Polop has plenty of sun and plenty of small patios. An outdoor kitchen here is less about a grand entertaining space and more about a corner that gets used from spring to autumn. The best designs start with the patio you actually have.
Village patios: small and exact
Most village houses are older, built of stone and render, with courtyards, narrow terraces and sometimes a roof that has become a sitting area. Space is small, walls are thick and corners are rarely square. A seating area, a small table and a cooking counter are about all a patio holds, so every centimetre counts, with room needed to move chairs and open doors. We mark the layout out on site before ordering anything.
Villa terraces
Higher up, villas have larger terraces and gardens facing the valley. They take full sun, so shade is the main request, often with a covered dining area and lighting for the evening. There is room for a proper counter, a sink and storage, and for a layout that keeps the cook within sight of everyone else.
Elements to decide
- The counter. Built in stone or render to match the house, or in timber, with a worktop that tolerates heat and sun.
- Water and drainage. Even a simple sink needs a supply and a waste route, which is easier to plan before paving goes down.
- Power and lighting. Sockets and lights run best when routed before the floor is finished, so they stay out of sight. See our electrics service.
- Shade. A slatted or lattice top lets in the lower winter sun, so the space still works on a cooler evening.
Fixing to old walls
Some walls are solid stone and hold a heavy beam easily. Others are rubble under a skin of render that crumbles under a drill. We probe before choosing fixing points and use freestanding posts where the wall is weak. A damp wall should be investigated first, because timber fixed to it will suffer whatever treatment it has.
Using it through the seasons
An outdoor kitchen that works only in July is a poor investment. Because Polop evenings can be cool outside the warmest months, think about shelter from wind, lighting that is warm and low, and a counter placed where the sun reaches it on a January afternoon. Storage that closes properly keeps utensils clean through the quiet months, and a surface that is easy to wipe down will cope with leaf litter if you plan a climbing plant overhead.
Floors and slopes
Old patio floors often need repair before anything is built on them. On sloping villa plots, bases must sit on firm ground, with steps or low walls where levels change. Without sea air, timber lasts better here, though sun still dries and fades it, so we specify a finish that resists ultraviolet light and detail the structure so rainwater runs off.
Whether permission is needed depends on the structure and the property, so we give an opinion at the visit and you or your gestor confirm it with the town hall. The quotation is free, and the work is guaranteed within the scope set out in the quotation. See pergolas and outdoor living. We would rather sketch a smaller, well-made kitchen than a large one that never feels finished, and we show you the options on site with the real measurements.
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