Bring the outdoors in and give your indoor kitchen an al fresco feel with these 8 remodeling ideas.
1. Add a Skylight
Let natural light pour in by installing a skylight or two. Skylights instantly brighten up any kitchen and give it an open, airy vibe. Place one over your sink or island to spotlight your prep space. Opt for tempered or double-glazed glass to ensure energy efficiency. For ventilation, add a solar powered exhaust fan to your skylight.
Consider tinted or frosted glass for skylights over your dining area to diffuse the sunlight. Install remote-controlled shades if you want to regulate the light. Frame your skylights with cedar or redwood to complement the outdoorsy look. Skylights lend your indoor kitchen the essence of the great outdoors.
2. Install an Indoor Herb Garden
Dedicate a corner or some wall space for a compact indoor herb garden. Install hanging planters or wall-mounted pots for an earthy outdoor feel. Fill them with a variety of culinary herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, chives, parsley, etc.
Growing fresh herbs indoors lets you add just-picked flavor to your recipes. The aroma of the herbs will instantly connect you to the garden. Place your herb garden where it can get 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. Install grow lights if natural light is inadequate.
Water the plants daily, but avoid overwatering. Prune and harvest regularly to encourage new growth. An indoor herb garden saves you trips to the backyard or garden for garnishes and seasonings.
3. Use Weathered Finishes
Weathered, distressed finishes like whitewashed wood, galvanized metal, and oxidized copper conjure up thoughts of the outdoors.
Whitewashed wooden cabinets, open shelves, and floors lend a rustic, farmhouse vibe. Bleach or limewash dark wood to lighten and brighten your kitchen. Use reclaimed wood with visible knots and natural cracks for a timeworn look.
Galvanized metal sheets as backsplashes or island cladding add an industrial edge. Rust-finished metal stools and shelves also fit the outdoorsy aesthetic.
Verdigris-patinaed copper backsplashes and range hoods add vintage character. Pair weathered finishes with sunwashed walls, skylights, and indoor plants to really amplify the outdoor ambience.
4. Install an Indoor Fireplace
An indoor fireplace lends a cozy, campfire-like feel to your kitchen. Opt for stylish stand-alone wood-burning or gas fireplaces to ignite your culinary space.
Modern free-standing fireplaces come in various sleek, minimalist designs to match your kitchen style. Locate it near the dining area for an intimate mealtime feel. Choose corner installations to save space.
For a dramatic vibe, create a brick or stone accent wall housing your fireplace. Install it at the end of the kitchen with bench seating nearby. Add plenty of wood storage to complete the inviting look. An indoor fireplace warms up any al fresco-inspired kitchen.
5. Open Your Kitchen to the Outdoors
Opening your indoor kitchen to the backyard or garden instantly blurs the line between outside and in.
Replace one exterior wall with retractable glass doors. Install extra-large windows or a solar greenhouse adjoining your kitchen. Knock down walls to create bench seating that spills outdoors.
Add a Dutch door, pass-through window, or breezeway connecting the kitchen to the patio or deck. Seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces amplifies the al fresco ambience of your kitchen.
6. Add Stacked Stone Accents
Natural stacked stone lends an organic, earthy vibe reminiscent of the outdoors. Use it as a textural accent in your indoor kitchen.
Line one wall behind the cooktop or around the fireplace with stacked slate or quartzite. Or create a stone-clad pizza oven for artisanal pizzas with an outdoor oven feel.
Use strips of thin ledgestone as a backsplash over the prep area. Install a rough-hewn stone sink for a true farmhouse look. For the island, use a natural stone countertop in earthy hues.
Rustic wood shelves mounted on a stone accent wall add to the outdoorsy charm. Stacked stone accents ground your kitchen with natural texture.
7. Install Wall-to-Wall Windows
Maximize sunlight and visibility with huge wall-to-wall windows in your indoor kitchen. Frame stunning views of your garden, courtyard or landscape.
Full-length windows wash the entire cooking space with natural light. Casement windows with wide profiles blend the barrier between outside and in.
Minimize window frames and mullions for barely-there partitions. Keep lower window sections transparent for unobstructed outdoor views while standing.
Strategically placed picture windows frame focal points like a majestic tree or water feature. Clean, frameless windows virtually erase divisions between indoors and outdoors.
8. Add Indoor Trees and Vertical Gardens
Literal bring the outdoors in by adding potted trees, living walls, and vertical gardens in your kitchen.
Mini potted fruit trees like dwarf lime, lemon, orange, and olive trees add fresh greenery. Small varieties of crape myrtle, Japanese maple and fruit trees work well.
Living walls with integrated irrigation systems allow you to grow herbs or flowering plants indoors. Position them by a window for sunlight and ventilation.
You can also install vertical hydroponic garden towers in a sunny corner or along the backsplash. Grow herbs, greens, tomatoes, strawberries or your choice of produce.
The presence of thriving plants, bushes or trees immediately generates an indoor outdoor atmosphere. Remember to position them appropriately so they don’t hinder workflows.
FAQs
What is the best way to give my indoor kitchen an outdoor feel?
Some of the best ways to make your indoor kitchen feel outdoorsy include adding skylights for natural light, installing an indoor herb garden, using weathered finishes like whitewashed wood and oxidized metals, opening up the kitchen to the exterior with glass doors or windows, incorporating stacked stone accents, and bringing in live indoor trees or vertical gardens.
How much do skylights cost to install?
On average, installing a skylight costs $1,000 to $1,500 depending on the type, size, and complexity of the project. Basic plastic dome skylights cost between $200-$800 just for materials, while glass skylights start at $800 and go up to $3,000 or more. Labor will be an additional $200 to $700 for basic installations.
What are the best herbs to grow indoors?
Great herbs for indoor gardening include basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary, chives, cilantro, dill, and mint among others. Choose varieties that thrive in containers like Italian basil, Greek oregano, and French thyme.
Can you put any fireplace indoors?
No, only ventless or direct-vent gas fireplaces, wood-burning fireplaces, electric fireplaces, and gel fireplaces are approved for safe indoor use. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, chimeneas, etc. should never be used inside due to carbon monoxide poisoning risks.
How expensive is it to knock down a wall?
The average cost to remove a standard 8-10 foot wall is $1,500-$3,500 including debris disposal and new beam installation. Smaller projects around $500 while extensive load-bearing wall demolitions cost $8,000 or more. Get an engineer’s assessment before removing any walls.
Are vertical gardens expensive?
Basic small vertical gardens start at around $100 for materials while fully-installed commercial-grade living walls can cost $500 to $5,000+ depending on size and components. Ongoing maintenance and utilities like electricity and water also add to costs.
What is the best way to clean skylights?
Use a soft microfiber cloth, sponge, or telescopic duster to gently wipe skylights with a mild soap and water solution or specific skylight cleaner product. Never use abrasive cleaners or pads, and avoid leaning or walking on skylights to prevent damage and leaks.
Conclusion
With thoughtful remodeling choices like smart lighting, indoor greenery, multifunctional accents, wide open views, and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, you can infuse your indoor kitchen with the essence of the great outdoors.
Creating an indoor-outdoor kitchen not only amplifies the functionality and enjoyment of your space, but also forges a deeper connection to nature. It promotes sustainability by reducing outdoor elements in a protected interior environment.
The project opportunities are limited only by your imagination. You can build your dream kitchen that deftly marries the comforts of indoors with the beauty and vitality of the outside. A kitchen imbued with the outdoors is always inspirational to cook and dine in.
