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8 Ideas to Keep in Mind for Creating the Perfect Outdoor Bar and Grill Area

Dotcom Design • May 07, 2020

An outdoor bar and grill area is just what you need to take outdoor enjoyment and entertainment to the next level. Here are eight ideas to keep in mind as you start planning and designing your new entertainment space.

Create the Ultimate Cooking Station

To create the perfect outdoor bar and grill area, you will need the ultimate cooking station. You might want to install your own outdoor kitchen complete with all the right amenities including a built-in grill, side burners, sink, counterspace, storage and access doors, a mini fridge, and a pull-out trash can.

According to Keystone Custom Decks , it’s key to have a carefully placed cooking space that’s close to the door, house and seating area to make cooking as convenient as possible. That way, when you are needing to run back inside for cooking utensils or ingredients, you won’t have to trip over half your yard to do so—all the while your burger patties start burning. Having a quality cooking station will make your outdoor cooking and grilling days a breeze!

Add a Bar Station

According to The BBQ Guys , a great addition to an outdoor kitchen is a bar station. That way, you can have your dream outdoor grill and bar area—perfect for entertainment or a few romantic, late-night drinks under the stars. Depending on the feel you are looking for, you may opt for a DIY mini bar or a luxurious, built-in backyard bar.

There are plenty of different styles to choose from when it comes to adding a bar station. If you want a relaxed, fun ‘tiki’ bar, consider adding a gabled roof with the potential to be modified into a genuine ‘tiki’ thatch roof. If you are going for a little less elaborate or a classier look, the next best thing is to install a minimalist L-shaped or U-shaped mini bar. There are portable options as well if you choose not to have a bar built into your outdoor kitchen.

Include an Entertainment Center

Want to spice up your outdoor entertainment abilities? Then add an entertainment center! This is truly a backyard essential. While there are portable options at many local furniture stores, you may want to get your entertainment center custom built. That way, the materials will be more ground and durable and the style will work perfectly with the rest of the patio.

Furnish your entertainment center with an outdoor-rated TV. According to AudioVideo Innovations, not all TVs that you might put indoors are great for being outdoors because of things like brightness. You’ll also probably want cabinet enclosures, and a quality surround-sound system. Finish it off with some comfy seating. Only then will you be ready for that outdoor movie night or big sports game.

Decorate with Vintage Decorations

Every outdoor bar and grill needs personality. What better way to add personality than some unique vintage décor? Impress your neighbors with a flower display using an old-fashioned ladder. Add some character with antique lanterns or refurbished milk pails. Throw in some vintage prints or add a pop of color by putting some hydrangeas in a retired wheelbarrow. To add a more masculine touch to the grill area, showcase some old finds such as old-fashioned beer glasses or vintage wood shaft golf clubs.

Seating Arrangements

Before choosing the right seating arrangements for your outdoor bar and grill area, ask yourself what you want the goal or purpose of the area to be. Depending on how you plan to use your outdoor entertainment center and kitchen, you will want different seating arrangements.

For example, if you want to use the space for getting together with your buddies to watch a sporting event, you may want a swivel chair and ample couch space for a large group of people. Are you a person who likes to sit outside and read or drink tea while you watch the sun rising? If this is the case, a couple of cozy armchairs will suit your needs better. If you’re a person who likes to invite the whole neighborhood over for a party, you’ll need different things to suit your needs. If you’re a person who likes to entertain outdoors a lot, you might want to make sure you have lots of different seating arrangement options for people. Consider different options such as couches, lawn chairs, and bar stools.

Roof or No?

While planning your dream outdoor bar and grill, you may be wondering whether you should add in a roof or not. While they tend to be pricey to install, adding a roof over your entertainment space may be a good investment to your backyard. Especially if you live in a hot and sunny area, roofs provide ample shade and keep you and your guests cool all summer long. If you live in an area that frequently receives precipitation or extreme weather, a roof will be key to protecting your outdoor furniture.

Lighting

Lighting is one of those things that can take your backyard from drab to fab at the flick of a switch. If you entertain outdoors a lot, think about how you want your guests to perceive your backyard. According to Shades of Light , outdoor lighting is one of the first things guests will notice when they visit your home, so you’ll want to make a good first impression. There are many ways to utilize lighting in a bar and grill area. Get crafty and string some lights across your area’s beams or nearby trees. Add some tiki torches if you want a more playful option. Highlight your landscape or best outdoor features with flood lights or spotlights.

Good lighting will ensure that you can take the party from inside to outside with ease. Nothing is more disappointing than having a greater outdoor space to entertain without enough light to actually enjoy it once the sun sets.

Fireplace

Another great addition to your bar and grill that you should definitely consider is a fireplace. Custom create your own outdoor fireplace with either stone, concrete, or brick. For a less pricy option, get a portable outdoor fireplace or chiminea. If you want something a bit more rustic or better for s’mores, build your own raised, brick fire pit into your entertainment space. Just make sure to always burn things responsibly, as any fire pit or fireplace can pose a hazard if caution isn’t taken seriously.

Building and decorating your dream outdoor bar and grill area can be an exciting adventure. There are so many different amenities and accessories you can include to make your entertainment space one of a kind. However, before you start planning out your outdoor space, make sure you prioritize the outdoor elements that align closest with how you and your family plan to use this space.

If you’re ready to build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams, contact us for a quote today!

By Dotcom Design 13 Jan, 2021
You may be on the fence about working with house builders in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, Iowa, believing that it may be simpler just to buy a home that already exists and adapt it to your needs. Unfortunately, you are mistaken in that belief – building a home is a great way to craft a dream house that suits your needs as a person and makes you happy as an individual. Let's take a look at a few reasons why working with these professionals is such a wise choice for homeowners like you. Builders Save You Money Though you may think that house builders would ultimately cost you more money than it would to simply buy a traditional home, there are many reasons why they can save you money. Just a few of these unexpected money-saving benefits include: Cheaper Materials – Note that when we say "cheap," we don't mean "low quality." Instead, builders can access high-quality materials at discount prices and save you cash by creating a home using these materials instead of building a house yourself. Personalized Look – Though we'll discuss this point in more depth in a later section, we want to point out that building your dream home is a safer and easier way to find it than trying to upgrade a home that already exists and make it suitable for your living situation. Longer Lifespan – When you buy a home that already exists, you are also investing in the flaws of its structure that may shorten how long it lasts. As a result, building a home will save you money by creating a house that is stronger and more capable of long-term strength and stability. Upgrades You Want – Producing a dream home requires you to understand precisely what you want and to have builders update its structure in ways that make sense for you. If you have these upgrades available from the start, you won't have to worry about the quality of your home at all. These benefits all make house builders a great investment if you're trying to save money on your building process. However, there are other benefits that you need to consider before you choose one of these builders. We'll compile most of these advantages into one section and break them down, as we did the list above, to make it easier for you to build a home that suits your specific needs. Other Benefits to Consider Utilizing house builders for your house design and construction project saves you a lot of money, it is true, but that's not all of the benefits that this choice provides. By working with these professionals, you give yourself the unique opportunity to build a home that you want without a lot of compromises. And you can achieve this goal and the benefits below only when you work with professionals of the highest quality: Streamlined Design – Rather than relying on somebody to handle all of the design and building elements separately, you can use a builder to design your home using your concepts. They can then build it and create an easy-to-pay package for you that considers various elements of your finances and provides you with the best chance of keeping your home attractive and safe. Easier Living Environment – Rather than trying to find a home and a neighborhood that meets your needs, you can buy a vacant lot or destroy an existing home in a community that you want to live in and then build your dream home there. This step is a good one because it allows you the personalization that you want and deserve for your home and lets you live where you want. As you can see, the benefits of using house builders are such that you shouldn't ignore them for your needs. By crafting the house of your dream with these professionals, you give yourself the best chance of satisfaction in this process. Even better, you create a more relaxing environment that meets your needs and ensures that you and others are happy with your house's overall look and style. Don't Neglect Our Help As you can see, the best house builders in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, Iowa, provide a staggering array of benefits that make them more than worth your time and money. Even if you end up spending a little more time waiting for your home to get built, this investment is one that you'll never regret. So please don't hesitate to contact us today at Coohey Construction to learn more. Our professionals will sit down with you and discuss your home construction projects and make sure they meet your needs.
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They serve a very important purpose on the market and are skilled at making homes that follow a very specific mold. That ability isn't one that should be knocked or put down. However, you are more interested in a home that is unique and which truly stands out from others. In this situation, custom home designs are better for you. That said, builders who specialize in custom homes are, undoubtedly, more skilled at producing memorable designs that you will never forget. They bring a type of professionalism to each job that you can't get from other experts. As a result, they are an excellent choice if you want to make sure that your home stands out and is as strongly built as possible for your living needs. A Unique Home Experience When you buy a pre-fab home, you cut out a lot of different costs and expenses. First of all, you eliminate the need for designing, which can be quite costly in some cases. 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For example, you could add unique exterior decorations that draw attention to different aspects of your home. These include enhanced lighting elements, improved patio designs, more elegant sidewalk styles, and stronger and more resistant siding options. You should also move indoors and upgrade the style of your home in various ways, such as adding high-quality appliances that stand out from other homes in your area. Doing so will ensure that you get the best home that your money can buy. That said, you want to make sure that your home isn't too wild in its design, or it may be less likely to sell. That's because people often want a simple design on which they can add their own style. If you add too many wild touches, your home may be too quirky for those who are interested in a purchase. That said, you can still create a fun and engaging look with a custom home builder to ensure that your house is attractive to more people. 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For example, if a house down the street has a castle-style look to it and you want to emulate it, your builders can tweak the look to make it unique for you. The best approach here is to not only make a home individualistic but capable of easy adjustment by others. Upgrade a Home's Appearance Even if you already own a home or have built one before talking to custom builders, that doesn't mean that you can't use them to enhance your home value. Many of these experts also work on upgrades and renovations to already-existing homes. And they can do a lot to not only make your home stand out on the market but increase its value at the same time as well. For example, you can contact a custom home builder to enhance different exterior and interior elements in your home. These professionals will offer these tweaks at a reasonable price, sometimes even at a discount. That's because they understand that they aren't entirely building a house but merely upgrading one. 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Understanding this element is crucial to your success on the home flipping market or if you want your house to sell later on in your life. For example, they will examine the different houses near you, assess their value, and decide on an approach that fits in with that market demand. Remember – if you build a cheap home in an area filled with expensive houses, you're going to struggle to find a buyer. The same is true in the opposite scenario. That element is just one reason why real estate is more complicated than it may seem to be on the surface by many people. As a result, you can get the high price that you deserve for your home, mainly if you focus on the right market. So make sure that you talk to a custom home builder about the different elements that you think will make a house stand out. Remember that you shouldn't add anything that is a bit above what the area may appreciate. And, as always, take the time to assess what different elements would look the best for a specific house and your personal style. Don't Neglect Help As you can see, the best custom home builder Coralville, Iowa has to offer can provide you with many real benefits. They will make your house look more attractive and, in many cases, make it easier to sell. You have to make sure that you follow the proper processes, though, to ensure that you get the best results. So please don't hesitate to contact us at Coohey Construction to learn more. Our experts have years of experience and can give you the high-quality building that you deserve.
By Dotcom Design 09 Nov, 2019
The best home remodeling in Iowa City, Iowa will help to make your home more attractive and increase its value at the same time. However, your family may have a hard time with this process due to various complications and difficulties. If this is true of your family, you need to talk to them right away about what to expect and to make plans that ensure everything goes more smoothly. Discuss Where You Can and Can't Go When going through home remodeling , there will be many places in the house where you can go and places where you cannot go. This situation is often a difficult one for some families to understand because they are so used to going where they want when they want. As a result, you need to sit down with the kids and your spouse to discuss a no-go zone during this process. A good no-go zone should give your workers plenty of room to work and to ensure that you and your family don't get in the way while they work. Just as importantly, a no-go zone protects you and your family to ensure no one gets injured. Talk to the workers at the beginning of each day to figure out where they'll be working and to come up with a safe area for you and your family away from that area. Make sure to tell any friends about this zone when they visit. If you have pets, it is crucial to find a way to keep them away from these areas as well. A doggy gate should be good enough for most canine pals, but cats may leap these gates. Instead, place their litter and food in a room in the house that you can shut off from the rest of the home. In this way, you can keep them away from the construction area and ensure that they are safe and don't annoy or frustrate your workers. Make Adjustments When Rooms are Off Limits The most frustrating aspect of the home remodeling process will be the inability to go in individual rooms while they are being improved. For example, you may be unable to go into the kitchen to make food or into your bedroom to sleep. As a result, you must talk with your family about this situation and come up with adjustments that ensure everything goes smoothly for you and them as well. For example, a small portable refrigerator may need to be installed in your garage and filled with snacks if your kitchen is unavailable. Place a small toaster oven in there, as well, so that you can cook small and simple meals for your family. Alternately, you can go out to eat or pick up pizza and make the situation a fun one that everybody can enjoy rather than an annoying one. And if your bedroom is off-limits, try to make a fun sleep out that the whole family can enjoy. Take sleeping bags into the living room and stay up late watching movies and eating popcorn. Alternately, if the weather is beautiful enough, you can camp outside in a tent and tell ghost stories. What if the bathroom is off-limits? You may need to talk to a neighbor about using theirs when you have to go or when showers are necessary. Store Important Items Temporarily Another step many families take during home remodeling is to relocate important items or store them during the building process. This step is often a crucial one because items like computers, televisions, video game systems, and other delicate products may get damaged during renovation. For example, saw dust may get into a computer's fan and clog it or cause other complications. Pack up any delicate electronic items in strong plastic containers and place them somewhere cool and moisture-free. Doing so ensures that these items are out of the way of your builders and protected from damage. Beyond this step, you may also want to pick up all of your child's toys, as these may not only get broken during the renovation, but can also cause accidents to the builders that may be quite severe. Before starting, talk to your builders about where they plan on going through the house and what kind of room that they need while working. While they may be able to safely walk through an area of your home, they may bump into items while carrying items such as boards or tiles. Try to make room for them by relocating your furniture or other items that may get in the way while they work and move through your home. Move the Family Temporarily If you find that you and your family cannot get comfortable during the home remodeling process and that you want to avoid it entirely, consider relocating. Plenty of people take this step and find that it is a rewarding one. For example, it will bring a family closer together by getting them to spend more time together. In this way, you can enhance your family interaction and have a fun time during renovation. Some families like to go to hotels during this period, especially if they have the money to spend. You may even be able to get your insurance company to pay for this stay if it is necessary for your home renovation. Try to find a hotel that has a swimming pool, an arcade, and other fun areas that your kids can enjoy. A restaurant is also a good idea because it can limit your need to prepare foods. If you can't afford a hotel or don't enjoy them, you may also want to consider taking the kids to a family member's house. Staying with their grandparents can be fun, particularly if the kids love them and you get along with them well enough. However, you may also want to take the kids to their friend's house – if the parents are okay with this – while you and your spouse go elsewhere. The choice is yours. Get the Best Help From Us So if you want the best home remodeling Iowa City, Iowa has to offer to you, contact us at Coohey Construction right away to learn more. Our professionals have years of experience helping people like you not only choose the best remodeling process for their needs but executing it at the highest possible level. Contact us today!
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