Outdoor Entertaining: Barbecue Inspiration for any Outdoor Space
BBQ season is upon us! Get ready to fire up the grill, whether you’re working with a large patio or a tiny balcony
As the temperature rises, the jumpers come off, the sunglasses go on and the barbecues are fired up. Nothing beats the smell of freshly grilled meats and veggies on a mild summer’s eve. With a bit of creativity, a barbecue can fit into almost any outdoor space, from patios, decks and balconies to more sizable gardens. So give those grilling racks a scrub, stock up on fuel, call up some friends – and get those sausages sizzling.
Make it a design fixture
Stainless steel, strategically placed lighting and a smart work surface turn this barbecue into a designer dream.
The bifold doors ensure a seamless transition between the outdoor and indoor spaces, creating a stylish yet inviting area for chic evening gatherings. A built-in bench provides a spot where guests can sit with a glass of wine and chat to the chef.
Stainless steel, strategically placed lighting and a smart work surface turn this barbecue into a designer dream.
The bifold doors ensure a seamless transition between the outdoor and indoor spaces, creating a stylish yet inviting area for chic evening gatherings. A built-in bench provides a spot where guests can sit with a glass of wine and chat to the chef.
Hide it away
Although modern barbecues come in a variety of good-looking designs, sometimes you just want your outdoor space to be as appliance-free as possible. Particularly useful in a minimalist space, this sleek teak cabinet with a hinged canopy door allows the barbecue to make an appearance when needed, and then seamlessly hide away again.
Although modern barbecues come in a variety of good-looking designs, sometimes you just want your outdoor space to be as appliance-free as possible. Particularly useful in a minimalist space, this sleek teak cabinet with a hinged canopy door allows the barbecue to make an appearance when needed, and then seamlessly hide away again.
Embrace the urban
If you have a rooftop space, why not transform it into a modern urban retreat, complete with artificial lawn and laid-back beach chairs? By combining unencumbered city views with low-maintenance garden features, this rooftop becomes a perfect space for laid-back evening gatherings as well as envy-inducing summer parties.
Read everything you need to know about artificial lawns
If you have a rooftop space, why not transform it into a modern urban retreat, complete with artificial lawn and laid-back beach chairs? By combining unencumbered city views with low-maintenance garden features, this rooftop becomes a perfect space for laid-back evening gatherings as well as envy-inducing summer parties.
Read everything you need to know about artificial lawns
Squeeze it in
With some smart, multi-functional pieces, even the tiniest of balconies can squeeze in a barbecue. Sure, a tiny grill that hangs from a balcony’s railing, such as this one, won’t be able to successfully feed a crowd of 12 (where would they sit, anyway?), but it’s perfect for an intimate and cosy tête-à-tête.
A small, portable barbecue would work as well, but the beauty of a hanging design like this is that it doesn’t take up any valuable floor space.
With some smart, multi-functional pieces, even the tiniest of balconies can squeeze in a barbecue. Sure, a tiny grill that hangs from a balcony’s railing, such as this one, won’t be able to successfully feed a crowd of 12 (where would they sit, anyway?), but it’s perfect for an intimate and cosy tête-à-tête.
A small, portable barbecue would work as well, but the beauty of a hanging design like this is that it doesn’t take up any valuable floor space.
Add a dash of colour
When your barbecue proves to be both functional and stylish, it’s the best of both worlds. Here, a retro-inspired, cheery red design immediately adds colour to an otherwise restrained outdoor space. Bright primaries, vivid neons and sweet pastels are all great colours that can give your grill some extra style points.
When your barbecue proves to be both functional and stylish, it’s the best of both worlds. Here, a retro-inspired, cheery red design immediately adds colour to an otherwise restrained outdoor space. Bright primaries, vivid neons and sweet pastels are all great colours that can give your grill some extra style points.
Cover it up
Brits know how temperamental the weather can be. One minute, the sun is beating down and the next, the heavens have opened. In order to protect your summer gathering from both the sun and passing showers, cover your cooking and dining area.
Although anything from a chic parasol to a solid roof can do the trick, a stylish canopy like this one evokes a resort-like feel.
Brits know how temperamental the weather can be. One minute, the sun is beating down and the next, the heavens have opened. In order to protect your summer gathering from both the sun and passing showers, cover your cooking and dining area.
Although anything from a chic parasol to a solid roof can do the trick, a stylish canopy like this one evokes a resort-like feel.
Wheel it out
So you don’t happen to have the largest balcony in the neighbourhood? No worries. A handy wheeled barbecue can easily be brought out and stored back inside according to your needs.
Just make sure the grill gets a proper cleaning after each use, so no soot is dragged into your home and obviously, never light a barbecue indoors without the doors open for ventilation
So you don’t happen to have the largest balcony in the neighbourhood? No worries. A handy wheeled barbecue can easily be brought out and stored back inside according to your needs.
Just make sure the grill gets a proper cleaning after each use, so no soot is dragged into your home and obviously, never light a barbecue indoors without the doors open for ventilation
Merge indoor and outdoor spaces
A retractable roof is the perfect covering for a patio, creating a conservatory that’s useable all year round. Ensure the design will allow smoke to escape, even when the roof is not retracted.
A retractable roof is the perfect covering for a patio, creating a conservatory that’s useable all year round. Ensure the design will allow smoke to escape, even when the roof is not retracted.
Make it romantic
Who said barbecues can’t be romantic? Soft, diffused lighting in the form of paper lanterns, hurricane lights and fairy lights, as well as a pale, neutral colour scheme, can turn any old patio, balcony or back garden into an elegant yet sweet space – just perfect for dinner à deux.
Who said barbecues can’t be romantic? Soft, diffused lighting in the form of paper lanterns, hurricane lights and fairy lights, as well as a pale, neutral colour scheme, can turn any old patio, balcony or back garden into an elegant yet sweet space – just perfect for dinner à deux.
Build an intimate space
If you have a small patio, an integrated barbecue or grill can look stylish and unobtrusive. Make sure the appliance forms a seamless part of a levelled wall, and keep the rest of the space uncluttered. A mix of finishes, such as the rendered walls and polished wood in this design, keep the ensemble harmonious and elegant.
Explore 10 inspiring ways to perk up your patio
If you have a small patio, an integrated barbecue or grill can look stylish and unobtrusive. Make sure the appliance forms a seamless part of a levelled wall, and keep the rest of the space uncluttered. A mix of finishes, such as the rendered walls and polished wood in this design, keep the ensemble harmonious and elegant.
Explore 10 inspiring ways to perk up your patio
Integrate a bar and seating
A barbecue/bar area is perfect for summer entertaining, and masterfully captures an exclusive, resort-like vibe that will have you destined to host every single summer party for the foreseeable future.
A long bar with an integrated barbecue and some stylish, outdoor-friendly bar stools will ensure your guests stay in the heart of the action, and that the burger-to-plate time is kept to a minimum.
A barbecue/bar area is perfect for summer entertaining, and masterfully captures an exclusive, resort-like vibe that will have you destined to host every single summer party for the foreseeable future.
A long bar with an integrated barbecue and some stylish, outdoor-friendly bar stools will ensure your guests stay in the heart of the action, and that the burger-to-plate time is kept to a minimum.
Treat yourself to a pizza oven
If you have the space, and your taste for alfresco dining gravitates more towards Bella Italia than the steakhouse, why not install a wood-fired pizza oven instead?
An oven immediately gives purpose to any outside space and is perfect for social gatherings, since guests can choose their own pizza toppings and watch as they bubble away in your Mediterranean-inspired terracotta oven.
TELL US…
Are you a barbecue fan? What are your plans for the barbecue season? Share your ideas and tips in the Comments below.
If you have the space, and your taste for alfresco dining gravitates more towards Bella Italia than the steakhouse, why not install a wood-fired pizza oven instead?
An oven immediately gives purpose to any outside space and is perfect for social gatherings, since guests can choose their own pizza toppings and watch as they bubble away in your Mediterranean-inspired terracotta oven.
TELL US…
Are you a barbecue fan? What are your plans for the barbecue season? Share your ideas and tips in the Comments below.
Getting together for a barbecue is always a cheering affair. Food, beer, friends – what’s not to like? So regardless of your space, make sure your cooking and dining zone channels the proper vibe by sprucing it up with a cheeky print, some bunting, a vase of blooms or any other vibrant decorative accessories that fit your space and its size.
If you have a small outside space, a bit of fun décor enhances the cosiness of the gathering. Equally, if you have a large patio, some pops of colour and pattern can add character. Just as you would indoors, aim for some colour coordination – bonus points to these homeowners for matching the table settings and chair to the cook-space accessories.
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