Enjoying the weekend is something we all deserve. After all, you work hard all week, day in and day out. That’s why spending time with your friends, family and loved ones over the weekend is all the more special. Sharing food, drink and laughter – that’s what life is all about. Because at the end of the day, you won’t remember all the work you did, but you will remember the good times you shared with your closest companions. 

And one excellent way to enjoy your weekend is to fire up the BBQ hotplate, fry some food, and sit down to share it with your nearest and dearest. But what if your backyard space isn’t quite up to scratch? Well, fear not because, in this helpful article, we’ll share six top tips for creating a versatile backyard bbq space.

Tip 1 – Upgrade Your Grill

If your BBQ is old or too small to cook for the number of guests you plan on having over regularly, it is probably time to upgrade your grill to a brand new model. A bigger BBQ is always better, anyway. 

There are a few options on the market, from traditional gas-fired BBQs to electric and infrared. Each has pros and cons, including price variations and differences in using them. A gas model is your best bet if you just plan to fry up a simple feed. However, if you want to smoke meat or try other fancy techniques, you may need to broaden your horizons and your choice of BBQ.

Tip 2 – Heating and Shade

Our next tip is about keeping your guests comfortable. Without a heating source, you’ll find that people will be reluctant to come over during the winter months. And who could blame them? Without a source of warmth, most people would prefer to stay indoors where it is toasty and cozy. You can get outdoor gas heating for a relatively affordable price. Depending on the size of your yard, you may even need two or more gas heaters.

On the other side of the equation, a BBQ event during the peak of summertime could be uncomfortable for your guests without an adequate shade source. So, if you plan on hosting a lunch event, you should definitely invest in a solution for this. You have two options – a large sun umbrella or a shade cloth. The umbrella is the cheaper option but will provide less shade than a cloth. However, installing a shade cloth will cost more than an umbrella. Weigh up your options, assess your space, and make the best decision for your yard. 

Tip 3 – Comfortable Seats and a Table

Your guests will need somewhere to sit, chat, eat and enjoy themselves at your event. This means that you need to provide some chairs. In addition to the chairs, you’ll also need a table to place the food and drinks on. You can find a great table and chair set at your local hardware store. Also, have a look online – you may find that you can discover a hidden bargain via online marketplaces such as Gumtree and Facebook.

Tip 4 – Set the Mood, With Lighting

Another excellent tip for a versatile outdoor BBQ space is to install some ambient lighting. This will set a lovely mood as the sun sets and is fantastic if you plan to host events during the evening.

You can string some festoon or fairy lights around your yard, between tree limbs, along your fence, or anywhere else you can fit. These will twinkle and glow and dazzle your guests as they eat and drink. 

Solar lighting is a great idea, as it costs nothing to run aside from the initial purchase expense. However, solar lights won’t shine as bright during winter as there is less sunlight to charge them.

Tip 5 – Music, Please, DJ

Another way to add a dash of ambience to your yard is to have some music playing at your event. If your budget allows, you could install some outdoor speakers that link to your home hi-fi system. If this is unaffordable, you can pick up a Bluetooth speaker for under a hundred bucks and use it to play music during your event. You can even get guests to put in playlist requests before the event, so everyone hears a favourite tune or two. Try to keep the volume low enough so people can hear each other speak, although as the night goes on, you may want to turn it up and bust a move. 

A Chargrilled Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve been able to draw some inspiration from these five tips. Follow these, and you’ll be well on your way to having a versatile backyard BBQ space that will impress your guests and have them (and you) longing for the next cookout.