Granite countertops for patios are not a newly introduced trend by any means. Homeowners and landscape artists have been using granite to transform our outdoor living spaces for several years. They use things like granite tiles and countertops to turn traditional patios, porches, and poolside rest areas into comfortable refuges where family members and their friends can escape the stresses of their everyday lives.
This has never been truer than in the outdoor living space where your family houses the grill, whether it is a patio or deck off the kitchen inside your home or a poolside barbecue area. The kitchen is the heart of the inside of your home. Therefore the grill acts like a kind of outdoor kitchen that is the heart of the property on the outside of your home.
5 Ways to Use Granite Countertops in an Outdoor Living Space
Naturally you would want the same creature comforts outdoor that you would expect to find in an indoor kitchen. One of the most popular features among homeowners who are designing an outdoor living space is a granite countertop. In addition to the aesthetic appeal of a granite countertop, strength and durability of the stone give this impressive material the ability to hold up to a wide range of environmental factors.
While you will want to talk to a landscaper for most of the work for your outdoor living area that includes a kitchen, you can order a granite countertop from the same retailer who would provide one for the kitchen found inside of your family’s home. Just as with an indoor kitchen, an outdoor granite countertop can have multiple uses. Some of these might include the following:
- Prep Area – A granite counter makes a perfect top to an island next to a barbecue area, giving you space to prep food before grilling, smoking, or cooking food in some other way.
- Serving Area – A patio can use a granite counter that acts as a kind of buffet or serving area where you can set out food, extra plates, napkins, and utensils, or drinks for entertaining.
- Eating Area – If you have a small patio area, install a permanent eating area by placing a granite counter on top of a built-in stone base. Because granite counters are not very deep, you can have the feel of a farmhouse table with a more natural, earth-friendly appearance.
- Seating Area – A granite counter also makes a great seating area around the edge of a patio. This is especially true if you have a swimming pool and are worried about wet swimsuits on plush cushions on your patio furniture.
- Bar Area – If your lifestyle includes entertaining to a 21 and older guest list, then a granite countertop can create a designer looking bar that is sure to impress anyone you invite to your home.
Benefits of Using Granite in Outdoor Spaces
When you have granite countertops inside your home, such as in an indoor kitchen or even on top of a bathroom vanity cabinet, then you enjoy benefits such as durability and a pleasing aesthetic. Because it can hold up to harsh temperatures and other elemental factors, you can enjoy these same benefits from adding granite countertops to your outdoor living spaces. For example:
- Durability – As mentioned, granite can hold up to a wide range of temperatures due to being created deep within the earth.
- Aesthetic – The natural pattern of the stone allows you to find a unique piece of functional art to improve your outdoor living space.
- Cleaning – Cleaning your granite counter is a breeze. Just wash it with warm water and mild detergent before using.
- Maintenance – Granite is much easier to maintain than counters made from other materials. Ask the retailer where you order your counter about having it sealed to extend its longevity.
Granite comes in a wide range of colors, which means it can match the décor of nearly any outdoor living space. This includes the landscaping, such as flowering annuals or perennials that you might have planted around your patio, barbecue, or other area. You can also find granite to match your existing outdoor furniture or barbecue grill as well.
When upgrading your outdoor living space, you do not have to stop at the basic items. Accessories can also help make granite counters a welcome addition to an area. Comfortable cushions on patio seats or a hammock strung between two nearby trees, for example, can add an extra layer of relaxation and also complement the aesthetics of your granite countertops.