Check All the Boxes With an Outdoor Kitchen and Outdoor Fireplace in the Ann Arbor, MI Area

Check All the Boxes With an Outdoor Kitchen and Outdoor Fireplace in the Ann Arbor, MI Area

When you love to entertain and host your friends and loved ones, there is nothing quite like an Ann Arbor, MI area outdoor kitchen and fireplace combo to check all the boxes for comfort and enjoyment. Since you can choose the style and placement of these outdoor living features, your backyard area can become a refreshing place to spend time outdoors. Here are some ideas to consider in outdoor kitchen and fireplace duos.

Related: Does Your Idea of the Perfect Entertainment Space Include an Outdoor Fireplace and Outdoor Kitchen in Ann Arbor, MI?

Outdoor Kitchens

For anyone who loves to cook and entertain, having an outdoor kitchen can be a dream come true. While the appliances can certainly be important, your outdoor kitchen is more about the memories you can make with people you love.

An outdoor kitchen can be as elaborate or simple as you want but having all the conveniences at your fingertips without the mess and stress of people gathering in the kitchen can prove to make this outdoor living area the best place to cook for a crowd.

Your outdoor kitchen could include appliance basics like a deep sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop. Of course, you will want a gas grill or two and a smoker for that juicy, perfectly cooked meat, but adding a pizza oven can expand your options for what to feed your crew. The pizza from this oven tastes like the specialty pizza you enjoy at the gourmet pizza shop. Plus, the option for everyone to make their own pizza means you don’t have to get multiple pizzas to please each palette.

You may want to consider an ice maker for the ease of having unlimited ice for snow cones for the kids, and adult slushies and a bar area can be ideal for a wine cooler. When your countertops extend over the cabinet edges, you can add bar stools for extra seating when the food is ready.

Outdoor Fireplaces

Adding an outdoor fireplace to your new backyard area can introduce a matchless ambiance and warmth that draws your guests and encourages them to relax for a while. You might like the option of having the fireplace near the outdoor kitchen so your guests can move back and forth with ease.

You might also like the idea of adding a retaining wall to the outdoor fireplace area so it is set off from the kitchen but still close by. This can increase the coziness of the space and offer some privacy if you need it.

Outdoor fireplaces can burn wood or gas for a warm fire that is always welcome. Since the size of the outdoor fireplace can be dependent on the available space, your fire feature can be whatever size you prefer.

Of course, you can also consider placing the outdoor fireplace in another part of the backyard to encourage your guests to mill around and use the whole space. When the fireplace is connected to the patio and outdoor kitchen with irregular stepping stones or a paver walkway, the two outdoor living spaces can have a unified look and function.

Another alternative if you choose to have the fireplace away from the outdoor kitchen can be to add a fire pit for more access to the warmth. You can never have too much warmth! You may discover that two fire features are better than one.

Related: Create New Memories All Centered Around an Outdoor Fireplace or Fire Pit in the Bloomfield Township and Ann Arbor, MI Areas

About the Author

Troy Clogg Landscape Associates was born in the early ’80s by Troy and friend Greg Counsell. Today, Troy Clogg Landscape Associates is one of the largest and most successful landscape and snow removal companies, offering residential and commercial clients landscape design and construction, as well as snow and ice removal for businesses throughout Southeast Michigan. Our teams bring passion to every project, along with professional service, a large fleet of equipment, cutting-edge products, and out-of-the-box thinking to meet all of your needs.