THE FUEGO BLOG

"Consumers may not be vacationing in the islands, but they are more interested than ever in creating an island paradise in their backyards."

It's always good to read about the outdoor kitchen industry, in particular when the outlook is bright on trends in kitchen islands, grills and outdoor entertaining. The August 2009 issue of Hearth & Home featured a 10 page article on outdoor kitchens and how they're presenting consumers with expanded opportunities. Even with the current economy and consumers tightening their wallets, people are still dedicated to improving their outdoor living space, from grill upgrades to custom kitchen islands.

According to Hearth & Home, modular islands are "the hottest thing in outdoor kitchen islands today." These customizable outdoor kitchens are much easier to ship, assemble and maneuver into the backyard. Many traditional outdoor kitchens require an entire outdoor build-out, which could set you back up to $75k. The great thing about modular kitchens is that you don't need to completely remodel your backyard; you have the freedom to do-it-yourself, which is attractive right now to home owners and retailers alike.

In addition to the Fuego Modular outdoor kitchen, retailers such as Backyard Dream, Oasis Islands and Harmony Outdoor Living offer components that simplify the modular process with customizable finishes, smart features and innovative design.

Fore more info on the outdoor kitchen industry, visit Hearth & Home's website here. And for some design tips on outdoor entertaining in smaller spaces, check out Casual Living's blog Outside Views.