Designing a Grill Island: For You or Your Grill Master

You have dreamed of it. You have planned it. You deserve it. Yes, we are talking about your very own, custom-designed outdoor grill island. And why not splurge a bit on this backyard amenity? There’s something special about food hot off the grill.  

When dreaming up your grill island, be sure to consider location, location, location. That seems like it is just one thing but it is everything where a backyard grill island is concerned. Even with our sometimes harsh Cincinnati climate, you can grill outside year ‘round. Consider the path of sunlight in your yard and plan accordingly. Would you like some kind of roof over the grill island to protect you from the sun or snow accumulation? How close to your house do you want your island to be? Where will you eat outside? These factors will all help determine where to place your grill island. 

Island Elements

Obviously the star of the grill island is the grill. Do you research online and at local grill dealers to ensure you are getting the grill that is right for you. The size of the grill will also help determine how large your island should be. 

Photo courtesy of Unilock

Storage is another factor to consider when designing a grill island, which can be outfitted with cabinets and drawers. How much storage space should you include? Consider the items you tend to need while grilling. Just think about all the times you’ve been outside cooking and had to yell, “Honey, can you bring me the…”  

• Wire brush

• Spatula or turner 

• Tongs

• Flat pan with a lip for veggies

• Kebab skewers

• Tin foil

• Meat thermometer 

These items will need to be kept handy, but out of sight to keep your grill island from looking cluttered.  

Beyond the grill, you might opt for other appliances in your grill island. Consider adding a small refrigerator for drinks, condiments and anything else you’d like to keep chilled while you make dinner. A sink is handy for washing hands and rinsing dishes. The combination of a grill and a kegerator could be a dream come true. We can help you source these outdoor appliances.

Speaking of drinks, an outdoor bar can be a natural extension of the grill island. If you don’t plan for it, you will wish you had. And you know friends will want to gather around the bar, so think about adding seating to the area as well. 

As you design your grill island, think about the type of countertop you’d prefer. Remember you want the surface to be easy to clean, durable and good looking. Stone or concrete countertops can fit the bill. 

Grill Islands Inside and Out 

When we add grill islands to our clients’ outdoor living spaces, we start with a metal frame and, typically, a gas line. The frame provides sturdy structure and houses the grill, cabinets and other appliances. The frame can be faced with brick, pavers or engineered stone to give the island a look that complements your home’s hardscaping. Once the structure is complete and the appliances installed, you’re ready to fire up the grill.

Would you like to plan a (grill) island getaway? Talk to our expert designers and planners who can help you create an oasis of good food and great company in your backyard. Contact us today.

Making Phased Landscape Design Work for You

Renovating your landscaping or creating all new landscaping around a just-built home can feel overwhelming. If you’d like to take the project in smaller chunks, consider a phased landscape design. This type of approach can also help you with budgeting time and money.

First things first: It’s best to start with a master plan for the whole yard. This plan, created by a landscape designer, envisions the big picture for all aspects of your landscaping. Starting with a goal in mind allows you to choose which phases to tackle first. It should also help you avoid situations like having to dig up already planted beds to run plumbing and electric for an outdoor kitchen. 

Where to Start

To create a comprehensive landscape plan, Seiler’s clients work with our designers to map out a complete vision of their dream landscaping. From there, we work with our crews to put the plan in motion. 

So where should you start? A good rule of thumb would be to begin with what best increases the “value” of your home. We are not necessarily talking about value in monetary terms. For instance, if you and your family want to spend more time in your backyard on a new patio, then invest the time and effort on that portion first. The outdoor living space will increase your enjoyment of your yard, which is definitely valuable. 

Here are some parts of a master landscape plan that can be done in phases: 

• Hardscaping: These structural parts of your property plan include things like patios, walls, walkways or fencing.

• Plantlife: Trees, shrubs and perennials can be added all at once or in phases depending on where in the yard the plan locates them. 

• Structures: Pergolas, outdoor fireplaces, decks, grill islands… any of these planned amenities can be added right away or a few years down the line. 

• Lighting: Beautiful well-placed lights can up the wow factor in your landscaping fast. Installing lighting during the hardscaping phase makes sense if you have room in your budget. 

Behind the Plan

Still not convinced that a master plan is worthwhile? Keep in mind that our designers bring expertise to your plan. We understand how different types of soil affect plants. Our plans take into account the balance of sunlight and shade in your yard. And we offer proven experience with the types of plants that grow and thrive in our climate

A phased Landscape design allows you to: 

• Make a plan in terms of budgeting. 

• Do the doable. 

• Stay within your budget, which can lower stress for you and your family.

• Make sure you like the direction your yard is heading and course correct if you would prefer changes.

Phased Landscape Design Questions? 

How can we help? We are experts in putting together comprehensive landscaping plans. Contact us and we will schedule an appointment to hear about your dream yard and start to make it a reality. 

Top 5 Reasons to Use a Landscape Designer

Landscape designers provide homes with more than just beautiful scenery. Across the country and here in Cincinnati, landscape designers give people new ways to spend time outdoors in an enjoyable environment. They boost homeowners’ pride in where they live. They’re masters of their trade, and, like Seiler’s, they provide full-service project management that’s more dependable and more sustainable than DIY projects. 

With specialized knowledge and skill sets, landscape designers enhance your home’s overall quality, from visual aesthetics to property value. Here are five reasons you want to hire a Cincinnati landscape designer for your Queen City home.

Merging Art and Science

Landscape designers work at the crossroads of nature and art to create spaces that are both environmentally sound and aesthetically appealing. They pull from a wealth of knowledge about plant life, climates and native ecosystems, and combine it with artistic elements of design like balance, variety, texture and unity. The result is a pleasing balance of amenities, comfort, sustainability and visual appeal.

Selecting the Right Plants 

Not all locations are the same—even when they’re in the same region—and each property has its own physical characteristics and environmental needs. Cincinnati landscape designers in particular, who are extremely familiar with our Midwestern weather patterns, know how to analyze a property’s climate and plant life compatibilities so that your outdoor living space and your property’s natural elements work together in harmony. They’ll also determine what kind of plant life is most suitable for your lifestyle needs and style preferences.

Making the Most of Your Space

Specialists like landscape designers can envision the potential of a property better than anyone. By surveying the environment and understanding how you and your family spend your time there, they can enhance your home in ways you hadn’t even considered. Where you may see just an open space in your yard, a landscape designer might envision a pergola, a stone creek bed or a paved walkway to a garden. The possibilities that open up when you hire a landscape designer are endless.

Boosting the Value of Your Property

Landscape designers know the importance of a first impression. Homes with high curb appeal tend to sell about seven percent more than homes that are lacking, according to Realtor Magazine. In our region, where the real estate market is competitive, Cincinnati landscape designers know that properties with great curb appeal (and incredible outdoor living spaces in general) pay off for homeowners.

Increasing Livability 

Living and working in a visually appealing space that brings you comfort goes a long way toward your and your family’s overall contentment. Landscape designers find opportunities to enhance the atmosphere so that you can indulge in life’s little pleasures and enjoy where you spend your time. It could be evenings with your family on a newly furnished patio, entertaining friends around a firepit or hosting a pool party. Landscape designers get to know your needs and lifestyle, and imagine ways to make your home life even better.

As Cincinnati landscape designers, we’re seasoned pros who can transform your home into your own personal oasis. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Save 15% On Cincinnati Landscape Lighting Projects

Light the Night Cincinnati Sale

Love the drama and beauty of outdoor landscape lighting? Looking for added safety or simply the aesthetics of lighting a wall, fountain or walkway? Cincinnati homeowners are turning on the power of landscape lighting to add evening hours to their landscape enjoyment. We specialize in complete project management from design to installation to final check in. For a limited time, get 15% off your entire project with signed contract before June 15, 2019.

Offer Ends: June 15, 2019

Book an Appointment today