Barbecue area ideas for all types of gardens

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Here are some ideas for how to design your barbecue area to make the most of your space for alfresco cooking and eating.

Small outdoor barbecue area ideas

Use a mobile barbecue

In a small garden, a barbecue that can be moved into a shed or out of the way is a simple way to save space when not cooking outdoors. There are several types of barbecues with wheels, including larger models with two wheels for easy transportation and smaller round kettle barbecues, which will also save space on the patio.

Cook with a tabletop barbecue

Tabletop barbecues range from the type of portable model that you could take to the beach, to this type of wood burning stove, which has two ovens but can still be used on a table. Using a barbecue on a table, means you can utilise the area underneath the table for storage, whether that's for fuel, plates or cooking equipment.

Create an outdoor eating area

Choose a barbecue to suit your eating space. On a square patio, a rectangular gas or charcoal barbecue can fit neatly into a corner, leaving room for a dining area nearby and making the most of available space. Remember to leave space behind a gas barbecue as they get very hot at the back.

Simple ideas for your barbecue area

Use a prep table

Keep your barbecue area organised with a prep table. If you don't have the room for an outdoor kitchen, or cook enough outdoors to make one worthwhile, a prep table is the ideal solution. It provides extra space next to your barbecue for preparing food, storing plates or serving up.

Cook on a firepit

Toasting marshmallows over a firepit. Getty Images

Use a firepit to keep warm outdoors on a late summer evening, and at the same time make the most of the heat to cook up some sausages, roast vegetables or toast marshmallows. Choose a fire pit that comes with a grill and it couldn't be easier.

Covered barbecue area ideas

Sheltered barbecue station

If you plan to do a lot of outdoor cooking, it's worth having a sheltered area for your barbecue or having it installed it as part of an outdoor kitchen. This will give you cover from the elements year-round as well as providing space to prepare food and store utensils and cooking equipment to save on constantly ferrying items to and from the house. Shelters for barbecues range from simple structures to complete outdoor kitchens.

Design an outdoor room

Incorporate your barbecue into an outdoor room, beneath a pergola or outdoor shelter that can be used for cooking, eating and as a seating area. Adding plants, as above, helps to link an outdoor room to the garden.

DIY barbecue area ideas

Build a brick barbecue

Cooking on a brick barbecue. Getty Images

Build a brick barbecue yourself and you'll able to design it to your own specifications. Choose bricks that complement your hard landscaping and house colour. Alternatively, you can buy a brick barbecue kit online.

Buy a brick barbecue kit from B&Q

Advice on buying a barbecue

Check the size of barbecue is suitable for your space, especially for a gas barbecue which needs space behind it
Consider the type of barbecue that would be best for your needs – how fast do you want to be able to cook, how often will you use it, do you want a low maintenance barbecue?
If you are only using your barbecue once to twice a season, there are plenty of compact, budget models that can be put away in a shed when not in use
For year-round cooking, consider a barbecue that can be left outside, or even one that is part of an outdoor kitchen

Where to buy a barbecue

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to put a barbecue in the garden?

Gas and electric barbecues both get very hot at the back, so make sure these are placed away from hedges, window frames, artificial living walls or anything flammable. All barbecues should be placed at a safe distance (ideally 3m) from trees, wooden furniture, thatch roofs and the house. This may not always be possible in a small garden, but in this case, consider the size of barbecue when purchasing to ensure it can be kept at a safe distance from flammable items and people moving around the patio.

Check that the area is well-ventilated, especially if you are having a barbecue under a pergola or covered area. Choose a spot for your barbecue that is close to the kitchen, but not too near the back door as smoke will blow indoors.

How big should a barbecue area be?

That depends on your garden size, the number of people you are cooking for and any storage space that's needed. On a patio a barbecue area could simply include a kettle drum or tabletop bbq, with enough room around it to cook safely, and somewhere to sit. In a larger garden, a barbecue area could include an outdoor kitchen, which can be around 3-4m long, including work surfaces, plus a seating area for guests. The important factor to consider, is how much room you need to cook safely with a barbecue and guests in your outdoor space.

How should I organise a barbecue area?

A few things that make a barbecue area organised include having a table for food preparation, hooks on your work station or bbq for utensils, and an outdoor eating area where people can help themselves to plates, condiments and so on. For extra work space, mobile carts are useful for hanging utensils and providing a place to put plates and cutlery. Having a bin outdoors can make clearing up easier and lighting is a good idea for evening barbecues.