Inside Out

One of the most important considerations when creating an outdoor entertainment space is ease of maintenance, according to kitchen and bath designers. "Customers want to have a space they can enjoy with minimal work required to keep it looking good," stresses Whyte.

Likewise, there's a growing need for products that are rated and made for outdoor use.

Shay stresses that one of the problems with a multi-year recession is that "companies are more cautious about research and development. So, it's going to be incumbent on us as designers to encourage the industry to produce more products that are suitable for outdoors," he comments.

"For instance, a dishwasher outside makes sense, but no one offers an outdoor warranty on dishwashers," notes Shaw.

"The outdoor kitchen is more than a new space - it's an investment in a lifestyle that is about family, good friends and great food," Chadwick concludes.