How to Make Your Backyard a Vacation Oasis

As with an indoor kitchen, a well-designed outdoor kitchen lets guests hang out comfortably near the cook without being underfoot. "Just like in the home, that's always the biggest gathering area," Scott says.

Scott's outdoor kitchen, left, includes a cafelike sprinkling of tables and chairs, plus a cooking area that has an undergrill fridge and cabinets to keep plates and utensils handy.

Your outdoor cooking space, though, can be as simple as a freestanding grill, a table and chairs. Just allow plenty of room for guests to relax. Small touches such as sun umbrellas can go a long way toward adding both color and comfort.