BBQ area ideas

Let's get ready for another summer of entertaining at home with these fabulous BBQ area ideas that will upgrade your outdoor space.

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With the days getting longer and the temperature rising, now’s the time to upgrade your outdoor space with these BBQ area ideas.

Whether you have a compact outdoor space, or a large garden to play with, the key to creating a good BBQ area is to ensure it's in a practical location, it's easy to use and everyone has a great time.

Take some inspiration from these fabulous barbecue area ideas and let's get ready for another summer of entertaining at home.

BBQ area ideas

Position your BBQ in a sociable spot near the outdoor dining area, so the chef can chat with guests while cooking up a feast.

Create a temporary outdoor kitchen by popping a side table next to the barbie area. This extra surface can then be used for food preparation, serving and providing an all-important spot for the chef's cold beverage!

Covered outdoor kitchen ideas

A covered outdoor kitchen is quite simply the ultimate luxury addition to your garden. Not only does it provide a cosy and comfortable dining area that can be used all year round, but it also doubles your cooking capacity and entertaining space.

Adding outdoor heaters and lighting to a covered outdoor kitchen area practically transforms it into another room, providing the ideal party venue. You'd even be able to use the area at Christmas, and free up valuable oven and surface space indoors. Genius!

BBQ patio ideas

For a wonderful ambience while eating your alfresco meal, plant aromatic plants around the BBQ patio and dining area to enjoy the scents. Add small shrubs such as lavender and rosemary that will release their fragrance when brushed past. Or add a pretty herb garden near your outdoor dining spot for fresh, easy-to-snip plants.

Finally, dress your table with breezy summer linens and foliage picked from the garden for an idyllic setting that will be hard to leave.

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Covered BBQ area ideas

A substantial cover that links your house with your BBQ area will ensure you can cook outdoors no matter what the weather (even in your slippers!).

Providing a dry, warm and protected cook zone, your covered barbecue area will be the envy of all your guests, particularly in the UK's unreliable summer months.

Small outdoor BBQ area ideas

Even the smallest of outdoor spaces, such as a balcony, can squeeze in a BBQ area. The key is to choose a compact BBQ, like a bucket style or a portable design, and then sit it on a sturdy ledge or table for a good cooking height.

When barbecuing in small outdoor spaces, be wary of hot utensils and be sure to give the chef plenty of room.

Small BBQ area ideas

In compact gardens, opt for a fire pit that doubles as a BBQ and create a dining area on the lawn if you don’t have a patio.

Protect the grass from the heat by laying a few paving slabs or bricks underneath the BBQ. A drinks trolley will add a special touch and also double as extra serving space if you don’t have a large outdoor table.