WES Blog

The demand for outdoor kitchens is heating up as the sluggish economy forces families to spend more time entertaining at home.

Five years ago, outdoor kitchens were rarely heard of here. But over the past year, the demand has skyrocketed.

People are spending more money on their homes rather than taking elaborate vacations. They want to make investments in their homes that will increase the resale value later on when they can sell.

At its most minimal, an outdoor kitchen can consist of a grill, work surface, and dining area, but additional amenities can maximize its use and appeal.

An outdoor refrigerator allows you to keep cold food and beverages right next to the grill or pool area. A side burner is another handy option – you can grill kabobs and boil corn without having to run back and forth to the house.

When it comes to features, homeowners are tailoring their spaces to their lifestyles and including little luxuries. Cooks are adding ice-makers, pizza ovens, ceramic Japanese style grills, outdoor rotisseries, and smokers.

Another popular item is a 'kegerator,' ( by  Twin Eagles) a cold tap for a beer keg, and granite is the top choice by customers for countertops.

If you plan on using your kitchen year round, consider an overhang to shelter the area from rain. Overhead lighting and a firepit can create a comfortable atmosphere, even on chilly days.

When entertaining a big crowd, outdoor kitchens allow you to keep everyone outside, and let you to mingle with your guests while cooking, to be a part of the party.

Homeowners are also spending on decks and stone paver patios.

West Sport in Sudbury works with grill manufacturers, paving companies and contractors to help you design the best outdoor kitchen and living space for your needs and your yard. Complete with a stone patio, outdoor kitchen, deck, firepit and landscaping, West Sport can also help incorporate furniture placement.

Drive by West Sport on route 20 in Sudbury and see the beautiful built in grill by Twin Eagles on our newly built patio.

Original article on SiLive.com by Sharon Cohen

Home and gardening experts are seeing increasing trends that are integrating outdoor living spaces more and more into daily life. This is mainly due to the increase of "staycations" due to the sluggish economy. Locally, there is a growing demand for outdoor living areas. Homeowners are adding outdoor living spaces such as outdoor kitchens and patios, with all weather furniture and fireplaces.  Outdoor fire pits are big now, and so are Kamado Joe and Primo Smokers.

A week-long family vacation for four to Walt Disney World can cost $5,000 or more. Instead, homeowners are opting to increase the functionality and value of their homes with outdoor living areas. These spaces also provide relaxing backdrops for time with family and friends.

This type of project can be easily budgeted as well. Homeowners can put in the patio and outdoor grill area first, and then add the sink and counter space or the more expensive furniture later on. As long as it's well planned, it won't look piecemealed together.
 
West Sport in Sudbury specializes in upscale exterior living spaces and can handle everything from helping with grill styles and needs, to cabinet and counter configurations, to outdoor kitchen plans and installation. Larry, the owner of West Sport says "You should have an idea of what you want in your outdoor living space and to be sure to make the area big enough to handle it. Often people want to fit a table and chairs, a grill and a fire pit, but then they don't have room to walk around."

West Sport prides themselves on their breadth of products and new showroom. It provides an area where customers can visualize and touch the products. The showroom features many components of an outdoor kitchen, fireplaces and fire pits; and a new patio is being built in order to showcase pavers and patio benches.
 
"Bring us a general idea of what you want or would like to have," Larry says. "Come on in and look at the stuff; touch it, feel it, and see what you like and what will work for you."