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10 You-Beaut Barbie Design Tips

Put a little more thought into the way you cook and entertain outside and you'll make the living easy

Carol Bucknell 20 March 2015

Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises in writing about gardens, houses and design. Author of two books on garden design: Contemporary gardens of New Zealand and Big Ideas for Small Gardens both published by Penguin. I also design gardens and am a passionate gardener. Currently I write the garden pages for New Zealand magazine Your Home & Garden and contribute to NZ Gardener and NZ House & Garden magazines.

Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises... More

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Australians love a barbecue any time of year, with hardcore barbecue addicts cooking up a storm even when it’s pouring down outside. For them (and let’s face it, at least half of the population), food cooked outside beats the indoor variety hands down. But while it once was ok to simply throw a few sausages on the barbecue out in the backyard, these days people expect a little more sophistication from their alfresco dining experience. Whether you’re cooking inside or out, it makes a huge difference to your enjoyment if you’re comfortable, and protected from the sun, wind and eyes of your neighbours. Moving food and drink between the kitchen and outdoors should be safe and easy, and so should the cooking process itself. On top of all of that, barbecues areas need to look good as well. Sound like a tall order? Not if you follow these simple guidelines.

inochi Pty Ltd

1. Keep it close
Locating your barbecue area as near as possible to the living room and/or kitchen makes sense on many levels. For obvious reasons, the time involved carrying trays of food and drink between kitchen and barbecue area should be as brief as possible. For the same reasons, you should avoid having to climb up and down loads of steps, or stumble over uneven/slippery footpaths.

The shorter the distance, the better too for linking into existing electricity, gas, water and other services. Being able to expand indoor and outdoor living spaces into one large area gives greater flexibility when entertaining also.

Highgate House

2. Don’t skimp on space
Is the barbecue area big enough for you and your guests to relax and spread out around a good-sized table? Measuring your dining/entertaining area inside the house will give you an idea of appropriate dimensions for the alfresco dining. Using comfortable outdoor seating, as shown in this Brisbane home, will keep everyone outside for longer.

User

3. Consider paving carefully
A firm, even ground plane is essential for outdoor tables and chairs. Some paving materials can be affected by cooking fat and soot unless they are sealed, so check with your supplier or contractor.

Dean Herald-Rolling Stone Landscapes

4. Give it shelter
A pergola or shade structure over your outdoor living area will provide privacy if your garden is overlooked as well as protection from the elements. This should ideally relate to the architecture of the house and the style of the garden.

C.O.S Design

5. Light well
The cook will need light to barbecue, but harsh, glaring lights are a definite no-no outside. Low-level lighting is best for outdoor areas with perhaps one or two strategically placed directional lights for cooking.

MR.MITCHELL

6. Shelter from wind
No-one enjoys cooking or eating in a howling gale so locate the barbie out of the wind. However, remember that barbecues also need some draught to work properly, so avoid spaces that are too confined.

Landscape And Architectural Design Products PL

7. Build it in
Built in barbecues, work surfaces and storage give outdoor areas a streamlined look and give you more room if space is tight. Built-in barbecues look better though if they harmonise with the rest of the garden. Masonry walls should match existing walls and/or paving materials. Make sure working surfaces are easy to clean and weather-resistant.

Richard Cole Architecture

8. Access over views
Of course, you want to entertain guests where they can enjoy the best view, or perhaps the evening light. But don’t compromise on other essentials such as access to the kitchen and shelter. You can always stroll around the garden and show your guests the view after they’ve eaten.

Michelle Walker architects

9. Stay warm
An outdoor fireplace, fire pit or brazier adds an element of warmth that can greatly increase your use of the barbecue area, particularly on cooler spring and autumn nights. It’s often not possible to warm your entire outdoor living area but the visual impression of heat is usually enough to seduce people into feeling cosier. Restrictions may be in place for outdoor fireplaces in areas near bush.

OUTHOUSE design

10. Add scent
They say that scent has a huge influence on our emotional response to a situation. If you want to create the most relaxing atmosphere possible for your guests, surround your barbecue area with fragrant plants such as boronia, queen of the night (Cestrum nocturnum), daphne, gardenia, Australian frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum), luculia, magnolia, tropical frangipani, Stephanotis or star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). Planting edibles such as citrus and herbs is another option.

YOUR SAY
What makes a great barbecue?

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Janetneve3009

I love image 3 by Nathan Burkett Design, is that an internal courtyard in the same house?

Like 24 March 2015 at 7:34pm

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Luke

Awesome article. Love the hinged BBQ cover and the last photo by Outhouse Design

Like 25 March 2015 at 11:54am

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Shane Porter

BBQ's are best enjoyed out in the open air. Sunny afternoons with a beer and friends and family. I'd much be standing a this BBQ I built a few years ago.