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Cédric Meisse

13 Upgrades to Make Over Your Outdoor Grill Area

Posted by Cédric Meisse on Oct 21st, 2015

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When the weather cooperates, there are few meals more pleasant than those you can enjoy in yourown backyard. The fresh air and hot grill have a way of conjuring a vacation mood — even if you areonly grilling up a quick weeknight dinner. Get inspired to make over your grilling zone for luxuriousoutdoor dining with these 13 ideas.

Olive Branch Integrated Outdoor Design

1. Pull up a stool. Watching the chef at the grill is half the fun — encourage spectators by setting up a bar-heighttable and stools near the grill. Go for a built-in, like the gorgeous stone version shown here, or just set up a bar-heightoutdoor table and chairs.

austin outdoor design2. Accent with steel for a modern look. Lots of outdoor kitchens use stone and wood (which can be beautiful), butmodern spaces cry out for something sleeker. Stainless steel counters are a great fit, and galvanized steel Tolix stoolsbring a little industrial cool.

The Home Improvements Group, Inc.

3. Add a prep zone. Whether you have an outdoor sink plumbed or simply add a freestanding work table, a well-positioned prep area is what will transform just a grill into a true outdoor kitchen. Be sure to include an easy-cleanwork surface and some storage for frequently used tools.

The Garden Route Company

4. Stay cool with a big umbrella. An extra-large freestanding umbrella offers more flexibility than one attached tothe table. Use it to shade the prep area (keeping food out of the sun), then move it to cover the eating area when it’stime to sit down.

Sheldon Pennoyer Architects

5. Make your grill a mini destination . While you will sacrifice some convenience, locating your grill and eating areaaway from the house can make eating al fresco feel like a getaway. Take advantage of a great view, flip burgers bythe pool, or hide away in a secluded garden nook.

Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction

6. Add a roof for all-weather cooking. If your grill is out in the open, consider adding a shelter to protect the cook ina sudden downpour. Just be sure that any structure is a safe distance from the grill to avoid fires.

Sun Valley Landscaping

7. Cook campfire-style. Is roughing it more your style? Forgo the fancy grill entirely in favor of a stone fire pit withattached grilling grates.

Rice and Brown Architects

8. Try window service. If your grill setup is near the house, a pass-through to the kitchen can be extremely handy —and fun! Pull up a couple of stools on the outside, and you’ll have your own little bar, too.

Vidabelo Interior Design

9. Consider a mini fridge. If you cook out a lot, it may be worth it to add a small fridge to your grill area. It’s perfectfor keeping meat at hand yet out of the sun — and for storing icy beverages for the chef.

Stone Acorn Builders

10. Slim down furniture. A slender table with bench seats will fit the most guests in tight quarters. If you really needevery spare inch, choose benches that can tuck under the table and push the whole thing against the wall when it’snot in use.

austin outdoor design

11. Maximize your space. Having something built in to exactly fit a space is ideal, because you won’t waste an inch.The outdoor kitchen shown here was ingeniously built right into the deck railing for a sleek look that really maximizesthe space.

Sandy Koepke

12. Accessorize. Gather ingredients on a pretty tray (bonus: It’s great for carting items from the house), deck out theprep area with a few potted plants and keep frequently used sauces and oils within reach.

Donna Wax, Architect

13. Set a mood at night with lighting. A combination of landscape lighting and direct lighting over the grill area willoffer the right balance of function and ambience.

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