Transform the Outdoors into a Prime Entertainment Spot - Explore 15 Innovative Grill Setups for Summer's Best Gatherings
Summer is quickly approaching, and it's the perfect time to upgrade your outdoor living space with a built-in grill station. These elegant additions are available in a variety of sizes and styles that seamlessly blend with your garden design, providing a stunning spot for al fresco cooking, dining, and entertaining.
While planning your new outdoor kitchen setup might seem daunting, careful consideration of essential factors can ensure a successful project. Start by finding a sheltered location to protect your grill from the elements and invest in features that will make it a fully functional cooking zone. With a bit of forethought, the result may become your favorite outdoor dining, lounging, and gathering spot.
To help you get started, we've gathered expert advice on designing the ideal outdoor kitchen grill. Following are five ideas to inspire your al fresco cooking haven.
- Design a Built-In Grill With All-Season Amenities
To create a setting conducive to convivial gatherings, set up a kitchen and lounging area for extended socializing. If space permits, consider investing in a fully equipped cooking area with a grill, refrigerator, storage, and more. Enhance comfort and functionality with weather-resistant furniture.
Craig Davies, managing director of Sub-Zero & Wolf UK, suggests envisioning your outdoor kitchen as an extension of your indoor space. Ideally, it should provide everything needed for meal preparation without frequent trips inside the house. "For a truly seamless experience," says Davies, "include outdoor refrigeration for fresh ingredients and chilled beverages, warming drawers to keep pre-cooked food ready to serve, a sink with ample preparation area, and outdoor storage for BBQ tools, bowls, trays, condiments, gas bottle, and grill cover."
- Bring Your Grill to a Ledge if Space is Limited
Don't let a lack of space prevent you from enjoying an outdoor kitchen. There's always a clever solution waiting to be discovered. Take this example, designed by AOD, which incorporates a grill into a custom wood-and-steel frame, tucked beneath an upper deck. This arrangement serves as a transitional landing, providing both functionality and unobtrusiveness.
"The grill is built into a custom frame that echoes the home's horizontal lines, while granite counters and warm wood tones provide a clean, understated finish," says Jose Roberto Corea, design principal and owner of Austin Outdoor Design. "A slim shelf for storage keeps the space clutter-free and functional."
- Opt for Tiles Behind the Grill for a Design Boost
Giving your outdoor kitchen a dose of style is key to enhancing the overall appeal and upping your al fresco dining experience. Match beautiful countertops with eye-catching tiles, such as weatherproof porcelain, which add an elegant touch to your grilling area while protecting it from the elements.
Take inspiration from the built-in outdoor grill designed by Marie Flanigan of Marie Flanigan Interiors. "We aimed to create a seamless extension of the home, blending functionality, sophistication, and natural beauty," explains Flanigan. "The soft stone surfaces, patterned tile backsplash, and stainless-steel appliances are all designed to invite connection and make entertaining effortless."
- Embrace Bold Colors for Impact
Let nature's colors contrast with the tones of your outdoor space, elevating the look of your built-in grill. Consider painting or installing tiles in an eye-catching color from the latest exterior paint trends lists, such as Tuscan Red or Nether Red, for rich, earthy tones that offer instant design impact.
"A darker color can feel far more restful and embracing in an outdoor living or dining area," says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. She adds, "Choosing an Intelligent Masonry Paint protects your exterior walls, giving them a long lifespan and providing a finish that is versatile and suitable for brickwork, new render, cement blockwork, and previously painted surfaces."
- Consider Adding a Pizza Oven to The Lineup
A pizza oven might just become your secret weapon for the perfect outdoor kitchen. Having both a grill and a pizza oven within arm's reach encourages you to prep everything from meats, veggies, and breads outside, without the need to dash back inside the house.
Place the appliances thoughtfully to allow ample space for cooking and serving. "We consider function first and work around that," says Amy Storm, principal of Amy Storm & Company. "Positioning the grill so there's ample space on one or both sides makes cooking and serving much easier. Take advantage of the space below by using built-in stainless cabinetry or outdoor cabinet systems to store tools or prepped food."
With meticulous planning, your dream outdoor kitchen is within reach. Keep these expert ideas in mind as you plan your al fresco cooking haven.
- The ideal outdoor kitchen design can foster convivial gatherings by incorporating a kitchen and lounging area for extended socializing.
- Craig Davies suggests viewing the outdoor kitchen as an extension of your indoor space, providing everything necessary for meal preparation without frequent indoor trips.
- For a more compact outdoor kitchen setup, consider installing a grill within a custom wood-and-steel frame, tucked beneath an upper deck.
- Elevate your outdoor kitchen's aesthetic appeal by pairing beautiful countertops with eye-catching, weatherproof tiles for a design boost and protection against the elements.
- Let nature's colors contrast with your outdoor space by painting or installing bold, trendy-colored tiles, such as Tuscan Red or Nether Red, for a striking visual impact.
- The addition of a pizza oven to your outdoor kitchen can transform your al fresco dining experience, making it easier to prepare a variety of dishes without having to move inside.
- Thoughtful positioning of appliances is essential to allow ample space for cooking and serving, as suggested by Amy Storm.
- Invest in a fully equipped outdoor living space, including a grill, refrigerator, storage, and weather-resistant furniture, to create your favorite outdoor dining, lounging, and gathering spot for food-and-drink-centric lifestyle.
