While it’ll still be a while before we feel the sun on our shoulders, the summer grilling season will be here sooner than you think! Even with the warm winter we’ve been having, I’m sure just about all of us are already dreaming of the return to outdoor dining—and better still, outdoor entertaining. If you’ve been mulling over a facelift for your BBQ area, now is the time to start planning so you can fire up the grill as early in the year as possible. Here are a few popular design feature ideas for outdoor BBQ spaces to inspire your vision!
Naturally, in any backyard BBQ area, you’ve got to have a grill. It’s important to be strategic about where your grill will be in relation to everything around it. For example, it shouldn’t be too close to wooden structures; you’ll be working with fire, fat, and even gas, so it’s best to play it safe. The grill should also be close enough to the main conversation area that the person grilling is still part of the fun, and they should be able to participate by turning their head to the side rather than shouting over their shoulder.
As far as the design of the grilling area goes, the most sophisticated-looking BBQ area designs position grills and smokers in their own built-in nooks that flow with the other surfaces around them, rather than floating somewhere on its own. This makes the whole design look really intentional and helps pull the other elements of the space together.
Say goodbye to the days of running in and out of the house to prep and fetch every last ingredient of your famous jalapeno cheddar dogs! Outdoor food prep space is a total game-changer, especially if you can integrate an outdoor mini-fridge to keep your drinks and slaws cool while you cook. Integrating lots of counter space into your design allows you to prep as you go, makes it easier for your co-host to help you out, and doubles as a buffet table when it’s time to serve a crowd.
When there are flames spitting below you and sunshine beating down from above, it can get a little toasty. Why stop at an umbrella for the dining table? Consider a pergola over the entire BBQ space, which not only keeps everyone out of the sun’s rays but also establishes the space as a “room” within the yard. A pergola still lets in plenty of light and airflow while buffering the sun’s intensity, and they’re great for putting up hanging baskets or covering with climbing plants like clematis, climbing roses, or wisteria.
No BBQ area design is complete without somewhere to chow down! The most important landscaping consideration for your dining area is to ensure the space is large enough for people to stretch out. You’ll want to consider the size of your dining set, plus at least three extra feet of space on each side of the table. After your party has demolished the last of your baby-back ribs and sucked back a few craft brews, they’re going to want to stretch out and relax. Allow even more room between the dining area and any food prep, grilling, or serving areas where people tend to crowd.
While we get a few nice sweater-free nights in Guelph, most of your grilling season will involve more than a few nippy evenings. While most people will know to bring a jacket, there’s nothing better on a chilly autumn evening than the warmth from a fire. There’s no shortage of options for integrating a fire pit into your BBQ area design; fire tables, fire bowls, fire pits, and even outdoor fireplaces can look great and offer an additional activity. After all the work you’ve put into cold-smoking, grilling, and carving that succulent brisket (not to mention all those sides!), a bag of marshmallows and a handful of roasting sticks is all you’ll need for a satisfying dessert.
If you miss your favourite pub, there’s no reason you can’t start your own at home! A home bar is just the spot for encouraging folks to mingle before dinner, and it doesn’t have to take up a lot of added space. Your food prep space can double as a bar with the addition of a wine cooler, beer fridge, or liquor cabinet below the countertop. Give the counter space of your bar plenty of overhang so you can tuck a few stools underneath.
Feeling fired up to plan your ultimate BBQ haven? Dave and I love to talk landscape design, and we’re still booking consultations for the 2021 season. Contact us today at 519.824.4998 or email us at landscapeservices@royalcitynursery.com to book!
