Can an Outdoor Kitchen Increase Your Home Value?

Posted On Tuesday, 07 March 2023 20:23

Clever homeowners are always interested in making upgrades that can improve their quality of life while simultaneously boosting the value of their home. One option is to install an outdoor kitchen, giving you the ability to cook, eat, and entertain guests outside; but is this a legitimate way to increase your home value? And if so, what are the best appliances and pieces of equipment to install?

What Is an Outdoor Kitchen?

An outdoor kitchen is basically a space to cook and prepare food outdoors. An indoor kitchen is typically equipped with at least a refrigerator, a stove, an oven, countertops, and a sink and faucet, but outdoor kitchens are much more flexible and modular.

Some outdoor kitchens are stocked with every appliance and device you can imagine, complete with hookups for natural gas, electricity, and running water. Others are extremely simple, such as offering only a brick pizza oven and some bench seating.

Your outdoor kitchen can take whatever form you want, but you should consider the following:

  •       A refrigerator. A refrigerator allows you to store cold ingredients and keep cold foods cold before serving them. Even if you only have a small one, this can be a massive benefit.
  •       A pizza oven. An outdoor pizza oven is a specialty piece of equipment, but you don't have to use it exclusively for cooking pizzas. That said, if you've never had a homemade pizza straight from an outdoor pizza oven, you're missing out.
  •       A stovetop. Traditional and flattop stoves make it easy to cook a variety of foods. You'll just need an electrical or natural gas hookup.
  •       A sink and faucet. If you can get running water, a sink and faucet can provide you with all the water you need for cooking and cleanup.
  •       Counter space. Whether you're more interested in preparing foods or serving them, you'll need plenty of counter space to make it happen.
  •       Storage. You'll also need some space where you can store your pots, pans, utensils, and other kitchen needs. Cabinets and drawers can be highly convenient here.
  •       Lighting. If you plan on hosting parties or cooking at night, you'll also want to invest in the lighting above and around the area.
  •       Seating. Don't forget seats! One of the best perks of having an outdoor kitchen is getting to eat outside.

Can an Outdoor Kitchen Increase Your Home Value?

So now for the central question. Can an outdoor kitchen increase the value of your home?

The short answer is yes. On average, an outdoor kitchen can return around 71 percent of what you spend in terms of home value. In other words, if you spend $10,000 on your outdoor kitchen, your home value will increase an average of $7,100. There's no guarantee that you'll see such a high increase in your homes value, and much depends on the nature of your outdoor kitchen and the area in which you live. Still, this is an impressive ROI for a home improvement project.

This isn't a project you should consider when flipping a home; even if you plan this project frugally, you're not going to increase the value of your home by more than what you spent on the project. But if you're going to enjoy your outdoor kitchen for many years, the outdoor kitchen can eventually pay for itself.

Tips for Success

If you want to maximize the benefits and financial rewards of an outdoor kitchen, follow these tips:

  •       Plan for the long term. Installing an outdoor kitchen isn't a get rich quick scheme. Think for the long term, planning for both the practicality of the kitchen and its influence on your home value. It's also good to leave some room for expansion, in case you want to add more in the future.
  •       Shop around. Shop around so you can find the best deals for what you need.
  •       Hire pros for utilities. Utility hookups can be both complicated and dangerous, so make sure you hire professional, experienced contractors for the job.
  •       Strive for neutral choices. Many real estate experts advise homeowners to paint their walls neutral colors. You should strive for neutral outdoor kitchen choices for the same reason; try to build a kitchen that anyone could enjoy.
  •       Get value from your outdoor kitchen. Part of the value of an outdoor kitchen is personal enjoyment, so get plenty of personal use out of it.
  •       Time your sale appropriately. Try to enjoy your kitchen for at least a few years before you finally sell your home.

 

Installing an outdoor kitchen isn't going to double your home’s value, but it can significantly increase your sale price – especially if you choose the right combination of appliances and an aesthetically pleasing, neutral design. If you plan on adding an outdoor kitchen, make sure you do all your due diligence in advance.

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