LICENCE TO CHILL
From BBQs, seating and heating to those all-important finishing touches – how to get any outdoor space ready for alfresco dining
SUMMER will soon be so close you can smell it – the smoky aroma of burgers sizzling on the grill signalling that BBQ season is here.
But how do you take the great British barbecue and make it even greater? By maximising your outdoor space and making every square inch work as hard as you do when you’re hosting an alfresco gathering.
‘Carve out a dedicated zone for entertaining’
Sizzling summer sensations
Naturally it all begins by investing in a quality BBQ that will serve up mouthwatering flavours with minimum fuss.
That’s where the collection of grills from B&Q can fire things up, from own-brand models to Weber, Traeger, Char-Broil and more.
A top pick is the GoodHome Powell gas BBQ, featuring four burners with individual temperature adjustment for precise cooking and that perfectly done steak.
Next, you’ll need somewhere for guests to wine and dine. Think about carving out a dedicated zone for entertaining – close enough to the BBQ for serving but sufficiently set back to avoid smoking everyone out.
Small or awkward space? Don’t sweat it – the compact Elos range (four-seater dining set shown above, £425) in a beautiful wood finish slots into even the snuggest of nooks with ease, while the Vitello range with its sleek rope design will give your outdoor dining space a stylish twist.
Better still, both collections are made from innovative UV-treated and water-repellent materials so they’ll last for many British summers to come.
Terracotta belly pot, £22
Add a touch of the tropics to your patio or terrace with a lush palm and one of a new range of rustic outdoor pots, in rich textures and vibrant colours
The GoodHome Powell black four-burner gas BBQ, £200, takes outdoor cooking to another level
Sundowners after dinner? You’ll need a firepit – one of the hottest garden accessories right now – for staving off the cold and adding an atmospheric glow.
After all, everyone loves to gather around an open fire, and B&Q has a quality range to suit every style.
Throw in a few string, curtain and stake lights – all solar-powered, no less – and you’ve got all the makings of a magical midnight garden.
And why not add an outdoor neon sign – “Let’s party”, perhaps – to make the neighbours green with envy?
Finally, the finishing touches: a few colourful pots (go for different shades and textures) and bright window boxes.
For a spin on the traditional herb garden, make yours a garnish garden with mint, rosemary and thyme for cocktails.
And there you have it – all the ingredients for a winning garden this barbecue season.
A luxury alfresco dining zone is perfect for hosting friends and family
Pier stripe cushion, shrimp, £12
Give your garden furniture an instant refresh with weather-resistant scatter cushions in an array of bright prints and pastel tones
Vitello side table, £40
A sleek rattan side table that doubles up as an ice bucket within arm’s reach? Go on, then. Diameter 400mm x height 490mm
Discover more in store, via the app or at diy.com