Summertime in Texas is ROUGH. If you’ve invested in an outdoor kitchen or are considering investing in one, it’s reasonable to expect to be able to use it year-round. But spending any amount of time outside is the last thing many of us want to do when temps start creeping over 90 degrees. How can you continue to enjoy cooking, eating, and dining outside in the blazing heat? Read on to find out! 

Be Strategic in Your Design Choices

1. Choose Your Colors and Materials Carefully
   Darker colors may look nice and show less dirt, but the sad truth is that they also absorb more heat. If your goal is to spend more time in your backyard living space during the hot summer months, you may want to opt for lighter colors in both your paint and decorating decisions. In addition, consider purchasing lightweight furniture made out of materials like wicker and canvas. These will help you keep you cool while you’re relaxing outside.

   If your outdoor kitchen is still in the planning phase, Worthy Outdoors can help you make prudent decisions when it comes to both construction materials and decor. And if you already have an outdoor cooking space, don’t sweat! Worthy Outdoors can help modify it to maximize your comfort in the scorching heat!

    

2. Organize Your Space Strategically
   The layout of your outdoor kitchen deserves a lot of thought. While this is true for practicality and aesthetics, a strategic layout can also ensure that you stay pleasantly cool when summer temps are soaring. For example, grills and other cooking appliances are going to emit heat, so it’s helpful to separate them from the areas where you intend to sit and relax for long periods of time.

    

   Shade is another wise addition to your outdoor living space. Ask yourself this: in which parts of your backyard do you spend or anticipate spending the most time? Those are excellent places to install a covering! When it comes to shade, there are several options worthy of your consideration:
   

• • • Convert your deck or patio into a covered porch.
      By adding a roof to your existing space, you’ll guarantee yourself hours of sheltered relaxation. Worthy Outdoors can cover your outdoor kitchen with a roof that not only looks lovely, but is also cost-effective and built to last! Visit this page to find out more: https://worthy-outdoors.com/projects/decks-patios-porches/

       

    • Upgrade your backyard with a beautiful pergola.
      A pergola is a unique open structure with a partially open roof. To enhance its shading capabilities, consider planting climbing vines that will eventually grow up and over it. See examples of our gorgeous, hand-crafted pergolas here: https://worthy-outdoors.com/projects/pergolas/

       

    • Speaking of plants, invest in landscaping that helps screen from the sun.
      The right trees, certain types of oak, pecan, and cedar elm for example,  can help block out the sun and other elements, keeping your outdoor kitchen nice and cool throughout the day!

       

    • Make use of versatile patio umbrellas.
      Worthy Outdoors is a proud installer of all products from BBQGuys, who offer a gorgeous selection of patio umbrellas. Browse by size, color, or brand. And don’t forget to take advantage of the helpful guides for sizing and purchasing!

       

    • Choose a cost-effective sunshade.
      Our partners at BBQGuys also sell a variety of sunshades. Select the right size for your space and choose between square or triangle, brown or blue. 

Worthy Outdoors is here to help you get the most out of your outdoor living space. Get in touch with us today so we can chat about how we can build or organize your kitchen in a way that maximizes its usability on sweltering, sunny days!

Outfit Your Kitchen with Cool Appliances

The right appliances and appliance accessories can help you enjoy your outdoor cooking, eating, and entertaining space even in the hottest months. We mentioned how grills can emit heat, adding to your misery when temps are high. It may be worthwhile to invest in a grill ventilation system designed to remove heat from your cooking space more efficiently. Our partners at Blaze offer 36-inch, 42-inch, and 48-inch vent hoods . BBQGuys, our other partner, also carries an impressive array of vent hoods in different styles and sizes.

Outdoor refrigeration appliances are another excellent investment for staying cool AND hydrated! Depending on the appliance, you can have easy access to ice, cool beverages, or cold or frozen foods, all of which can bring relief on searing hot days! Both Blaze and BBQGuys offer a variety of external refrigeration options. If your space is limited, consider a compact refrigerator or freezer. You can even opt for a refrigerator drawer! And don’t think that appliance shopping is boring! You can select the color and style that best fits your decorating style while you browse!

Are you a beverage connoisseur? You may want to include an ice maker, wine cooler, kegerator, or drinks cooler in your outdoor living space! If you’re really into hosting big events, you may even want to go with a commercial refrigerator. Choose from any of these great options, and keep yourself and your guests comfortable and refreshed all summer long. 

Add Effective Cooling Options

We’ve all experienced the delicious relief of a cool breeze on a hot day! The effects can be almost instantaneous. Recreate those same feelings with any of these great cooling options from BBQGuys: 

• Get that air circulating! Fans are a must-have if you plan to spend time outside in the summertime. Choose among ceiling fans, standing fans, and wall mount fans to find the style that works best for your backyard. You can even purchase a misting fan if you’re okay with getting a little wet! Depending on the size and layout of your space, you may consider a combination of fan styles to maximize air flow. 
  
  
• Invest in an evaporative air cooler. If fans just won’t cut it, this may be a great choice for you! The only downside is that evaporative air coolers don’t tend to work as well when the weather is humid, so be sure to factor that into your decision! 
  
  
• Install a misting system! If you’ve been to the zoo or an amusement park on a scorching day, you’ve likely experienced the remarkable cooling power of a misting system! Well, we are happy to report that you can have one in your own backyard! BBQGuys has several systems available, so pick the one that’s right for you and let Worthy Outdoors install it! 

Dress For the Weather

This last tip doesn’t have to do with living spaces, but we’re including it because it’s essential for maximizing your comfort outside on those blistering, North Texas summer days. And if you’re not in a financial position to make major updates to your outdoor kitchen, this is an affordable and easy option to tide you over until those changes become more attainable! 

Make sure that you are dressed appropriately for the climate! 

Experts recommend wearing light-colored clothing when temps are high, since lighter colors absorb less heat than darker ones. Choose clothes that will dry quickly or are designed to move moisture away from your body. Or dress in loose-fitting, breathable, lightweight fabrics. Finally, consider wearing a hat and sunglasses to help shade your face.

At Worthy Outdoors, we want to guarantee that your outdoor kitchen and living space is usable year-round, even during those awful days when temps top 100 degrees. Implement these suggestions, and you’ll be able to enjoy time outside despite the hot weather. And, as always, if you need any help or advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!