As Australians, we spend so much time in our outdoor spaces. Having your entertaining spaces up to standard is typically a top priority coming into the summer months. The ideal outdoor BBQ area needs to be the perfect combination of functional, inviting and weatherproof. So, if you’re ready to overhaul your BBQ area, here are our designer tips for creating the ultimate modern outdoor entertaining area.
Sizing up your BBQ area
Whether you’re transforming an existing area or starting with a fresh canvas, it’s important to get your planning right. Instead of trying to envision the area in your head, drawing your design to scale will help you get a clear view of the area. You have to work with and how to make the most of your BBQ space – you might even discover areas you hadn’t thought to incorporate. For example, that unusable cement nook around the side of the house which used to be a carport could give you a private BBQ oasis area, without compromising on play area space in the yard.
A well-thought plan will help your tradesmen and contractors understand what you’re trying to achieve, saving you any miscommunication and expensive misunderstandings.
The outdoor kitchen
Some like it simple with a standalone gas BBQ which can be moved and rearranged. Others looks for a more permanent fixture in a full-service outdoor kitchen, complete with wood-fired pizza oven and all the latest appliances, and if you’ve got the space for it – why not!
There are four zones to consider for building an outdoor kitchen you’ll love: the prep zone, cooking zone, cleaning zone and serving zone. Get these four right for you, while accommodating the appliances you’ll need to create a functional yet enviable space.
Our top tiling advice: Give your kitchen splashback personality with outdoor feature wall tiles. You can do this with colourful or patterned mosaic tiles or large format Australian stone, which is a great tile for outdoor use and pays homage to the Australian landscape.
Your outdoor BBQ flooring options
Your outdoor floor tiles can be a really simple way to create designated entertaining zones, from the kitchen to the serving area. The BBQ area is likely to be a heavy traffic area. You need to opt for non-slip outdoor tiles is a wise choice. Outdoor patio tiles such as Platinum Travertine are perfect for creating a French-inspired alfresco area, while Wood-look tiles are ideal if you love authentic hardwood flooring, but don’t want the added maintenance. Be sure to avoid colour clashes with your pool tiles. Better yet, re-do your pool tiles to match your new BBQ area.
As one of the leading stone and tile suppliers in Australia, Stone & Tile Studio have exclusive access to premium tile manufacturers in Italy and Spain. Take the time to see and feel our superior stone and tile range at our Zillmere Design Centre and speak to one of our design consultants on how you can make your modern outdoor BBQ area stylish, timeless and luxurious year-round.
