Here in Southwest Florida, the lanai isn't just a "patio." It's an exterior living room. And if you're going to use it like a living room, you have to build it like one.
I see the same mistake all the time: a homeowner just rolls a stainless-steel grill onto their lanai, throws a TV on the wall, and calls it an "outdoor kitchen." Then they wonder why they never use it. It's because the grill billows smoke and traps grease against the ceiling, the TV is full of glare, and the "beverage fridge" they bought at a big-box store died after one hot summer.
When we build an outdoor kitchen, we're building a kitchen. That means real, marine-grade (316-L) stainless steel cabinets that won't rust. It means a real ventilation hood, ducted to the outside. It means using only outdoor-rated appliances, which are designed to handle 100-degree humidity.
We're designing for comfort. That means planning for shade, installing fans, and integrating motorized screens to stop the bugs. An outdoor living space fails if it's not just as functional and comfortable as the room inside.
My professional recommendation: Stop thinking of it as "outdoor" and start thinking of it as an "investment in lifestyle." Plan for proper ventilation, dedicated electrical, and gas lines from the very beginning. And never buy an appliance for your lanai that doesn't say "outdoor-rated." It's the difference between a space you use and a space you just clean.