Creating the perfect outdoor entertaining area

Australians have a history of love for the outdoors. And it is no different when entertaining at home. More and more, we’re living, lounging and entertaining outside so it makes sense to make the outdoor space as functional as possible. 

The BBQ is the centre of any summer party and with the hotter season upon us, now is a great time to transform your outdoor space into a functional entertaining area. 

At Balnei & Colina, we enjoy helping clients create functional and beautiful outdoor kitchen areas. Here are some some helpful tips on how to create your ultimate alfresco haven. 

Robert Fonti

Director, Balnei & Colina

Image source: Sublime Architectural Interiors

 

Gettting the layout right

Whether you are designing a simple barbeque island bench or complete alfresco kitchen, it is important to create a design that provides you with the right balance of function and aesthetic . You’ll need to consider how people use the space - traffic flow through the area, designated areas for cooking and food preparation, as well as how the space will work with other outdoor areas like the alfresco lounge and dining.

The position of the outdoor kitchen is also important. Locating the kitchen close enough to an entry point of the main home is essential as party hosts will often need to easily access the inside whilst entertaining guests.  

 

Size does matter

How big is too big when it comes to the actual outdoor kitchen? Having worked on many outdoor spaces, the team at Balnei & Colina have a formula we think works perfectly if you have the requisite space (you can go slightly smaller or grander depending on your allotted alfresco size).

Image source: Balnei & Colina

For a full outdoor kitchen we recommend at least 3 metres in length which can include storage, a bar fridge, built in barbeque, and small sink. For maximum functionality, allow for a 900 mm barbeque with 600 mm of space on either side to allow for preparation and work space. Having more space means you have the luxury to customize, whether it be the introduction of a pizza oven, more bar/wine fridges, or additional appliances and storage within the outdoor kitchen itself.

 

Come rain, hail or shine

Your outdoor kitchen is going to be exposed to elements that your indoor kitchen will not be, such as wind, rain, and hail. This means that it is important to select surfaces that are more durable and able to withstand Australia’s often unpredictable weather.

Image source: Willem-Dirk du Toit

Finding products, appliances, and surfaces that won’t distort over time is key. Marine-grade stainless steel is the perfect outdoor surface. It has amazing resistance to atmospheric corrosion. 

‘Alfresco Compact Laminate’ by Laminex is a resilient and elegant surface perfect for outdoor kitchens and includes woodgrains and solid styles. We especially love the Bespeckled Grey perfect for outdoor kitchen benchtops.

Image source: Nikole Ramsay

 

Let there be light

While there’s plenty of natural light during the day, you still need to think about lighting when the sun sets. Avoid cluttering the cooking area with lighting that will create shadows. Spot lighting is a great option, and will allow for a much more pleasurable cooking experience.

Image source: U-Install-It Kitchens

 

Choosing your barbeque and rangehood

Where to begin. Here is our list of top 4 barbeques.  

Ilve Built in 4 burner BBQ with marine grade stainless steel (ILBBQ124H) 

Zeigler & Brown Turbo Classic 6 burner built in (Grey colour)

Beefeater BSL156SA Signature Proline™ 6 Burner Built-In Natural Gas BBQ

Beefeater BSH156SA Signature Proline™ 6 Burner Built-In  

Don’t forget the rangehood, which is arguably just as important as the barbecue itself. Barbeques create much more smoke than any indoor cooktop, so you need to select a powerful rangehood. Even if you have a kitchen with open sides we recommend installing a rangehood. If your kitchen is completely in the open air, you should be able to get away without. 

For more information about our outdoor kitchen design services or to book a design consultation, call 1300 450 320.

If you’re looking for further alfresco entertaining inspiration and ideas, signup to our newsletter or connect with us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest design trends. 

Image source: Harrison's Landscaping