Summer is here, which means it’s barbecue season. The warm weather will bring with it more requests for outdoor entertaining areas.
An alfresco area is a staple for every Australian home – it adds a new dimension to how we entertain while enhancing the appeal of a property. With outdoor rooms continuing to be one of the biggest trends in Australia, homeowners are looking for easy and affordable ways to spruce up this space.
Building an outdoor kitchen is a fantastic way to make the most of an alfresco. Smart selections on low-maintenance and multi-functional products will create the ultimate barbecue area in no time.
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Start From The Ground Up
The first step is to reclaim some of a grassed area and pave a small courtyard. This will provide a solid foundation to place cooking equipment and furniture. Select a place that’s far from doors and windows to avoid smoke from the barbecue drifting inside.
An outdoor barbecue 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 because they’re hardwearing and withstand harsh elements. Consider a paver with a smooth surface like Adbri Masonry’s Euro Classic – they’re easy to seal, clean and maintain over time.
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Get Your Grill On
Whether it’s giving your client’s existing barbecue area a much needed refresh or building an entirely new zone, there are a number of things to consider.
The first is to bear in mind the space that you’re working with. If it is a small garden or courtyard, consider the scale of what you’re putting in it. If the garden is small, then it might benefit more from having the barbecue tucked away in a corner or against a wall.
If you’re lucky enough to be working with a large backyard, opt for the complete outdoor kitchen experience, featuring a built-in barbecue. Ensure that there is plenty of space for prep work, cooking, serving and cleaning. Installing a range hood or fan is also advised to avoid smoke drifting into neighbouring properties.
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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 used to create an 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 barbecue’
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Turn Up The Heat
When designing an outdoor space, including an appropriate heating and lighting solution is 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. It’s technology savvy and can be controlled through a free app via your smartphone, making it easy to set and change the user’s heating and lighting preferences.