No matter the season, backyard BBQs bring a spark of life to everyday dining. A backyard BBQ area is great place to bring guests for low-key dinners and parties, and they're the perfect spot to enjoy good company, great food, and fresh air. There's something about cooking and eating outdoors that allows you to relax and enjoy the unique experience. Rain or shine, large yard or small, there's a perfect backyard BBQ area design for you and your family!

Create a Covered Sports Lounge

A covered sports lounge combines an open pit with a sheltered area off to the side, offering a low-key cooking zone and a seated sports area. If you run electricity to the site, you can host the game by mounting an outdoor TV to the wall while, under the soft glow of solar lights, your company relaxes by a cozy bar. You can cook your meal over the open pit and relax by the fire under the stars once the game ends. Add a dartboard and mini-fridge, and you've brought the sports bar experience to your backyard!

Build a Solid Brick Grill

Anyone can make a sturdy brick BBQ with clean, straight lines and simple construction! You can build in spots for wood storage, a preparation area, and a large grill, allowing you to cook mouthwatering meals over an open flame. Brick BBQs are a great addition to concrete patios because the brick and concrete work well together aesthetically. Plus, brick is a weather-resistant material that will help your BBQ stand the test of time.

Erect a Simple Shelter

Building the perfect backyard BBQ area doesn't have to be complicated. If you already have a basic grill, why not erect a simple shelter over it? Using wood, metal, or even plastic as a shelter allows you to BBQ in a variety of weather situations. Consider building a platform to elevate your BBQ off the ground, protecting the legs from the elements and giving you a clean area on which to stand. You can make the design as basic or detailed as you want. Try adding a few patio plants to the side of the space, or grow some climbing plants up the side of your shelter to add some life and color. You can turn your BBQ area into an outdoor seating area with a small table and chairs.

Put It on Wheels

If you have a large patio, deck, or tiled space, consider turning your BBQ into a rolling cart so that you can move it where you want! This allows you to build storage and shelving around your BBQ so that you have everything you need at your fingertips. Adding wheels allows you the freedom to rearrange your cooking station as well as any outdoor seating to accommodate different sizes of gatherings.

Embrace Open Flames

Who said you need a BBQ to have an outdoor BBQ space? Instead of buying a separate BBQ, embrace open flames and brick in a fire pit. With a simple grill across the top and some wood burning below on top of a bed of sand, you have a unique, authentic wood-fired grill that will give your backyard BBQ goodies a smoky flavor. Add some seating, and your open-flame cooking pit becomes a fantastic focal point of your backyard BBQ area.

Go Big

If you have the space, go big! Lay down a patio using pavers or concrete, then erect a large sheltered frame over your outdoor BBQ area. Add your grill, a fridge, and a wrap-around bar. Consider separate seating areas so you can have some guests lounging in comfy chairs while others sit chatting at the bar. Make the area shine with solar lights and decorate according to your style so that your backyard BBQ area will be one of a kind!

Keep It Small

If you have a small backyard, choose a BBQ idea with a small footprint that works with your space. Make use of existing fences to provide you with a backstop for your BBQ. Instead of an L-shaped bar, opt for a long, skinny counter with plenty of preparation space and storage. Keeping your BBQ close to your seating offers a cozy atmosphere where the chef and their guests can converse.

Make Use of a Shed

If you have a garden shed that you never use, consider converting it into your backyard BBQ area! Sheds provide the perfect place to store all the tools, utensils, and food you need to cook outdoors. Building off the shed, turn an overhang into the perfect shelter over your grill and your seating area. You can store your outdoor furniture inside the shed, and when you're not cooking, you can even roll the grill inside to keep it sheltered from harsh weather.

Add Interest With a Pergola

Building or installing a simple pergola is a great way to draw interest to your backyard BBQ area. Pergolas help highlight the cooking area and are visually appealing. Made from rot-resistant wood, metal, or plastic, they can provide a structure perfect for trellising plants or providing shade. Let plants grow on a trellis up the sides, cover the top with some fabric, or hang fragrant flower pots from the beams to add beauty to your backyard space.

Keep It Clean and Fresh

There's more to cooking than the grill you use. You also need a space to keep your food fresh and a way to clean up after the meal. Add a fridge and sink to your backyard BBQ area to combine the preparation, cooking, storage, and cleaning in one location! No more running back and forth to the house to grab condiments or wash off your cooking utensils. Prep, cook, and clean all in one simple, convenient space.

Get Creative With Storage

Shelves overflowing with BBQ supplies can be an eyesore. Instead, try a creative solution that keeps your BBQ area looking clean while protecting the tools you need to keep ready at hand. A simple box with a drop-down cover provides an easy preparation surface while hiding your BBQ tools from sight when the lid is closed. Add some basic shelves for larger items, hooks for your flippers, tongs, and BBQ scrapers, and get a lock to keep everything latched up tightly when you're not around.

Create an Amazing Backyard BBQ Area!

There are many ideas about adding a BBQ area to your backyard space. No matter the size of your yard, the number of guests you plan on having over, or the equipment you use, there's an idea that will help you create a fantastic BBQ area in your space.

What does your backyard BBQ area look like? Leave your favorite design ideas in the comments below!