Barbecue, grill, barbecue favorably distinguish life in the country or in your own home from living in a city apartment. Meat, fish or vegetables cooked over coals or an open fire, without adding oil, seem much tastier. And even though nutritionists talk about the dangers of carcinogens in the crust, which is formed from the heat of a natural fire, the aroma of such food outweighs such arguments. But, like any fireplace, a barbecue has its own characteristics of use.
What types of barbecue areas are there?
Let's look at the most popular types of barbecue areas, which are quite different from each other, primarily in terms of the type of design:
1. Closed - looks like a separate small building with a roof; The advantage of this option is the possibility of preparing fried dishes at any time of the year, not excluding the cold season, when it is raining, snowing or hailing outside, a closed grill area allows you not only to shelter from bad weather, but also to warm up near the fireplace.
Closed barbecue area made of round timber in the form of a gazebo with a grill inside
2. Open - can be located on any area without a roof, but, as a rule, it finds its place somewhere near the house or on a specially equipped recreation area; More often than not, the brazier itself looks like a metal fence, a forged barbecue, or a simple oven, so it’s cheapest to equip an open barbecue area.
Open round grill area with a stone brazier in a summer cottage
3. Semi-closed - a combined type of barbecue with a canopy, which you can make with your own hands or purchase in a store; the area may not have a roof, but be fenced with pillars or fabric (film) sheets, which serve a mostly decorative function.
The semi-closed grill area always looks amazing
An enclosed barbecue area is most often located in a gazebo, on a veranda or terrace. If this is a separate gazebo, then the fireplace can easily be located in the recreation area, combined with a children's playroom, swing benches, a swimming pool, a summer kitchen or a bathhouse. If the barbecue is based on the terrace, then it has the form of a portable or collapsible structure, which is dismantled for the winter; Light wicker rattan furniture or plastic sun loungers with umbrellas to block the sun are suitable here. A warm veranda is a completely different matter, since it is part of a winter house; a large stove with a fireplace, which acts as a brazier, is most often installed on it; such a place is decorated with massive furniture in the Alpine or excellent classical style, which never goes out of style.
Patio with hanging Chinese lanterns
Chinese lanterns are a pretty good option for creating a beautiful recreation area that can create a special atmosphere. Lanterns are placed mainly above the dining area; color and size are not particularly important.
The shapes and colors of Chinese lanterns are different, but to create the most complete penetration into the Chinese ethnic group, it would be appropriate to purchase red ones using gilding. This coloring is classic for Chinese surroundings.
Instructions: how to choose the right area for a grill or barbecue
If the grill or barbecue area is not located in a part of the building, but somewhere on the street, then you need to carefully select a suitable place for it, which should be:
a) Fireproof.
It is better to install the barbecue as far as possible from flammable objects: a residential building or outbuildings made of, for example, wood or lumber.
b) Protected from the weather.
A light wind will not prevent the fire from burning well, but a strong gusty wind can extinguish the flame. Therefore, it is better to place the barbecue area at the dacha under a special canopy with a fence or simply find a place on the site that is protected from whirlwinds.
c) Convenient .
The barbecue area at the dacha should, on the one hand, be located far enough from household facilities, and on the other hand, close to the water supply, so that you can wash your hands at any time, and in an emergency, quickly put out the fire.
d) Scenic.
If the barbecue is located in the summer kitchen or dining area, then the place for these objects should be selected in advance in such a way that you would like to spend a lot of time there, enjoying the most beautiful landscape that you can see from the garden plot.
A beautiful barbecue area in a picturesque place is mesmerizing
Feeders
Feeders for birds and animals can be an excellent option for decorating your garden plot. The feeder can be made from wood, an unnecessary bucket or a plastic bottle. Pour seeds or nuts there, attach a rope and secure it to a tree or balcony.
Barbecue area in the country: features of projects with photos, drawings and dimensions
Open and semi-closed
Open and semi-closed barbecue areas should be located on the ground with or without supports in the most convenient place of the summer cottage, which, as noted above, would correspond to fire safety, protection from the wind, proximity to water supply and, what is not so important, but adds aesthetics and beauty natural landscape.
Diagram with dimensions for building a brazier on a semi-closed grill area
Brick barbecue project for DIY assembly in an open area
Closed
Closed types of barbecue areas require a more professional approach, since their construction will require a significant amount of time and much more finance: you need to lay a foundation and install a supporting structure, and then put up walls, build a roof, etc. Such barbecue areas can take different forms. The site, as a rule, is selected based on the size of the brazier and the available free land on the summer cottage (usually about 10 acres): the fireplace can be either small (about 3 sq. m.) or huge (more than 50 sq. m.), especially if the project combines it with a kitchen, dining room or other rooms.
Project of a small barbecue area in a gazebo
Winter garden gazebo with barbecue area is equipped with panoramic windows
Semi-closed barbecue area with timber supports and a canopy, made by yourself
Outdoor barbecue area made of wood: a budget option
Selecting a base
In an open area, there is a high probability of its constant contamination; a plan for arranging the area should be thought out in advance.
Fertile soil removed from the site can be used in the garden or on beds, and wooden pallets can be placed on top of the removed layer or the remains of laminate or linoleum can be used.
Is a foundation always needed?
A brazier can be either a regular oven or a specialized grill. Both types can weigh much more than a hundred kg. Of course, such a mass requires a well-created foundation so that over time the structure does not fall underground, become deformed, or even break completely. It is best to create a separate foundation: a monolithic concrete slab for the hearth, and a lightweight one, such as a columnar one, for the walls. This, firstly, is more budget-friendly, since filling the entire surface will be much more expensive, and secondly, it is completely impractical, because the load will be uneven; the main thing is that the brazier itself is located under a securely made foundation, which should protrude 5-10 cm beyond the perimeter of the oven.
The barbecue area on a high foundation made of natural stone guarantees the stability and durability of the brazier
Children's Corner
The main principle of arranging a children's area is safety. Playgrounds should be located away from dust and noise, roadways, thorny and poisonous plants. The children's area should be located in a place accessible to parents and other adults.
All structures must be firmly fixed. The materials used must not be toxic. To protect from the sun's rays, you can place a canopy or umbrella.
In the play area you can make a sandbox, install a swing or a slide. You can also place a small house or tent on the playground, put a box of toys, a chalk board and much more.
Such a corner will become the children’s favorite place on the site.
What is the difference between barbecues and barbecues: classification of types
A barbecue is a Middle Eastern type of device for cooking over coals; a barbecue is most likely of African origin (Haiti), but has found its widespread use in America.
The grill has a simpler design and cooking method: a box made of fire-resistant material is filled with hot coals, on which meat, fish, poultry, mushrooms or vegetables are subsequently fried, put on skewers or placed on a grate (inside it). A barbecue is, one might say, a grill.
A wrought-iron gazebo in the country with a barbecue is a convenient option for a small area
Barbecues have a different configuration: inside the (usually round) box there is a pair of grates (the lower one for coals and the upper one for food), thanks to this design, the dishes are richly saturated with smoke, acquiring a special aroma.
Semi-closed area made of untreated wood with barbecue
Braziers and their types:
1. Stationary - constructed from durable materials and must be installed on a good foundation; such a grill can look like an oven.
Stationary brick grill similar to a Russian stove
2. Mobile - portable roasters with light weight, which most often have a collapsible base.
Mobile outdoor grill of non-standard type
3. Collapsible - the cheapest barbecues with very low weight, made of metal elements that are easily attached to each other, becoming a small box on legs as a result of assembly; usually used once or a couple of times.
A collapsible type of barbecue for reusable use, which is attached to the railing
Barbecues and their types:
2. Stationary - they are a large brazier made of brick or stone; often combined with a stove or cooking platform.
The stationary outdoor barbecue has a monumental appearance, as it is made of stone
2. Cauldron-shaped - equipped with a vaulted, streamlined lid, which allows you to bake well not only small pieces of meat, but also whole poultry (for example, turkey, as Americans like to do on Thanksgiving Day).
The pot-shaped barbecue is ideal for the garden area
3. Mobile - they cannot be disassembled, but they move perfectly thanks to the wheels; usually equipped in the lower part (under the brazier) with a cabinet or tray where provisions, coals, lighter fluid and kitchen utensils can be placed.
Mobile barbecues move perfectly around the dacha area
4. Folding - portable barbecues of small format and light weight; Designed for outdoor picnics.
Portable types of barbecues can be taken with you outdoors in any weather
Advice! To create something similar to a barbecue out of a barbecue, you don’t have to buy a new design; you can simply purchase a double grate with clips, which will give the meat, fish or vegetables the desired “smoky” effect.
Decorating your patio with popular color combinations
This season offers several popular color combinations that will look good in small areas. Using them, you can independently design a recreation area with your own hands, saving significantly on hiring a specialist.
In relation to the patio, you can use the following color palette:
- bright, flashy colors - yellow, turquoise, etc.
- white background, using yellow and orange shades
- pastel color, including light green, beige or blue
How to cover a barbecue or barbecue area in the open air?
For barbecue areas in the country, you need not only to create a reliable foundation, but also to choose a good covering material both for comfortable walking around the site and for the aesthetic component, so that everything looks even more comfortable and modern. The facing covering can be stone, clinker, tile, etc.
The most popular types of coverings for a recreation area with a barbecue or barbecue in the country are:
- tiled (like paving slabs);
- wooden (garden parquet, decking or decking);
Tile covering for streets
Street tiles or, as they are often called, paving slabs have a wide variety of shapes and color nuances, so they can be used for a large or small garden plot with any design. The material has high wear resistance, does not melt in the heat, does not crack from frost and does not allow water to pass through, while it dries quickly and almost does not change its appearance over time, and, what is extremely important, is in the budget segment.
Paving slabs in the barbecue area - a universal option for covering the area
Brief step-by-step instructions on how to lay paving slabs yourself:
- Preparatory: remove the turf layer, remove debris, protruding branches and large stones from the area, install pegs around the perimeter of the area and pull a rope or elastic band over them.
- Leveling: level and thoroughly compact the soil, create drainage (you can use crushed stone with sand or sand-cement mortar).
- Facing: start laying tiles along a stretched rope or elastic band, starting from the farthest row (protruding edges need to be trimmed in advance, but it is better to calculate everything in such a way as not to use a tile cutter at all), adjust the finished sheet to the level.
- Final: fill the seams with sand-cement mortar and fill them with water, after drying, rub with quartz sand.
Wooden covering
Various decking boards, special garden parquet or decking are also often used to improve recreation areas with barbecues, especially if it is located on a veranda, terrace or on an area prepared for this. Wooden surfaces for streets only at first glance seem short-lived. In fact, they tolerate frost and rain well.
Decking is made using a technology where moisture is completely removed from the wood and replaced with a protective impregnation, which gives the boards strong resistance to changing climatic conditions. It is also not at all afraid of any kind of mold and mildew, is easy to install and has good design qualities.
Decking on a barbecue area combined with a place to relax
Terrace boards have somewhat similar properties to decking, but are not of the tiled type and are more similar to parquet modules. Installation occurs in this way: logs are installed on a leveled surface, on top of which the boards themselves are screwed onto self-tapping screws, which are subsequently secured to each other using a joint-groove system.
Decking board on the patio with a roasting pan for cooking in the summer
Garden parquet is also ideal for a barbecue area in a country house, as it does not dry out due to drought and does not swell after rainfall. The boards are laid on a flat surface: either on compacted soil, or on one consisting of gravel, crushed stone, or even on poured concrete. Parquet modules are connected to each other using the locking method.
Garden parquet is well suited for a barbecue or barbecue area in the country
Patio decor with different curtains
The pergola can be used as a base for placing curtains and curtains. In this case, you need to take into account the general color background so as not to get a mishmash of different shades and patterns.
The simplest solution to this problem is to use two rich and bright colors.
How to build a support structure and canopy?
Supports
The supporting structure is important not only for solid buildings, but also for aesthetics. With the help of a beautifully equipped barbecue area, you can give the site an attractive look, especially when there is no dynamic country house on it. Supports are usually constructed from stone, clinker and brick, if the site will be of a long-term nature; untreated wood and low-quality metal materials are considered simpler and more cost-effective options. One of the most beautiful supports with a canopy is a pergola.
The metal support structure together with the canopy looks more comfortable
Canopy
Sheds for the barbecue area vary in degree of rigidity: they can be soft (any flexible materials), applied to the frame by melting, and hard (such as slate, tiles, metal profiles, copper sheets, etc.), which are usually laid on a truss.
DIY hard canopy over the brazier
There are three types of soft coverings for creating a canopy:
- Bitumen.
- Polymer-bitumen.
- Polymer.
The latter are considered the most inexpensive, especially if you take a material such as polycarbonate. If you need something simpler and more budget-friendly, then you should use tarpaulin coverings or similar water-repellent fabrics.
Hanging flower pots as a way to decorate
Decorating your patio walls with potted flowers can create a unique look. Alternatively, the pots can be painted in different colors. When combined with flowers that do not require special care, they will create a rather attractive look.
Zoning a large barbecue area with your own hands
If there is a lot of space for a barbecue, then you need to follow certain zoning rules in order to correctly distribute the spacious area into several convenient areas. In the classic version there will be two of them:
- A roasting pan with a work area for cooking.
- A place for dining and comfortable relaxation.
Zoning of the area for the lounge and the hearth itself is most often done with the help of furniture. It is appropriate to place a large table with chairs on one side, and behind it a sofa with armchairs, in order to visually separate one functional area from another. You can go another way: construct a high or low decorative partition from scrap materials: wooden beams, dry branches, climbing plants, etc.
Zoning the area for the lounge and the hearth itself using furniture
Hammock, swing or rocking chair
We're almost done with the aesthetic component. Now you need to take care of comfort.
To be able to relax as much as possible after a week in a stuffy metropolis or after a working day in the garden, hang a hammock in the area and install a swing or rocking chair.
Lying under the crowns of garden trees, feeling the subtle breeze of the breeze on your cheeks and inhaling the sweet aroma of apples and pears, it will be very easy and pleasant to succumb to sweet bliss.
Hardware stores offer many options for garden swings, hammocks and chairs. Buy the copy you like and place it on the site in accordance with safety requirements. If your budget is limited, build a hammock or rocking chair with your own hands, it’s not that difficult.
Furniture for open and closed barbecue areas
Open barbecue area
If the site is located directly in the open air and is not protected even by a small canopy, then it is definitely worth choosing outdoor (country) furniture, which is characterized by high wear resistance: it does not fade in the sun, practically does not absorb moisture and dries quickly (this is wicker furniture made from natural rattan or made of cheaper materials - polymers), even better if it does not need to be removed for the winter (such types include wooden and forged sets).
Forged furniture for the open barbecue area is durable and beautiful
Closed barbecue area
For barbecue areas located on a closed veranda, universal furniture sets are suitable, suitable for all interior spaces. But if you want to make the place special, then it is better to choose massive wooden exhibits in the classic, chalet, Provence, country or Scandinavian style. A cozy place near the fire always attracts attention.
Using ethnic elements in the patio
The use of illogical decorative elements is one of the unusual ways of design solutions.
In relation to the patio, Arabic lamps, various flower pots of unusual shapes, and small pillows with a colorful, national pattern will look decent.
What kind of lighting should surround the roaster?
Lighting for the grill and barbecue area should be carefully selected, since most often people cook over a fire in the evening or, moreover, at night, when there is no sunlight at all. It is better to choose several types of lamps with unequal power or one backlight with different intensities so that you can adjust the illumination. Garden lanterns, fixed to the site or somewhere on supports, and street sconces, and LED strips, and other types of lamps suitable for open areas are also used.
Advice! The ideal option would be to install several additional samples of street lamps powered by a solar battery: economical, safe and does not require laying wires.
Lighting the barbecue area with LED street lamps
Illumination of a semi-closed barbecue area with street lamps
Recommendations for design
Landscape design experts give the following tips on how to arrange a recreation area:
If you want the atmosphere to be as harmonious and relaxing as possible, stop at using curvilinear shapes in the design. It has been noticed that they significantly soften the stylistic direction of the site arrangement.
Don't be afraid to get creative. This applies to everything - flower beds, ponds, decorative elements.
Don't forget about accents. Leave an area of open ground in the garden path or patio cover for planting low-growing ornamental crops.
Give preference to low-maintenance types of vegetation.
Select various functional areas on the patio - for private conversations, for quiet observation of nature, for large-scale reception of friends.
Be sure to think about how to protect your relaxation area from bright sun rays and winds.
Are you a fan of shashlik and barbecue? Install a barbecue in the green living room - and you will become the owner of a charming summer kitchen.
If you have a small family, you can easily get by with a compact recreation area. However, if you plan to frequently receive guests in the future, it is advisable to provide additional space. Determining its size is as easy as shelling pears.
It is enough to place the required number of tables and chairs - and you will clearly see how many square meters you will need to build a patio or gazebo.
To summarize, we note that the recreation area is an integral element of good zoning of the site. How well you will rest will depend on how well it is equipped. Its design is a task that anyone can do. The main thing is to have desire and developed imagination.
Hedge
The fence surrounding the site should also not be ignored. To make the fence more aesthetically pleasing, plant climbing plants next to it. Chinese lemongrass, ivy, clematis, climbing roses, honeysuckle, and grapes are perfect.
Another option for decorating a fence is painting it. Buy paints, pick up brushes, involve your children in the process and let your imagination run wild!
