4 BBQ Area Design Ideas That Dish Up Style & Practicality

Despite the often unreliable weather in the UK, we Brits seem to relish the opportunity to fire up the BBQ during the summer – come rain or shine! 

But barbecues nowadays are so much more than a flimsy disposable foil tray filled with barely enough coals to cook one sausage. 

Modern barbecue enthusiasts have all the gear and the perfect BBQ area for cooking up a chargrilled culinary masterpiece.

This dream BBQ space doesn’t have to be just for the elite BBQ aficionados, though. 

Today, we’re sharing some top bbq area design ideas that will give you your dream outdoor kitchen space. 

1. Make your patio the BBQ zone 

Transforming your patio into a dedicated zone for barbecuing is a quick and easy way to combine comfortable seating with culinary functionality. 

This BBQ area idea comes with plenty of plus points. When entertaining, the head chef can still be fully involved in the conversation rather than miles away hidden behind plumes of smoke! 

Having the BBQ close to dining areas also makes it much easier to dish up edibles and tidy everything away.

However, it’s essential to get the layout right with this design. As a space with multiple uses, you want to optimise its functionality by positioning seating and cooking spaces appropriately.

From a safety point of view, BBQs should be positioned away from walkways and well ventilated, but reasonably close to food preparation areas. It also goes without saying it should not be directly downwind from seated areas – you don’t want to smoke out your guests!

To make your BBQ area feel more like a proper outdoor kitchen, it’s a good idea to invest in a table or free-standing cupboard for placing food and storing utensils.

2. Give your BBQ some shade

No, we’re not talking about disrespecting your BBQ! Instead, we mean giving your outdoor kitchen some actual shade from the sun (or rain)!

Cooking on a barbecue is hot work at the best of times, but with the added heat from the sun glaring on your back, you could find yourself feeling warmer than one of your sizzling chipolatas.

The answer? Install a canopy or cover to your outdoor kitchen area. Obviously, ideas need to factor in the fire element to make sure it can stand the heat.

For the best of both worlds, we’d recommend a slatted option that allows some light and air to filter through while still offering welcome shade. Of course, if you’d prefer full cover to make your outdoor bbq area usable in all weathers, ideas could include a simple lean-to design or maybe a fancy tinted glass roof.

Whatever design you choose, the trick is to make sure your cover height allows plenty of airflow through your bbq area with the idea of drawing smokey air out and fresh air in. 

3. Keep things compact

If you’re looking for small outdoor BBQ area ideas, we have you covered. 

To make the most of your outdoor kitchen space in the UK, forget the idea that you need a huge garden. You just need smart small garden bbq area design ideas.

First things first, get real with just how modest your garden is and invest in a BBQ that’s suitably sized. Yes, you may dream of a grill that can accommodate roasting a whole lamb, but the reality is a BBQ that big will take over the entire space. This means you won’t have room to invite anyone over to help you polish it off!

Instead, buy a smaller model that still has all the features you need but isn’t going to dominate a compact garden. 

The same rule applies to seating. Opt for a small dining set, possibly one that can be folded away to give you more space when you need it. 

Alternatively, make use of every inch of space. Built-in seating along the edges and corners is a great way to optimise space in small outdoor BBQ areas. It could be an idea to do a similar thing with the BBQ itself, integrating or building it along the edge of your patio space.

4. Champion outdoor living lifestyle

If space and budget allow, why not fully embrace the outdoor living lifestyle with a stylish yet simple BBQ area design? Ideas can include anything from a fully equipped outdoor kitchen with a built-in BBQ to a more modest mobile breakfast bar.

The opportunity to prepare food and dine outside is something many of us only experience on holiday. But with the right outdoor kitchen design ideas, UK homes can offer this luxury, too. 

The key here is to keep the design simple and durable as your outdoor BBQ kitchen area needs to be able to withstand exposure to all the elements (and be rodent-proof!). Opting for strong, robust materials like metal and natural stone is a good idea to make sure your outdoor kitchen area is easy to clean, while still giving you a sense of style.

In terms of layout, one simple outdoor kitchen idea is to run it along one wall. Alternatively, carve out a dedicated cooking space with an L-shaped workbench. With integrated cupboards and drawers for all your cooking essentials, this can help give your outdoor space defined zones.

If you’re feeling fired up to give your BBQ area a revamp with one of these ideas, don’t forget practical flooring. Take a look at our range of sleek, durable outdoor tiles for some ideas now. They come in a huge choice of colours and finishes, giving you the perfect foundation to build on when kitting out the rest of your outdoor kitchen space. 

For even more inspiration for your home, keep reading our interior design blog.