8 Ways to Remodel Your Indoor Kitchen to Get an Outdoor Vibe
Try these tricks for bringing the great outdoors inside
Jennifer Ott
31 August 2022
San Francisco-based architectural color specialist and design writer. Jennifer's work has been featured in many print and online publications. Her recently-published book, "1000 Ideas for Color Schemes," is a beautifully illustrated and easy-to-navigate guide that takes the guesswork out of selecting the perfect color palette for your home or special event. For more information on Jennifer Ott Design, visit http://jenottdesign.com/.
San Francisco-based architectural color specialist and design writer. Jennifer's... More
I may have an unhealthy obsession with outdoor kitchens. When I want to relax, I’ll pore over ideas and images of stunning outdoor spaces dedicated to cooking, eating and entertaining. Same goes when I can’t sleep. Instead of counting sheep, I create mental floor plans of outdoor kitchens for my house and for the homes of family and friends.
My ideal outdoor kitchen would be outfitted with a sink, top-of-the-line grill, exterior-grade appliances and plenty of counter space for cooking and entertaining. Alas, I’ve yet to realize this dream amenity since there’s always some obstacle — budget, bugs, climate, space limitations — standing in my way.
Fortunately there are many ways to create an outdoor feeling in an indoor kitchen.
Fortunately there are many ways to create an outdoor feeling in an indoor kitchen.
1. Location, Location, Location
The best way to bring an outdoor vibe to an indoor kitchen is to maximize the amount of natural light pouring in throughout the day. If you are building from scratch or have a healthy remodeling budget to tap into, think about positioning your kitchen to receive maximum daylight.
South-facing kitchens receive the most sun, whereas kitchens oriented to the north receive the least amount of sunlight. Of course, the downside to a south-facing kitchen is the additional solar heat gain, so if you live in a hot climate, you may wish to orient the kitchen to the east to capture the soft morning light.
The best way to bring an outdoor vibe to an indoor kitchen is to maximize the amount of natural light pouring in throughout the day. If you are building from scratch or have a healthy remodeling budget to tap into, think about positioning your kitchen to receive maximum daylight.
South-facing kitchens receive the most sun, whereas kitchens oriented to the north receive the least amount of sunlight. Of course, the downside to a south-facing kitchen is the additional solar heat gain, so if you live in a hot climate, you may wish to orient the kitchen to the east to capture the soft morning light.
2. Add Oversized Glass Doors
Relocating the kitchen is not in the budget for most of us, but there are other design moves you can make that allow sunlight to flow in without hitting your pocketbook quite as hard. You could create an indoor-outdoor flow in the kitchen by literally breaking the barrier between the two with large glass doors. If you are fortunate to live in a bug-free climate, you can keep the doors wide open and really amplify the connection to the outdoors.
Relocating the kitchen is not in the budget for most of us, but there are other design moves you can make that allow sunlight to flow in without hitting your pocketbook quite as hard. You could create an indoor-outdoor flow in the kitchen by literally breaking the barrier between the two with large glass doors. If you are fortunate to live in a bug-free climate, you can keep the doors wide open and really amplify the connection to the outdoors.
3. Be Generous With the Windows
Given a choice between windows and wall cabinets, I will always root for windows. Yes, you lose some storage space, but what you gain in natural light — and if you’re lucky, views — is worth the loss of a few cabinets, in my opinion. Make up for lost storage space by installing tall pantry cabinets on an interior wall, where you can’t have windows.
Given a choice between windows and wall cabinets, I will always root for windows. Yes, you lose some storage space, but what you gain in natural light — and if you’re lucky, views — is worth the loss of a few cabinets, in my opinion. Make up for lost storage space by installing tall pantry cabinets on an interior wall, where you can’t have windows.
4. Go Big With Skylights
If large glass doors and windows aren’t an option, perhaps you can install a series of skylights or light tubes. This is a great way to compensate for the lack of natural light common to north-facing and interior-sited kitchens. Just keep in mind that skylights turn into black boxes at night, so be sure to work in enough light fixtures to keep the space properly lighted at night.
See more on adding skylights
If large glass doors and windows aren’t an option, perhaps you can install a series of skylights or light tubes. This is a great way to compensate for the lack of natural light common to north-facing and interior-sited kitchens. Just keep in mind that skylights turn into black boxes at night, so be sure to work in enough light fixtures to keep the space properly lighted at night.
See more on adding skylights
5. Bring Exterior Elements Inside
Another trick for faking an outdoor kitchen is to bring materials traditionally associated with the outside in, such as charming brick pavers for a kitchen floor. The inclusion of natural wood materials, seen in the ceiling beams, also contributes to an outdoorsy feel in this space.
Another trick for faking an outdoor kitchen is to bring materials traditionally associated with the outside in, such as charming brick pavers for a kitchen floor. The inclusion of natural wood materials, seen in the ceiling beams, also contributes to an outdoorsy feel in this space.
6. Get Colorful
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to bring a bit of the outdoors in is through the use of color. Think soothing, soft sky blues, verdant greens and sunny yellows for a little dose of the colors we associate with being outside.
See 8 great kitchen cabinet color palettes
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to bring a bit of the outdoors in is through the use of color. Think soothing, soft sky blues, verdant greens and sunny yellows for a little dose of the colors we associate with being outside.
See 8 great kitchen cabinet color palettes
7. Grow Your Greens
Another element that immediately calls to mind exterior spaces is live plants. If you don’t have the space outside for a garden, perhaps you can bring one inside. This window-mounted herb garden is a fantastic, space-saving way to grow and use herbs right in the kitchen where you need them. Vases with fresh-cut flowers or pots of your favorite houseplants are other ways to add a touch of nature to an indoor kitchen.
See how to grow herbs indoors
Another element that immediately calls to mind exterior spaces is live plants. If you don’t have the space outside for a garden, perhaps you can bring one inside. This window-mounted herb garden is a fantastic, space-saving way to grow and use herbs right in the kitchen where you need them. Vases with fresh-cut flowers or pots of your favorite houseplants are other ways to add a touch of nature to an indoor kitchen.
See how to grow herbs indoors
8. Keep It Airy and Open
If you are going for an outdoor vibe in your kitchen, try keeping the space as open, clean and uncluttered as possible. With ample light and an open feel, you can fake it like it’s the great outdoors.
Your turn: How have you created an outdoor vibe in your indoor kitchen? Show us in the Comments.
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If you are going for an outdoor vibe in your kitchen, try keeping the space as open, clean and uncluttered as possible. With ample light and an open feel, you can fake it like it’s the great outdoors.
Your turn: How have you created an outdoor vibe in your indoor kitchen? Show us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
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Love bringing the outdoor feel in. South facing remodel - with large slider, awning window that brings in light. Sage and wood accents.
Hhhmm is there such a place as an insect free area? Maybe up on a high rise apartment?
nice!