It’s nice to eat out in the garden from time to time, but what if you fancy hosting a few more outdoor parties this year? Well, you’re going to need a BBQ friendly garden to host them in. But designing the lawn and yard space available can be a little tricky; it’s hard to make use of natural nooks and crannies when you’ve got anything from a dining set, pergola, and outdoor kitchen to fit in! But if your heart is set on it, let’s get the concept off to a great start with the design tips down below.

Pexels Image – CC0 Licence

Start By Clearing Up

You can’t design an alfresco eating paradise without cleaning off all the debris! If the winter has left you with a lot of fallen leaves and twigs, as well as grassy knolls and mud creeping out everywhere, start pruning the plants back and trim as many turf edges as you can. Cut them back until they look neat – they’ll grow back even stronger in the summer, so don’t worry about going too far here. 

Place Your BBQ First

You might have your eye on a lovely set of teak garden chairs, but for the time being your focus should be BBQ only! Save the furniture purchases for later! Whether it’s a small round pot on three legs or it’s a full brick pizza oven, fit it first and then design everything else around it. 

So pick a spot to put it; it doesn’t have to be the centre of attention, but it does need its own, dedicated area. Maybe pushed out of the way, where it can be covered from the elements whilst still easily reached? A BBQ nook is very on trend right now! 

Create a Communal Feeling

A communal feeling is something you want to take part in. For an outdoor space you want to eat and revel in, this means creating a welcoming feel. Plenty of comfortable furniture, something clean (and even warm) to walk over, as well as good lighting and a sense of privacy from the rest of the world. 

Above all else, design with this concept in mind. Ask yourself: what would make you want to spend time outdoors? And even when it’s a bit cold and potentially drizzling? Whatever you decide, put it outside! 

Watch Out for the Weather

A covered BBQ nook is one thing, but try to cover the entire area around it as well. You don’t want to be dining out when the rain suddenly comes down, as it’s likely to do in this country! A simple canvas awning would work here, but you can also set up a full trellis and cover it in plant vines and flowers; they’ll do most of the work catching raindrops. 

If you’re a BBQ lover, make sure your garden space reflects that this year! Design it to fit your needs, handle the weather well, and to be as inviting as possible when people first see it.

Collaborative post