Outdoor Kitchen Appliances | Outdoor Design - Landscaping Ideas, Porches, Decks, & Patios | HGTV

An outdoor sink is a big convenience for washing dishes or just for rinsing hands while you cook. "It can really improve the resale value of your outdoor kitchen," says landscape architect Steve Chepurny.

If you decide to include this feature, you'll have to decide how to feed the faucet. Running a water line from the house is one option. In cold climates this line will have to be insulated and buried below the frost level. Others use a garden hose that they can disconnect in the winter. Or install a line with an indoor valve so you can drain it before the weather dips below freezing.

Drainage is another consideration. You may be able to tap into your home's main drainage system, or create a gray-water reservoir. Each municipality has different regulations, so check with your local authorities and work with a licensed plumber.

Once the logistics are set, your best bet is a sturdy stainless-steel sink and an outdoor-approved faucet with a high-arcing neck, so you can fit large pots or basins underneath it easily.