Summer is in full swing, and the weather on the lake is perfect for showing off that new pedicure. To follow up on last year’s post on the best waterfront shoes for Winter and Spring, we’re showing off the best shoes for summer when you live on the lake. So, whether you’re planning on braving the summer heat or simply enjoying the lake views from your home, there’s a perfect piece of footwear for you.
For this popular year-round activity, closed-toed shoes are a must. But during summertime, how do you avoid getting overheated in heavy footwear? Introducing the Merell Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boot. Designed for both men and women, these boots are highly rated on Amazon. While they are not water-resistant, they are specifically designed for summer weather with foot ventilation to allow air to escape. Ultra-comfortable, you also won’t worry about getting blisters while you’re on the trail!
Summertime always means it’s warm enough to go swimming in the lake. But what if you just want to wade in the lake water without injuring your feet on rocks? Check out these fun, simple, and brightly colored aqua shoes! The wave runner quick-drying shoes are lightweight, no-slip footwear perfect for immersing yourself in the lake. Plus, they come in lots of vibrant shades like bright red and neon yellow.
If there’s a season that’s prime time for relaxation, it’s summer. So, why not make every day at your lake house feel like a spa day? Once you experience these spa slippers, you’ll want to live in them all summer long. Made of soft, plush material with memory foam and arch support, these shoes are designed with maximum comfort in mind. The open-toed form allows your feet to breathe in warmer weather, so it’s time to toss those closed-toed wintertime house slippers to the side. This fuzzy and stylish footwear also comes in 16 different colors, so honestly, you could get one for every day of the week!
Remember those jelly sandals that you used to wear as a kid? Well, they’re back in style now and just in time for summer. From pop singer Katy Perry’s brand, these cute jelly sandals come in a variety of bright colors, and each strap features a cute symbol of summer. So whether it’s watermelon red or lemon yellow, you’ll be showcasing your summertime enthusiasm at the lake. Even better — these 90’s-inspired sandals are also scented, so say goodbye to stinky feet. These shoes prove that colorful footwear with fruity designs is not just for toddlers.
We hope these brands of fine footwear get you in the spirit of summer! Now get out there and enjoy the lake.
Especially when you’re living at the lake, the summer heat is no joke. When you’re out all day hiking, swimming, and boating, it can be easy to get overheated. This is because, in hot weather, we tend to lose our body fluids through sweat. So, in addition to staying hydrated by carrying portable water bottles around, you can also invest in some gadgets that help keep you cool this summer. From spinning fans to cooling towels, we’ve got you covered. Check out our top 5 recommendations.
If you ever went to sleep-away camp as a kid, this portable mini fan will bring back some nostalgia. These gadgets are practically emblematic of summer, and guess what? They never go out of style. Small and practical, these contraptions fit conveniently into bags and pockets. This way, it’s easy to take with you on outdoor excursions. Also, since it can usually run for up to 12-24 hours on a few AA batteries, it’s perfect for camping trips where you’ll need to stay cool for more extended periods of time.
Of course, water bottles are a timeless necessity for the summer. But what about keeping your face cool, in addition to your body? This water bottle from O2 Cool is equipped with a double feature — hydration and misting in one. Its medium size fits in most bicycle cages, and the carry loop provides easy transport so that you can bring it on many outdoor adventures. And the best part? It’s less than $10, so it’s very affordable for all lake lovers!
We’ve all been there. Getting out of the lake on a hot day, only to wrap yourself in an even hotter towel. So, when it comes to cooling gadgets at the lake, the cooling towel is essential. These towels are here to give you instant relief on hot days. Lightweight and eco-friendly, this towel is activated by soaking it in cold water, wringing it out, and packing it in the ziplock container. This way, the cold temperature of the towel is contained whenever you need it. It can even be used as a headband or bandana!
Sometimes, the heat exhaustion is extreme, and you need a solution that’s as cold as ice. Enter the ice roller. Keep this gadget in your freezer until you need it, and then simply roll it along your skin. This gadget is handy for cooling down sunburns, especially when the aloe vera alone isn’t enough. But, of course, the ice roller has other benefits, such as revitalizing skin and relieving fatigue, which we need all year round!
Thankfully, nights at the lake tend to be much cooler than sunny days. However, it can still be nice to keep your head cool in the evenings. For this reason, an ultra-cool pillow is a great choice. This pillow’s technology absorbs excess heat to keep your body temperature regulated. Although this product is on the pricier side, it’s definitely worth it for those who get overheated at night during the summer!
While these are just a few examples, there’s plenty of gadgets for staying cool this summer that are on the market right now. Whatever you choose, please remember to use sun protection, drink plenty of water, and regulate your body temperature.
During the summertime at the lake, you’re likely spending tons of time outdoors. Whether you’re going boating or hitting the trails, it’s necessary to stay hydrated in the summer heat. However, for those of us living the lake lifestyle, we need hearty water bottles. Not any plastic contraption will do. To help you choose the best water bottle this summer, we’ve compiled reviews of some top choices. Check out these summer water bottles to try this year.
The hydro flask water bottle is often lauded as one of the most popular water bottles in recent years. It’s easy to understand why. The 18/8 stainless steel material provides double-wall vacuum insulation, which keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot beverages hot for up to 12 hours. They’re also dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean this water bottle along with the rest of your dishes. By buying a hydro flask water bottle, you’re also doing the earth a favor! This brand supports several non-profit organizations that help maintain public parks.
One of the most annoying things about most water bottles is that they’re a hotbed for bacteria growth. Although these bacteria are not typically harmful to humans, they’re undoubtedly obnoxious. With the LARQ self-cleaning water bottle, you don’t have to worry! Using an LED light that switches on inside the cap, this water bottle purifies up to 99.9% of the bacteria inside. However, please note that this water bottle doesn’t clean microplastics, chlorine, or metals, so be sure to use clean water.
Made of high-grade 18/8 stainless steel with a fun silhouette, the Swell water bottles are as effective as they are sleek. Like the hydro flask, the Swell’s triple-layer vacuum insulated frame will keep cold drinks cool for up to 24 hours and hot beverages hot for 12. With the Swell, you also get the added aesthetic benefit. This brand is known for its stylish designs ranging from watercolor to granite to faux wood. When cleaning this product, remember that it’s hand wash only!
Also made of 18/8 stainless steel, the Yeti Rambler is a practical choice for any outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, or boating. The handle and screw lid makes it easy to transport to any of your lakeside adventures. The straightforward design is perfect for anyone who wants a durable, no-nonsense water bottle. The only downside of the Yeti is that it’s a bit heavier than these other options. However, if a few extra grams of weight doesn’t scare you away, the Yeti might be your water bottle of choice!
If a traditional water bottle is not your cup of tea, the Platypus might be perfect for you. This foldable water bottle allows you to easily store it in a backpack or purse once you’re done drinking from it. You can also clip it to a carabiner. Plus, it’s inexpensive, so you can buy several for yourself and your family for quick outings. Although it doesn’t retain heat or cold like the other products on this list, its collapsible feature makes it more portable and flexible than other choices on the market. Although it’s made of plastic, the mechanics behind this product keep your water tasting fresh.
No matter which reusable water bottle you choose, we hope you enjoy your active summer at the lake!
Are you someone who enjoys yoga on the boat dock? If you’re feeling like taking on a new lake hobby, consider SUP yoga. An acronym for Stand Up Paddleboard yoga, this activity refers to standing up on a paddleboard in a body of water. Typically, this sport is practiced in calmer bodies of water such as lakes or harbors. SUP yoga has become a trending activity in recent years, embraced both by yogis and paddleboarders alike. Today, we’re going to be answering some common questions about SUP yoga on the lake.
Essentially, SUP yoga involves doing the same types of yoga positions that you would in a traditional yoga class and applying them to a paddleboard surface on the water. In yoga, finding balance is a key component of the practice. And what better place to challenge your stability than standing on a paddleboard?
However, the physical component is only a surface-level part of this activity. The origins of SUP yoga come from yoga itself, a 5,000-year-old practice from Northern India, with roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. At its core, yoga is less about challenging your body and more about the mind-body connection. Therefore, when doing SUP yoga, it’s helpful to consider what a pose may be teaching you or even settling into the experience of quietly breathing.
As you might expect, SUP yoga is considerably more challenging than yoga on land. You’re always grounded on a solid surface on land, whereas with SUP, you have to adjust your movements to the wind and water currents. Plus, your surface (a paddleboard) is more restricted than it would be on land. These extra challenges require a more intense sense of balance.
First and foremost, you’ll need a paddleboard. While there are a few different options you can choose from, a stable inflatable platform is generally recommended. This is because the thickness of the board affects its stability. You’ll also need a leash and personal flotation device (PFD) for your safety. When doing SUP yoga, it’s also important to wear proper attire. Clothes that are both stretchy and water-resistant are ideal. Bathing suits with a rashguard will usually do the trick!
One of the most apparent benefits of SUP yoga is the joy of being outdoors. Doing yoga on the water is a unique experience that will allow you to connect with nature. In addition, the mental health benefits of being outdoors, especially near a body of water, are well-documented. With SUP yoga, you’ll get these stress-relieving benefits. Additionally, from a physical standpoint, SUP yoga practice will help you build muscles that on-land yoga won’t. It’s a full-body workout that increases your flexibility and strengthens your muscles.
Probably the best way to get started with SUP yoga is by taking a class. If you Google search for “SUP yoga classes {insert name of your town or city}” you’re bound to come up with results. If you choose to start out on your own, the following poses are suitable for beginners: downward-facing dog, chair pose, warrior 2, boat pose, and savasana. You can also check out several YouTube videos detailing how to do these poses on your paddleboard.
If you’re looking to jump on board the trend of SUP yoga (no pun intended), we hope this information helps! And most of all, we hope you enjoy your time on the lake this summer.
As lake lovers, we thoroughly embrace outdoor living and the scenic natural beauty that surrounds us. So much it seems, we’ve taken all the creature comforts we enjoy inside and seamlessly transitioned them to the great outdoors—including our kitchens!
The pandemic has made us realize that this essential outdoor space provides a luxurious retreat and creates a blissful stay-cation environment anytime we want it. So, what’s trending now in outdoor kitchens? We went to the experts to get their 2021 A-list.
“Several years ago, it was more common to see small set-ups, simple grill islands, modest wet bars, and other similar designs,” says interior designer Whitney L. Paden, sales director for Werever Outdoor Cabinetry in Riverview, FL. “Now our customers are not only including a grill, sink, and refrigerator, but want additional side burners, power burners for large boils and wok cooking, pizza ovens, cocktail centers, and more. We see the outdoor kitchen become an entertaining oasis—and really, a destination,” she sums.
“The outdoor kitchen/living space has become paramount to experiencing a healthy lifestyle in the days since COVID-19,” says interior designer Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, owner of Schlosser Design Group, LLC in Dallas, TX. Cristie is also president of the North Texas Plains Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the world’s leading trade association for the kitchen and bath industry. “Those who did not have an outdoor kitchen—just a grill—ramped up their desire to spend more time living outdoors.
As a result, we’re now designing outdoor kitchens with deep sinks for prep and cleaning, frost-free outdoor-rated faucets, built-in grills with proper ventilation, and exhaust hoods to draw the smoke away, especially when the grill is close to the entry of your home.
Using stainless steel is also critical when planning for longevity,” she notes. High-performing wine coolers, stainless-steel sinks, and built-in two-sided grills top the wish list for 2021.
Since lake homeowners are spending more time than ever before in their outdoor spaces, more storage is an absolute necessity—the bigger, the better. Ample outdoor storage also prevents us from having to run in and out of the house numerous times. Whitney recommends weather-resistant kitchen cabinets that are made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE). “Our cabinetry specifically has become quite popular as a fully functioning storage and utility solution in the outdoor environment, providing pull-out trash cans, drawer storage for utensils and other kitchen goods, and cabinet space for smaller appliances and cookware,” she says. Added storage for pull-out smokers is also becoming a popular request.
“Surface options for outdoor spaces have improved greatly,” comments Cristie. “I love using sintered materials for countertops and backsplashes. These easy-to-clean, highly compact porcelain and quartz slabs are thinner and lighter weight with gorgeous stonelike patterns—Neolith and Dekton are two brands we specify,” she notes. This high-tech process of sintering involves an accelerated version of the change that natural stone undergoes when subjected to high temperatures and pressure over thousands of years. “I think the use of sintered materials is going to the biggest and most long-lasting trend,” she says. “You can build an outdoor kitchen that looks luxurious—like it was meant to be indoors—through the use of these strong heat, frost, and stain-resistant panels.”
In addition, there are now outdoor-rated options for quartz and granite—not all types can be used outside due to the resin content applied in the manufacturing process that yellows over time. Cristie advises homeowners to be aware that using materials unauthorized for outdoor use may also void any warranties. For more information on outdoor kitchen countertop options, visit HGTV.
Our deepened desire to connect with the outdoors has prompted earth tones to emerge once again. Experts at Werever Outdoor Cabinets report that “shades of ocean blue, terracotta, beige, brown, and emerald green embody this color palette,” and influential brands like Benjamin Moore have named the soothing hue Aegean Teal as the Color of the Year for 2021.
“When it comes to color, we see a strong interest in gray as well, whether lighter or darker in value,” says Whitney. “We also introduced sapphire blue to our collection for spring 2021, and this is quickly becoming a favorite. Rich dark brown espresso still remains our most popular color year after year and throughout the entire country,” she notes. “Navy blue kitchens are trendy in lake and coastal areas and can provide a beautiful deep-toned yet eye-popping aesthetic.”
Whitney reports that the other end of the earth tone spectrum is also popular, with warmer hues and woodgrain finishes making a comeback. Undoubtedly, earthy shades align with our recent quest for all things organic. The overall look emanates a refreshing outdoorsy vibe, something that lake homeowners—and people everywhere—celebrate wholeheartedly after a year spent on lockdown.
As the world reopens and we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s exciting to realize the long-term benefits of an outdoor kitchen. Aside from increasing the value of our lake homes, they now have become an essential component of our “new normal.” With a heightened consciousness of indoor dining risks, we’re all likely to continue outdoor get-togethers regularly and long into the future. With that in mind, Cristie offers these common-sense tips:
Build a kitchen that fits the style of your home and doesn’t look like an afterthought.
Keep in mind the sun’s direction when most of the cooking will occur, and strategize where to provide the appropriate type of shade.
Prepare for cooking outdoors year-round—rain, snow, or sleet.
Make sure your space can handle the outdoors’ wear and tear and meet your cooking needs—and always buy the best quality grill you can afford.
So head outside and get cooking! When the time comes for all of us to gather once again, our outdoor kitchens will be there, offering a relaxing oasis where good times always happen.
Whether you’re enjoying lunch on the patio or relaxing on your boat dock, outdoor umbrellas provide the necessary protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. In addition to wearing sunscreen, an umbrella adds an extra layer of UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) to keep you safe. This summer, patio umbrellas are an absolute must-have item on the lake. Check out some of the newest patio umbrellas on the market that will give you the summer shade you need!
This patio umbrella was ranked the “best overall” by The Spruce’s list of the best umbrellas for 2021. Perhaps its most outstanding feature is the push-button tilt that allows the umbrella to sit at an angle so that you can position your shade directly in front of the sun. The water-resistant and UV-resistant fabric will keep you free from burns while you enjoy the afternoon. Durable and easy to use, this patio umbrella is made to last for many years at your lake house.
Specifically built to withstand winds, the Market Umbrella from EliteShade is designed with three tiers of ventilation. These vents allow both hot or cold air to filter through without knocking over your umbrella. Plus, the crank open pole makes this product much stronger than others on the market, offering even more protection from toppling over. For those of us in particularly windy lake areas, this umbrella is a dream! It also comes in a variety of colors, from Macaw Green to Royal Blue, that will stand out in your backyard.
If your outdoor space is on the smaller side, this 9’ patio umbrella from SunnyGlade might be perfect for your lake house. Made from 100% waterproof polyester with a sturdy aluminum pole, this product is made to last. Its size is perfect for a table with four to six chairs, making it ideal for small gatherings with family or friends. Although this product comes in various colors, the navy and white stripes evoke a particularly stunning nautical design vibe.
We all love lounging under an umbrella on hot summer days. But what about when those days start turning into nights? There’s a crucial window of time somewhere between 6 pm and 8 pm where you need both shade and light. Enter the solar LED umbrella. In addition to highly durable fabric, this patio umbrella also boasts 24 built-in solar-powered lights that last for 6-7 hours at a time. This umbrella will bring a newfound ambiance to summer nights.
Who said that all umbrellas needed to be round? This rectangular market umbrella from North Bend is essentially two umbrellas in one, providing maximum canopy shade. The rectangular shape makes it perfect for a double set of lounge chairs or a balcony. With water-resistant, anti-UV fabric, this product protects you from both rain and sun. What more could you need for life on the lake?
One of the key ingredients for a quintessential summer night at the lake is outdoor lighting. With the right lights, the barbeque party doesn’t have to end after the sunsets. You can keep enjoying the outdoors, as well as the company of friends and family.
Previously on the Lake Homes Blog, we’ve covered a popular outdoor lighting choice — fire pits and various kits that make the setup easier. However, a fire pit isn’t the only option for lighting up the night in your backyard. There’s no shortage of creative ways to illuminate your landscape, from practical ideas like floodlights to more decorative options like lanterns. Today, we’ll be covering a non-exhaustive list of possibilities for inspiration.
Made to illuminate a stairway, entryway, or garage door, floodlights are perhaps the most functional of these outdoor lighting options. Designed to discourage intruders, floodlights emit a strong spotlight on a specific area of the home. Since they’re usually fixed to the home’s exterior, they are less useful in providing direct light to your backyard. However, these lights will help you and your guests easily navigate back to the house. Check out the best types of floodlights to include at your lake house.
As lake homeowners, we know curb appeal has two sides — the front yard and the lakefront. Path lights are perfect for installing along the walkway from your driveway to your home or on the pathway from your back door to your boat dock. Soft and moderately light, this form of outdoor lighting helps with both navigation and aesthetics.
Two primary options for path lights include solar or low-voltage wired lighting. If you have an outdoor outlet (also known as a CFGI outlet), you can run low voltage wired lights. Compared to solar outlets, these offer extra features like photo sensors and clock timers. They also may last longer because they don’t depend on the battery charge from a solar panel.
String Lights
String lights always give off a calming ambiance. The low voltage light and soft glow add perfect accent lighting for your yard that isn’t too harsh. These twinkling lights would look particularly stunning in a smaller enclave of your backyard, such as a gazebo or boat dock, especially on a top deck. The closer you get to the lake, the more critical it is to ensure that you’re choosing waterproof string lights.
Another way to protect these lights from water is to look for battery-powered or solar-powered lights. This way, you’re not reliant on electric plugs, which may be in danger on a rainy day. Lake Living Guide’s blog offers some insight on different types of outdoor string lights to choose from.
Another soft outdoor lighting option, lanterns are typically installed closer to the home to shed light on a front or back door. Usually made of glass and metal brushed with a metallic or black finish, lanterns evoke a classic and traditional look. However, lanterns also come in various styles, such as these rattan lanterns that showcase a more bohemian feel. You can also opt for the DIY paper lanterns route, following instructions like these from A Practical Wedding.
Embedded within the wood of an outdoor deck, these lights give off a medium to high-intensity glow. Usually installed on the stairs, they’re designed to help people navigate steps at night to avoid falling. Aside from their safety features, deck lighting also illuminates your nearby garden — functioning both for beauty and practical support. We hope these outdoor lighting ideas help you enjoy the summer at your lake house!
After a long winter, there’s nothing more blissful than springtime at the lake. This is the season for planting, getting back outside, and bringing nature’s vibrant life into our lake homes and outdoor spaces. The perfect way to do this, especially in a lakeside setting, is with container gardening.
We’re undoubtedly happier and more relaxed when surrounded by the natural beauty that comes with lake living, but not everyone has ample space for in-ground gardening. No worries. You can still enjoy the beauty without all the fuss by setting up container gardens on your deck, porch, patio, or entryway.
Even if you don’t have much outdoor space, using containers and planters can bring joyful color and fragrant greens to any area on your property. To help you get started, we spoke to two gardening experts for some inspiring tips.
“Container gardening can lend an incredibly decorative accent to your lake home,” says Melanie Evans, a master gardener and a gardening consultant for Factory Direct Hose based in Middleton, Idaho. Melanie has assisted clients with their gardening and product needs for more than 15 years in all climates, including some of the top golf courses in the country as well as the U.S. Embassy in Russia.
“The variety of containers available allow you to design your small-scale garden in a way that fits your needs and complements your lake home’s unique aesthetic,” she adds. Melanie also notes that indoor container gardens can be a great asset to your lake house’s interior design. The options and combinations are endless, from hanging baskets and window boxes to a cluster of matching pots or large single decorative containers.
“Many lake homeowners are seasonal residents, making the upkeep of a small garden plot difficult,” she explains. “Container gardens are the perfect solution for those wanting to reap the benefits of a seasonal garden without having the space get overgrown with weeds when you leave for the winter. If worse comes to worst, and the plants die, the cleanup is easy and as simple as dumping out the container,” she sums.
Growing your plants— and vegetables—in containers also allows for portability. Seasonal lake house residents have the option of taking their favorite year-round plants with them when they leave.
“On a large lakefront landscape with lots of sun, it’s best to plant one species per pot,” says Jason VanderMey, managing partner of West Coast Gardens in Surrey, British Columbia. “This will give the plants space and allow for more design flexibility with the best color contrast—plus, it will look more natural in lakeside areas,” he adds. If you plant multiple species together, carefully consider color, height, and bloom times. Make sure they have similar growing conditions, and your container is large enough to accommodate them.
Are you looking to WOW your friends and neighbors? Jason suggests planting lots of radiant flowers—like petunias. They smell wonderful, the colors are beautiful, and they’re easy to maintain. These flowering plants grow quickly and fill in densely, creating vibrant, eye-catching focal points. Plant them in decorative containers, hanging baskets, or window boxes for instant beauty anywhere at your lake home. They love full sun and grow well in most well-drained soils. “When you water your flowers, be sure to feed them with a water-soluble fertilizer like SUPER-BLOOM-15-30-15.
If you want to bring bright pops of color to your front porch, patio, or dock, there are lots of flower options. Pansies, violas, hydrangeas, calibrachoas, geraniums, marigolds, and chrysanthemums all thrive in pots.
Vegetables that are ideally suited for growing in containers include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers (sweet and chili), peas, carrots, eggplant, green onions, leafy greens, potatoes, beans, squash, and radishes. Avoid planting pumpkins, corn, and melons, which require more space to thrive. For container veggies, remember this: the bigger the pot, the better. For tips on growing and choosing the proper container for your vegetables, talk to your local gardening specialist or visit this helpful post on Houzz.
If you enjoy cooking, herbs are the perfect thing to plant in your container garden. Herbs that thrive in containers include chives, basil, dill, cilantro, garlic, fennel, lemon balm, sage, mint, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. “When it comes to planting herbs, keep in mind that many thrive in Mediterranean-like climates—meaning, they need plenty of sunlight and moderate temperatures,” says Melanie. Herbs can thrive in both indoor and outdoor settings if these criteria are met.
“Try having one close to the kitchen,” says Jason. “That way, you’ll always have fresh herbs on hand. I love it when I’m cooking and can reach out the window for fresh basil.”
If your containers are basking in high temperatures and bright sun, succulents and cacti are heat tolerant and incredibly easy to grow. They lend a beautiful texture accent to almost any landscape or indoor area. Make sure your containers provide proper drainage and aren’t too large. The soil will take longer to dry out in oversized containers.
Click here for more expert tips and ideas on how you can create a lush look with container gardens for your lakeside setting.
Before you get going on your container garden, here are Melanie’s simple basics that will steer you in the right direction:
Make sure to consider the shape and size of the plant’s root system before selecting a container. Keep in mind that the smaller the container, the more likely the plant will dry out. Large and deep containers are less prone to drying out and allow plants to deepen their roots.
Water your container garden thoroughly and fertilize it every week or two. With succulents and cactus, the soil should be almost dry before you water again. Regardless of the size of your container, you must make sure it drains well. If your container has no drainage holes, water will get backed up in your plant and cause disease.
If you’re in doubt, a local nursery professional can help you select the perfect plant and the ideal container.
Want to create a luxuriant lake landscape of your own using containers? We’d love to hear your story and see your results.
During the pandemic, outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular additions to lake houses. To start with, lake houses themselves are becoming a better investment. Their remote location, larger spaces, and natural surroundings make them an ideal place for social distancing. When hosting guests at your lake house, outdoor dining is a safer alternative than indoor dining. As such, outdoor kitchens are a perfect solution. You can socialize with guests while cooking, and guests can grab their own food and drink without entering the house. Not to mention the closer proximity to an incredible lake view. With the rise of outdoor kitchens in mind, we’re taking a look at 2021’s newest trends for outdoor kitchen designs.
One surveyhas deemed 2020 as the “Year of the Comfort Food Comeback.” So, it’s no wonder that people are making and ordering pizza, among other favorite comfort foods. In keeping with this, Heloise Blause, kitchen blogger at Home Kitchen Land and private chef, mentions that outdoor pizza ovens are becoming a popular trend among her clients. She notes, “Outdoor ovens make such a great focal point for a backyard kitchen, and some of the newer models that are coming out are truly amazing.” She adds that a high-end gas-powered oven cooks almost just as well as a traditional wood-burning pizza oven. Once lockdowns eventually lift this summer, homemade pizza will be a great addition to backyard parties.
When the outdoor kitchen trend first rose in the late 2000s, outdoor kitchens were designed to be as compact as possible. Today, the trend is to make these spaces larger with a more open concept to integrate cooking and dining areas into the entire outdoor kitchen space. For example, L-shaped kitchens create more countertop space. They also allow your guests to be able to sit on counter stools while you’re cooking.
A good countertop can make or break your outdoor kitchen designs. James Upton from DIY Tile Guy says that the biggest trend he’s seen in outdoor kitchen designs is tile panels used for kitchen countertops. He notes, “These thin panel sheets are denser and more stain-resistant than granite or quartz. Plus, they are UV-light resistant, making them a great choice for outdoors.”
Aside from tile, natural countertops have also been a popular choice. Dan Bailey, president of WikiLawn Los Angeles Lawn Care, mentions that materials such as reclaimed wood, granite, slate, and other natural materials are popular as countertops. Instead of brushed metal looks favored for interior designs, the natural look blends with the outdoors. Their durability allows them to hold up in various climate conditions, although they are trickier to maintain. Bailey advises that you’ll need proper sealants for any wood (such as water or oil-based lacquer). Additionally, your outdoor space should be covered to protect your kitchen from the elements. The overall look aligns with a trend we’ve seen over the past few years of intentionally incorporating nature into designs.
Similar to designing weather-resistant tile panels, covered patios are now a new trend for 2021. Since we’re all spending more time outside, our outdoor kitchen patios need to be fit for all weather conditions. Open-air patio structures allow protection from the sun, rain, and other elements while enjoying outdoor dining. It also benefits your outdoor refrigerator, protecting it from the summer heat. Since outdoor refrigerators use up more energy when exposed to sunlight, a covered patio will keep electricity bills from skyrocketing.
Fire pits have been trending at lake homes for quite some time. However, the newest element of this feature is its multifunctionality. Bailey says that one recent trend is utilizing fire pits not only as a “central feature for entertaining but also for cooking.” He mentions this might be a “flash in the pan trend” since fire pits are more difficult for amateur cooks to work with. However, if this is something you can utilize, it’s perfect as a dual source of comforting warmth and heat for cooking.
What home-cooked meals have you made in your outdoor kitchen this year?
