Over the past few years, outdoor kitchens have become more and more popular as a focal point of outdoor get-togethers. They're ideal for summer when you don't want to further heat up the house by cooking. Here, JK Landscape Construction, an experienced landscape design service in Clearwater, MN, discusses some of the latest trends in outdoor kitchen layouts and designs.

5 Popular Outdoor Kitchen Trends

1. Pizza Ovens

Pizza is a favorite meal for the whole family, and a homemade pie cooked in a wood-fired backyard oven is a real treat. Or, if you prefer simplicity of use over gourmet quality, consider a basic gas-fired model instead. Either way, your family will enjoy crispy, gooey deliciousness straight from your outdoor kitchen.

2. Modular Design

Outdoor kitchens have become so popular you can now buy them in modular form. Each piece is constructed in the factory with the look of custom brick, tile, or stonework and shipped separately to your home, where it can be installed in a matter of only a few hours.

3. Multiple Cooktops

For many people, a single gas grill is no longer sufficient. The latest trend is to install multiple cooking surfaces, including a charcoal grill, one or two gas or electric burners for side dishes, a ceramic smoker, and a gas or wood-fired oven. It'll handle any recipe you can throw at it, and you never have to set foot indoors.

4. Bar Stool Seating

Nothing creates as communal an atmosphere as inviting friends and family to belly up to the bar as you prepare a meal. Bar style seating around your outdoor kitchen counter is both comfortable and companionable and is an ideal way to socialize while the cook prepares dinner.

5. Indoor-Outdoor Flooring

The final trend for 2018 is that homeowners seek to blur the lines between the indoor and outdoor spaces. By choosing indoor-outdoor flooring, the interior of your home flows seamlessly into the outdoor kitchen. Porcelain or tile that mimics stone or wood make terrific choices and help you create a single, multifaceted entertainment space.

An outdoor kitchen is ideal for entertaining, and the suggestions above are some of the most popular current trends. To discuss landscape design options, contact JK Landscape Construction in Wright County. For over a decade, they've been providing customers with the most attractive water features, retaining walls, and patio installations available. Visit their website to learn more about the company or call (320) 558-4445 to speak with a landscaping specialist.