend colours, including soft neutrals and ones that mimic natural stone, and a range of appealing textures. Plus, it’s UV-, stain-, scratch- and heat-resistant so you know it will look great and perform brilliantly for years. Another winning option is Silestone® by Cosentino, a high-performance surface that allows you to create a luxe look with minimal maintenance in your kitchen, bathroom and living spaces. It comes in 50 fashionable shades, including ones that give the luxurious look of marble and concrete. It’s scratch-, stain- and impact-resistant, and comes in super-size slabs so you can achieve expansive benchtops, sidings and floors without visible joints. Match Silestone® indoors with an outdoor-friendly Dekton® surface in your alfresco area. Or mix Silestone® with other outdoor-friendly finishes, such as timber and stainless steel, for a warm, layered look inside and out.  data-lazy-srcset= 2. Carry through your flooring Enhance the indoor-outdoor connection further by specifying the same or similar flooring inside and out. It’s a particularly clever move if your kitchen is small as it’s hard for the eye to distinguish where the indoor space ends and the outdoor one begins, making the overall space appear bigger. Tiles, timber and concrete all look fantastic indoors and they’re tough enough to cope with external conditions. If you specify tiles outdoors, make sure they are designed for exterior use and have extra slip resistance. Dekton® Grip+ is a superior new anti-slip treatment that offers exceptional performance and is suitable for interior and exterior flooring.  Grip+ enables Dekton® to be used where a high level of slip resistance is required, maximising safety in high-traffic and wet environments. 3. Keep it even Thresholds – or lack of – are important when you’re looking to create indoor-outdoor flow. Stepping up or down from your inside space to your outdoor one gives the immediate impression of moving from one distinct zone to another. To make the two areas feel connected, ensure the floor level is even inside and out, with no lumpy thresholds.  data-lazy-srcset= 4. Go for wide openings Emphasise indoor-outdoor flow by allowing the two spaces to open up completely with bi-fold, stacking or pocket-slider doors. This eliminates any physical barriers between the two areas and rewards you with unimpeded views. Also consider adding a servery window. This makes it easy to pass food and drinks outside, while giving light and views a further boost. Add a shallow counter and some bar stools and you’ve got a useful extra casual dining zone. Just make sure you’ve got the room; as a guide, you’ll need around 70-75cm counter space for each person to sit comfortably and be able to get in and out of their seats.  data-lazy-srcset= 5. Allow for clean sightlines  Keep sightlines clear by positioning furniture so it’s not obscuring your exterior doors. This allows the eye to move from inside to out and makes the space appear as one interconnected area. It also makes it easier for guests to move comfortably through the space and encourages them to gravitate outdoors rather than blocking up your kitchen. Explore the full range of Dekton® and Silestone® here Photography: Kristian van der Beek and Real Image Media Developer: Reno Inspo