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 A kitchen in the outdoors? That's right. This trend is becoming ever popular as homeowners across the country realize how appealing these prep/party areas can be. When planning a workable outdoor kitchen, you have to understand what you're going to be doing out there. So you need to ask yourself: Are we going to barbecue? Party? Entertain? Cook? Just rely on catering services? Are we going to want everything out there, so we won't have to walk back into the house?
The answers to these questions will help you plan your outdoor kitchen to suit your backyard/terrace and its needs. For example, if you think lots of entertaining will be going on, comfortable chairs are needed near the cooking area and the dining space. If several people are going to help whip up the meals, lots of prep space is in order. And if the barbecue will be the cooking centre, it's imperative to have some type of counter space near the grill to set food and dishes. You also need to design the space to adhere to local fire safety laws.
 Have a clear idea about your vessels in which you will be cooking/serving. In one table you can have all the plates, forks, spoons, raithas and salads set with a small vase which has fragrant natural flowers.
The lights should be sufficient to enable good vision. Pick lighting that goes with your decor like outdoor candles, or simple spotlights can set the mood.
The food has to be cooked/served in
hygienic surroundings and it should be tasty. Today with catering services available in most areas, fresh food could be ordered too. This way you have more choice where the dishes are concerned. Variety is the spice of life, so give your guests a good menu to choose from.
Depending on the area, front yard or terrace, a shamiana can be hired for airy conditions. This way the guests do not feel trapped inside the house and in summer with high temperatures, there is a chance to get fresh air from all sides. You can also have table fans to provide extra coolness and minimise
sultry conditions. Light coils in the corners to drive away the blood-sucking mosquitoes
- a permanent nuisance in open areas.
If it is celebration time, like a kid's birthday party then balloons and other colourful papers can be made use of to decorate the corners or centre area. This gives the place a festive look.
 Another important area is providing water to wash hands, not just for drinking . See that you have an area earmarked for all the spills, even though paper napkins are very popular these days.
When you have a party at home, keep your pets at bay. Not all people are inclined towards animals or find them friendly. So to avoid any mishap, keep the dogs tied in safer places.
Music being the soul of any party, make arrangements to entertain your guests either in the form of piped/channel music, or with the help of electronic gadgets. But make sure not to disturb the neighbourhood with loud, banging music which can be of nuisance value. If it is a dance party see that you have enough room for the guests to shake and swing and the area is not totally cluttered.
 If the party is primarily for children, plan a few games to keep them mentally or physically occupied. Children can be easily bored when elders just sit and chat for hours. Pick up some attractive gifts at reasonable prices to motivate them to take part in what is going on.
If the gathering is to provided with liquor, then make sure you have the ice-trays handy. Even for soft drinks people prefer extra chillness, so cubes are a must in the agenda/main list.
Outdoor kitchens offer the hottest hangout place in your home - for a party or casual gathering. So plan the yard's design/terrace area by instinctively suiting your lifestyle. If you're not having fun, your guests won't either. Cook/order enough, because everyone loves eating good food and in a company calories or quantity may not matter. Running out of food can ruin a party or can lead to many a misunderstanding between the cup and the lip!
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