Add a Barbecue to the Landscape

Gardengates | Mar 2, 2011 |

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Expand your home's useful space by adding a barbecue to your yard.

No matter what time of year it is, people always seem to associate having a barbecue with fun and relaxation. If you live where winters are mild, you can still grill outdoors. You can also extend the barbecue season by designing an outdoor heater into your grilling and eating area to make temperatures more comfortable when it gets a bit chilly outdoors. Of course, barbecues can be enjoyed by everyone when the weather is comfortable.

Barbecues come in all sizes and shapes. You can buy a little portable unit to fire up whenever and wherever you want to grill in your yard. You can purchase a ready-designed barbecue complete with countertop space, you can make building a barbecue into a do-it-yourself project, or you can have one designed and built for you to fit any specifications.

A build-in barbecue will be most successful if it is designed with materials the echo the design, style and materials used in other parts of your garden. Think of how the structure will fit into your garden. Do you want it located on a patio? Do you want a roof overhead? Make sure you provide for vents for heat and smoke. Which way do you want your barbecue to face? Look at the different views of your garden. Is it convenient? Make sure you locate your cooking area to be convenient to the kitchen so you can bring food to and from the grill easily. And if you did not build in a water source, keep in mind that you will need access to water for both cooking and cleaning.

Remember that you can have a simple barbecue and still enjoy outdoor cooking. If you have the budget, you can choose to add a baking, pizza or warming oven. Sinks can be designed into your barbecue space as can different cutting surfaces and countertops of wood, stone, tile, Corian or other materials.

Make sure the flooring you use around your barbecue is practical, easy to clean and can handle spills and grease. And plan seating nearby so the tasty treats you produce can be eaten comfortably nearby. So whether you go for something simple, elaborate or anything in between, add a barbecue to your landscape. You won’t regret it.