Spring is in the air, which means we’re fast approaching summer and barbeque season. As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to make the most of your backyard with an outdoor kitchen.
Building an outdoor kitchen is a fantastic way to make the most of your alfresco area but this doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune. Smart selections on low-maintenance and multi-functional products will ensure you have the ultimate barbeque area in no time.
Start from the ground up
The first step is to reclaim some of your grassed area to pave a small courtyard. This will provide a solid foundation to place cooking equipment and furniture. Select a place that’s far from your doors and windows to avoid smoke from the barbeque drifting inside.
An outdoor barbeque area can double as a dining space so it’s important to use a paving product that is easy to maintain and can withstand high foot traffic. Concrete pavers are great as they’re hardwearing and can withstand harsh elements.
Get your grill on
Whether you’re giving an existing barbeque area a much needed refresh or building an entirely new zone, there are a number of different things to consider.
The first is to bear in mind the space that you’re working with. If you have a small garden or courtyard, consider the scale of what you’re putting in it. If your garden is small, then it might benefit more from having the barbeque tucked away in a corner or against a wall.
If you’re lucky enough to have a large backyard, opt for the complete outdoor kitchen experience, featuring a built-in barbeque. Ensure that there is plenty of space for prep work, cooking, serving and cleaning. Installing a range hood or fan is also a good idea to avoid annoying the neighbours.
Once your grill is up and running, make sure you have all the right tools and cleaning supplies for easy maintenance. It’s recommended that you give your barbeque a good clean with warm soapy water after each use.
Get creative with built-in furniture
Space is at a premium so it’s important to avoid clutter at all costs. Extending the functional value of the products you use to create your alfresco courtyard is key. Garden walls can double as bench seating using Adbri Masonry’s AB Courtyards blocks – suitable for gatherings of all sizes. Clever lighting and heating products can also cater for intimate and more extravagant dinners as well as a casual ‘neighbourhood barbeque’.
Turn up the heat
When designing an outdoor space, including appropriate heating and lighting solutions are crucial for creating a comfortable ambience all year round.
Portable gas heaters can do the job but in many cases they’re hard to store and can become an eyesore. For a more modern approach, opt for a ceiling mounted heating and lighting option, and for true style, check out a two-in-one solution like the IXL Fresco Aurora Outdoor Heater.
The IXL Fresco Aurora Outdoor Heater combines ambient infrared heat, dimmable task lighting and coloured mood lighting in one cleverly and sleek designed unit. Its technology savvy and can be controlled through a free app via your smartphone, making it easy to set and change your heating and lighting preferences.
