How to create a comfortable space for barbecue in the country?

Choosing the best location

The main question you need to ask yourself before setting up a barbecue area at the dacha is where exactly to place it? To choose the right location for an outdoor barbecue area, make sure it meets the following requirements:

• Fire safety. An open fire should be located 10 meters from trees and wooden buildings, 5 meters from brick and concrete structures.
• Windlessness. Strong wind is the main enemy of an open fire, it can blow out and carry away burning chips. To avoid this, choose a place in a lowland or enclose the area with a fence.
• A short distance from the house. It is not very convenient when you have to walk from the kitchen to the barbecue area across the entire area. Place the grill nearby, but so that the smoke does not penetrate into the living quarters.
• Aesthetics. The garden barbecue area still exists not only for cooking, but also as a place for proper relaxation – especially if it is equipped with a dining table, sofa or armchairs. Take care of a beautiful view from the barbecue area.

The photo shows a covered gazebo with a stove

Also choose an open area by size: what exactly will be located in the recreation area? A small barbecue and a bench clearly require less space than a whole stove complex with a gazebo or dining room.

The barbecue area can be located near one of the walls of the house, but the fire source itself should be moved further away from the building.

Often, the barbecue area is located near the summer kitchen in the open air: this is logical, because you will not have to walk around the country site with plates and trays, everything will be at hand.

It is a good idea to organize a barbecue area at the dacha near other important objects: a swimming pool, a bathhouse. Then the recreation area will be large and include a lot of entertainment: from grilling to swimming.

Which type is better to use and when?

In order not to overload your head with terms, you should know only two main options for decorating the barbecue area: open and closed.

Open – a recreation area without a roof, with the most open layout. The main advantage of a patio is the simplicity of construction and the budget of the project. All you need is to choose a site, lay a fireproof floor covering, install a barbecue, grill or oven.

Advice! Use paving slabs, brick, stone, concrete as a foundation.

Closed – the main difference from the first is the presence of a roof. The design of the barbecue area can be made in the form of a full-fledged grill house, summer kitchen, gazebo, site with a canopy or pergola. A closed place for a barbecue requires more costs and effort during construction, but at the same time you can hide from the scorching sun, rain, wind and other bad weather. Grill houses can be used even in winter, especially those equipped with stoves or potbelly stoves.

Important! When designing a closed barbecue area at your dacha, don’t forget about the chimney: it will protect the recreation area from smoke.

The photo shows a metal barbecue complex

In addition to the type of construction, it is important to decide on the main element of the barbecue area: the source of fire. Options:

• Standard portable metal barbecue. Its advantage is compactness, can be moved from place to place.
• Stationary brick barbecue. Somewhat reminiscent of an oven, but more open. A long-term option for relaxing in the country.
• Charcoal grill. Not very suitable for grilling on skewers, but compact and ergonomic.
• Electric grill. Almost does not smoke, ideal for a summer kitchen with electricity, meets high safety requirements.
• Stationary stove. Universal: can replace a barbecue, oven, grill. Suitable for both frying meat and baking pies.

Important! When installing a barbecue or oven in a closed wooden house, make a stone or iron base under it – this will protect the building from fire, even if coal accidentally falls on the floor.

As an addition, take a closer look at tandoors, ovens for a cauldron, braziers, smokehouses.

In addition to functional fire sources, there are also decorative ones that help create coziness and warmth. A round fire pit will fit perfectly into an open recreation area: place sun loungers or comfortable chairs around it and enjoy bikes by the fire at least every evening.

The photo shows an outdoor stove in the garden

How to set up a barbecue: furniture and lighting?

The barbecue area begins with the barbecue, but does not end there. You will need a convenient table for cutting food, storing the necessary utensils or serving for cooking. This can be a small tabletop (often they are made part of the barbecue structure, ideal in a small barbecue area), or a whole kitchen set with drawers and doors (relevant for a closed space, a summer kitchen).

The dining area is often made here: it includes a dining table with chairs or benches. In a covered room, the seats can be soft, and in a space without a roof, put only garden furniture protected from UV and moisture. Metal, plastic or wicker products are suitable. Put pillows made of waterproof outdoor fabric on top – they will add comfort. Regular ones will do, but they will have to be brought into the house each time.

The improvement of a large barbecue area can be continued by organizing a lounge: put sun loungers or sun loungers, make a fire pit or dig a small decorative pond. It will be comfortable to relax here while food is being cooked or after a hearty dinner.

Tip! You can make your own lounge furniture from regular pallets.

The photo shows a large lounge area with lighting

When drawing a plan of an ideal relaxation space with a barbecue in your head, don’t forget about lighting. Firstly, there should be a bright lantern or ceiling lamp above the cooking area – otherwise, in the twilight, you simply won’t be able to tell whether the food has cooked.

Secondly, lighting is necessary above the dining table. The easiest way is to hang 1-2 (depending on the size) ceiling lamps.

And the last nuance: decorative light. A garland or dim lanterns will come in handy when you are simply enjoying the fresh air and soulful communication with loved ones.

The photo shows a budget fabric gazebo

How can you decorate it?

When arranging a barbecue area, decor plays one of the important roles: it is what will make the overall look complete. The choice of decorations depends on the type of barbecue structure.

Open

It is not convenient to place vases or hang pictures in the open air, so the decor here will be as natural as possible, integrated into the overall landscape design:

• Read also

  How to beautifully decorate garden paths for a summer residence?

  Flowers. The most inexpensive and effective way to create a festive mood. Flowerpots on the foundation, flower beds around, vertical beds – use your imagination and distribute your favorite plants throughout the area.

• Wattle. A traditional wattle fence is suitable as a decorative fence and for zoning – hang pots on its pegs, plant beautiful plants nearby.
• Climbing plants. Vines are ideal decorators! They grow quickly (especially hops, ivy, maiden grapes), create shade, protect from the wind. Put supports over the dining area and let the plants grow freely – by the middle of summer you will have a practically closed area.
• Pergolas. Beautiful structures with a mesh roof will not protect from the rain, but they will add a special charm to your garden. Plants can also climb on them.
• Stones. Natural material looks perfect in the bosom of nature: they are used to lay out fences, woodsheds, garden paths, ennoble the barbecue.
• Fire pit. We have already mentioned this option and we will say it again: an organized fire will make any site cozier.
• Pond. A decorative pond with aquatic plants, floating figures and lighting pleases the eye and helps you relax.

Wattle. A traditional wattle fence is suitable as a decorative fence and for zoning – hang pots on its pegs, plant beautiful plants nearby.

Climbing plants. Vines are ideal decorators! They grow quickly (especially hops, ivy, maiden grapes), create shade, protect from the wind. Put up supports over the dining area and let the plants grow freely – by the middle of summer you will have a practically closed area.

Pergolas. Beautiful structures with a mesh roof will not protect from rain, but they will add a special charm to your garden. Plants can also climb on them.

Stones. Natural material looks perfect in the bosom of nature: they are used to lay out fences, woodsheds, garden paths, and to ennoble the barbecue.

Fire pit. We have already mentioned this option and we will say it again: an organized fire will make any site more comfortable.

Pond. A decorative pond with aquatic plants, floating figures and lighting pleases the eye and helps to relax.

The photo shows a pergola with curtains

Closed

Here the decorations will be something between a dacha and a house:

• Flowers in pots, vases. Dead wood or fresh bouquets, plants in pots instead of open ground. Place or hang wherever you wish.
• Garlands and lanterns. Many people underestimate light, but in the absence of open fire, it is the light bulbs that will create coziness.
• Textiles. Since there is no need to be afraid of rain and wind, give yourself free rein and buy bright, beautiful textiles: tablecloths, pillows, blankets, curtains.
• Kitchen utensils. Dishes such as a samovar or a beautiful dish are a decoration in themselves. Bundles of garlic, onions, and peppers are also appropriate. By the way, you can keep the table set: it always looks appropriate.
• Baskets. A very country accessory: you can store firewood, food, utensils inside.

The photo shows a relaxation area with a pond, stove, bench

Design ideas

The layout and dimensions of the space largely determine the design. A small area will look beautiful with a forged barbecue: you can find models with a roof (to protect food from the rain), convenient hooks for storing a shovel, poker, a step at the bottom for firewood.

A stationary barbecue area at the dacha is located on a large free area. The stove can be built in the Russian tradition or given an oriental outline. Consider the need to store firewood, tools, and utensils. It would be nice to have a built-in countertop.

The complex as a whole is made in various styles:

• Modern. Lots of glass, metal, concrete, straight shape.
• Oriental. Bright shades, unusual roof, round shapes.
• Chalet. Combination of wood and stone finishes, use of large beams, cross-shaped intersections.
• High-tech. Clear lines, louvered walls, straight roof, panoramic windows.
• Boho. Lots of textiles (pillows, curtains), flowers, natural decor.
• Provence. White color, elegant furniture, carved shutters.
• Country. The main difference is natural rough wood used in construction, finishing, furniture, decor.

The photo shows an open summer kitchen