Transforming outdoor living in Sevenoaks with Millboard decking and cladding
Transforming outdoor living in Sevenoaks with Millboard decking and cladding
| Location | Sevenoaks, Kent |
|---|---|
| Designer | EO Kitchens |
What began as a simple spot for a barbecue in Sevenoaks, Kent, has become a beautifully composed outdoor kitchen and entertaining space. By combining Millboard decking and cladding in complementary finishes, the homeowner now enjoys a cohesive, high-performance setting that feels as considered as any indoor room.
This project brings together Millboard Enhanced Grain decking in Smoked Oak with Millboard Enhanced Grain decking used as cladding in Brushed Basalt, creating a calm, contemporary backdrop for cooking, relaxing and year-round entertaining.
The brief was straightforward yet ambitious. The homeowner wanted to move on from a basic barbecue arrangement and create a fully featured outdoor kitchen within an existing pergola, while ensuring the new elements worked seamlessly with their Millboard decking and hot tub surround.
They already had Millboard Enhanced Grain decking in Smoked Oak with a Brushed Basalt feature border. The homeowners decided to extend that palette and use Millboard decking as an architectural thread, unifying the dining, cooking and relaxation zones across the garden.
Millboard products used
To achieve a consistent and visually balanced scheme, EO Kitchens specified:
- Millboard Enhanced Grain resin mineral composite decking in Brushed Basalt as the fascia material for the outdoor kitchen units
- Existing Millboard Enhanced Grain decking in Smoked Oak with a Brushed Basalt surround
- Millboard products to clad the homeowner’s hot tub, tying the entire space together
Using Millboard decking as cladding for the kitchen fascia and hot tub created a strong visual link between the vertical and horizontal surfaces. The colours and grain detailing repeat across the space, so nothing feels like an afterthought. Instead, the kitchen, deck and spa area read as one continuous outdoor living environment.
Why Millboard decking
The clients were already familiar with Millboard decking and had seen how well it performs in everyday life. That experience influenced the decision to use more Millboard products for the next stage of their garden.
Several factors were key:
- Durability in all seasons
Millboard decking and cladding are designed for outdoor life, resisting the usual issues associated with timber, including rot, warping and insect damage. In an outdoor kitchen, where there is moisture, spillages and frequent use, that reliability is especially important.
- Exceptional slip resistance underfoot
Around cooking areas, a surface that feels secure matters. The Lastane surface and textured finish of Millboard Enhanced Grain decking provides exceptional slip resistance, helping the space feel safe and comfortable, even when the weather changes.
- Colour stability and long-term appearance
The tonal depth of Brushed Basalt and Smoked Oak helps the kitchen feel smart and architectural. Millboard decking and cladding boards are designed to keep their appearance for the long term, so the rich, refined grain, timber look can be enjoyed without the regular treatment that real wood can require.
- Low maintenance lifestyle
For these homeowners, weekends are for relaxing, not sanding or staining. Millboard decking does not need to be sanded, sealed, painted or oiled. In most cases, a simple sweep and occasional wash down are all that is required to keep it looking at its best. That simplicity means more time cooking, hosting and unwinding, and far less time on upkeep.
- A trusted, consistent material palette
Because Millboard decking was already installed, extending the same family of finishes around the kitchen and hot tub ensured continuity. The result is a garden that feels carefully planned, even though it has evolved over time.
Design and integration within the pergola
EO Kitchens designed the outdoor kitchen to sit neatly within the existing pergola footprint, making the most of every inch of space without overwhelming the garden.
Key design features include:
- Millboard cladding to the kitchen fascia
Millboard Enhanced Grain boards in Brushed Basalt were applied as the fascia material for the kitchen furniture. This brings a refined, architectural look that links directly to the surrounding deck and hot tub.
- Carefully planned storage and layout
Within the compact footprint, the design team created generous preparation and serving space, alongside two large drawers. One sits beneath the main barbecue, the other beneath The Big Green Egg, providing discreet storage for accessories, fuel and cooking tools.
- A harmonious palette from deck to hot tub
The Smoked Oak decking boards, framed by their Brushed Basalt border, flow effortlessly towards the kitchen. The hot tub, also clad in Millboard boards, sits within the same palette, so the eye moves smoothly around the garden without any visual clash.
Together, these decisions deliver a space that feels both practical and beautifully composed. The materials work just as hard as the layout, supporting daily use while looking completely at home in the landscape.
Performance, everyday use and client feedback
Once complete, the transformed outdoor kitchen quickly became the heart of the garden. The homeowners now enjoy a space that works for quiet evenings for two as well as relaxed gatherings with friends.
They particularly appreciated how easy the Millboard decking and cladding are to care for, and how naturally the new kitchen blends with what was already there:
“We wanted a kitchen that would not only look great but also complement our existing decking and pergola. The EO kitchen achieved both perfectly. The entire finish, including the Millboard boards, seamlessly matches, giving the impression it was all designed together. It has transformed our outdoor living experience, allowing us to enjoy it all year round.”
The combination of Millboard products with the thoughtful EO Kitchens design has delivered:
- A cohesive, modern outdoor kitchen that sits comfortably within the wider garden
- A robust, low maintenance surface that stands up to cooking, entertaining and changing weather
- A visually calm, coordinated space that feels like a natural extension of the home
Considering Millboard decking or cladding for your next project?
This Sevenoaks garden shows how Millboard decking and cladding can be used together to create a welcoming, hard-working outdoor kitchen that feels timeless.
If you are planning your own project and would like to explore what is possible:
- Order a sample to experience Millboard decking and cladding up close
- Visit a Millboard Experience Centre to see full-size installations and talk through ideas
- View more case studies such as Anchor House in Chichester or the Hassocks bungalow renovation in Sussex, and discover fresh inspiration for your next outdoor space
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