13 Ideas to Get Your Barbecue Area Summer-Ready
You'll enjoy those balmy nights all the more if your outdoor cooking and eating area is looking and acting its best
When the weather cooperates, there are few meals more pleasant than those you can enjoy in your own backyard. The fresh air and hot barbecue have a way of conjuring a holiday mood – even if you are only grilling up a quick weeknight dinner. Get inspired to make over your barbecue zone for luxurious outdoor dining with these 13 ideas.
2. Accent with steel for a modern look
Lots of outdoor kitchens use stone and wood (which can be beautiful), but modern spaces cry out for something sleeker. Stainless steel benchtops are a great fit, and galvanised steel Tolix stools bring a little industrial cool.
Lots of outdoor kitchens use stone and wood (which can be beautiful), but modern spaces cry out for something sleeker. Stainless steel benchtops are a great fit, and galvanised steel Tolix stools bring a little industrial cool.
3. Add a prep zone
Whether you have an outdoor sink plumbed or simply add a freestanding work table, a well positioned prep area is what will transform just a barbecue into a true outdoor kitchen. Be sure to include an easy-to-clean work surface and some storage for frequently used tools.
Whether you have an outdoor sink plumbed or simply add a freestanding work table, a well positioned prep area is what will transform just a barbecue into a true outdoor kitchen. Be sure to include an easy-to-clean work surface and some storage for frequently used tools.
4. Stay cool with a big umbrella
An extra large freestanding umbrella offers more flexibility than one attached to the table. Use it to shade the prep area (keeping food out of the sun), then move it to cover the eating area when it’s time to sit down.
An extra large freestanding umbrella offers more flexibility than one attached to the table. Use it to shade the prep area (keeping food out of the sun), then move it to cover the eating area when it’s time to sit down.
5. Make your barbecue area a mini destination
While you will sacrifice some convenience, locating your barbecue and eating area away from the house can make eating al fresco feel like a getaway. Take advantage of a great view, flip burgers by the pool, or hide away in a secluded garden nook.
While you will sacrifice some convenience, locating your barbecue and eating area away from the house can make eating al fresco feel like a getaway. Take advantage of a great view, flip burgers by the pool, or hide away in a secluded garden nook.
6. Add a roof for all-weather cooking
If your barbecue is out in the open, consider adding a shelter to protect the cook during a sudden downpour. Just be sure that any structure is a safe distance from the barbecue to avoid fires.
If your barbecue is out in the open, consider adding a shelter to protect the cook during a sudden downpour. Just be sure that any structure is a safe distance from the barbecue to avoid fires.
7. Cook campfire-style
Is roughing it more your style? Forego the fancy barbecue entirely in favour of a stone fire pit with attached grilling grates.
More: The Essential Guide to Fire Pits
Is roughing it more your style? Forego the fancy barbecue entirely in favour of a stone fire pit with attached grilling grates.
More: The Essential Guide to Fire Pits
8. Try window service
If your barbecue set-up is near the house, a servery to the kitchen can be extremely handy – and fun! Pull up a couple of stools on the outside, and you’ll have your own little bar, too.
If your barbecue set-up is near the house, a servery to the kitchen can be extremely handy – and fun! Pull up a couple of stools on the outside, and you’ll have your own little bar, too.
9. Consider a mini fridge
If you cook outside a lot, it may be worth adding a small fridge to your barbecue area. It’s perfect for keeping meat at hand yet out of the sun – and for storing icy beverages for the chef.
If you cook outside a lot, it may be worth adding a small fridge to your barbecue area. It’s perfect for keeping meat at hand yet out of the sun – and for storing icy beverages for the chef.
10. Slim down furniture
A slender table with bench seats will fit the most guests in tight quarters. If you really need every spare inch, choose benches that can tuck under the table and push the whole thing against the wall when it’s not in use.
A slender table with bench seats will fit the most guests in tight quarters. If you really need every spare inch, choose benches that can tuck under the table and push the whole thing against the wall when it’s not in use.
11. Maximise your space
Having something built in to exactly fit a space is ideal, because you won’t waste any space. The outdoor kitchen shown here was ingeniously built right into the deck railing for a sleek look that really maximises the space.
Having something built in to exactly fit a space is ideal, because you won’t waste any space. The outdoor kitchen shown here was ingeniously built right into the deck railing for a sleek look that really maximises the space.
12. Accessorise
Gather ingredients on a pretty tray (bonus: It’s great for transporting items from the house), deck out the prep area with a few pot plants and keep frequently used sauces and oils within reach.
Gather ingredients on a pretty tray (bonus: It’s great for transporting items from the house), deck out the prep area with a few pot plants and keep frequently used sauces and oils within reach.
13. Set a mood at night with lighting
A combination of landscape lighting and direct lighting over the barbecue area will offer the right balance of function and ambience.
TELL US
Are you updating your barbecue area set-up this summer? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
10 Patio Additions to Bring on Summer in Style
10 Steps to Hosting the Ultimate Barbecue All Year Round
9 Ways to Keep Your Barbecue Area in Tiptop Shape
9 Tips for a Functional and Stylish Outdoor Kitchen
A combination of landscape lighting and direct lighting over the barbecue area will offer the right balance of function and ambience.
TELL US
Are you updating your barbecue area set-up this summer? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
10 Patio Additions to Bring on Summer in Style
10 Steps to Hosting the Ultimate Barbecue All Year Round
9 Ways to Keep Your Barbecue Area in Tiptop Shape
9 Tips for a Functional and Stylish Outdoor Kitchen
Watching the chef at the barbecue is half the fun – encourage spectators by setting up a bar-height table and stools near the barbecue. Go for a built-in, like the gorgeous stone version shown here, or just set up a bar-height outdoor table and chairs.