Rohto Landscaping says outdoor kitchen planning should start with the full backyard design

By AI, Created 2:20 PM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Rohto Landscaping is pitching outdoor kitchens as a high-value focus for Metro Detroit homeowners planning premium backyards in 2026. The West Bloomfield contractor says the best projects start with layout, cover, materials and utilities before construction begins.

Why it matters: - Outdoor kitchens are becoming a bigger planning priority for homeowners building premium backyards in Metro Detroit. - Rohto Landscaping says the strongest projects are designed as permanent outdoor living features, not as add-ons after the patio is already built. - Better upfront planning can reduce field changes, improve long-term use, and help the kitchen fit the rest of the yard.

What happened: - Rohto Landscaping, a West Bloomfield-based design-build contractor, highlighted outdoor kitchen design as a focal point for the 2026 backyard season. - The company said homeowners should plan the full cooking environment before choosing appliances and materials. - Rohto tied outdoor kitchen design and hardscape installation together as one coordinated planning process for Metro Detroit projects. - The company serves homeowners across Metro Detroit and Oakland County, including West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak and Rochester.

The details: - Rohto said outdoor kitchen planning should account for four working zones: cooking, prep, serving and seating. - The company said clear zone planning makes it easier to set footprints and traffic flow. - Rohto said straight-line, L-shaped, U-shaped and island layouts each support different patterns of movement. - The best layout is the one that matches how the space will actually be used, with the cook able to work without blocking guests. - Covered outdoor kitchen options include pergolas, pavilions, roof extensions and overhangs. - Rohto said the cover should be planned with the kitchen because it affects placement, ventilation, light and integration with the home. - Material choices should coordinate with the home exterior, the surrounding hardscape and Metro Detroit weather exposure. - Rohto said the material palette should stay consistent across counters, the kitchen surround, the deck surface and any covered structure. - Gas, electric and water access should be planned before construction because utility routes affect where the kitchen can go and what can be included. - Rohto positions custom outdoor kitchens as part of a broader luxury outdoor living plan that can also include patios, lounge areas, seating zones and other backyard features. - The company said nearby lighting, adjacent seating, future expansions and pool areas can influence how the kitchen fits into the overall property. - Rohto said strong plans anticipate those relationships instead of treating them as afterthoughts. - Homeowners can review Rohto’s hardscape design and installation services to see how outdoor cooking spaces fit within larger premium backyard projects.

Between the lines: - The message reflects a shift from product-first buying to space-first design. - That approach favors homeowners with larger budgets, but it also suggests a more durable outcome because the kitchen is designed around use, not impulse purchases. - Rohto is also linking outdoor kitchens to broader remodeling demand and outdoor design trends. - The National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry estimated Americans spent $603 billion on home remodeling projects in 2024. - The National Association of Landscape Professionals said its 2026 trend outlook emphasizes intimate gathering spaces, refuge zones, natural materials and phased outdoor improvements. - Rohto’s framing suggests outdoor kitchens are now part of a whole-property strategy, not a single-feature upgrade.

What’s next: - Rohto said homeowners planning custom outdoor kitchens should start with design decisions before construction begins. - The company expects outdoor kitchen projects to remain tied to broader hardscape and backyard planning across the 2026 season. - Homeowners considering a project can use the design phase to align utility access, material cohesion and future backyard expansions before work starts.

The bottom line: - Rohto Landscaping’s pitch is simple: the best outdoor kitchens are planned like permanent rooms, not bought like appliances.