9 Covered Outside BBQ Area Ideas

Summertime is just around the corner. And what better time is there than now to invest in some backyard renovations?

You can simply put a grill in your backyard, maybe add some foldable chairs and a table, and call it a day. But why stop there when you can turn your yard space into something much more functional like a covered outside BBQ area?

You don’t have to have a large backyard to set up a BBQ area. Even small spaces can be made into a beautiful leisure area for everyone to enjoy.

The amount you’ll be spending on an outside BBQ area renovation depends on what you plan to do with your available space. It might be good to have a design plan and to secure your budget even before starting with the project.

Small Covered BBQ Area Ideas

The beautiful thing about an outside BBQ area is that it can work even in small spaces, as long as you have enough space for the grill. Here are some small covered BBQ area ideas that increase your yard appeal and don’t require a lot of space.

BBQ Shed

A BBQ shed is a great place to start. It could be only a couple of feet wide, depending on the size of your grill. Just make sure that the shed still gives proper ventilation for your grill to avoid fire and other related accidents.

You might also want to allow for space for some side tables. These will help you have enough preparation area for when you start grilling. You can also have some shelves or cabinets built into them to have a storage area for all your grilling accessories

You can opt for an open shed and leave it at that. But you can also have a door that can be propped up to serve as extra shade when the BBQ area is in use. You might also be able to squeeze in some foldable tables and chairs under it.

Hidden BBQ Area

Another idea for small spaces is a hidden BBQ area. This can be built adjacent to your house’s exterior walls.

Like the shed, a hidden BBQ area could also use a tilt-up door for more functionality. When the BBQ area is in use, it could serve as a roof extension. When not in use, it closes off the BBQ area and protects the grill from weather conditions and other outside factors that could affect it.

You can use this idea with any type of grill—built-in, freestanding, griddle, or tabletop. Have enough side space to prepare your ingredients on. Cabinets and drawers also let you keep all your grilling gear and accessories in the same place. This makes it more convenient and accessible for you.

BBQ Tent

If you have limited space and budget, you can go with the simplest option—a BBQ tent. This can be set up and restored easily. Just prop up a camping tent, large cloth, or beach umbrella. Add some foldable tables for meal preparation and dining. Set up your grill and accessories. And you’re done!

A covered outside BBQ area doesn’t always have to be luxurious and expensive. A simple backyard setup can also give you a complete outdoor grilling experience.

Since nothing about a BBQ tent setup is fixed, you can also change things up as you wish. You can use the space for other purposes like a playground or leisure area. A BBQ tent doesn’t decrease your open area but improves it, especially during the summer.

Medium Covered BBQ Area Ideas

Medium areas are those that can accommodate more than just a basic grill setup. They could also refer to independent units or rooms that can be built in your yard. Here are some outdoor covered BBQ area ideas for when you have a little more space and budget.

BBQ Shack

One of the most fun backyard covered BBQ area ideas you could go for is a shack or hut. You can have it built on a small tiled or concrete area. It could elevate your BBQ area and bring more focus to it.

A BBQ shack setup can also double as a bar. Enjoy your barbecue with some alcohol on the side. Have some countertops that also double as a bar counter so that all the action happens in one place. Place some stools around the shack so that you can easily chat with and serve food to your visitors while cooking more food.

Your shack doesn’t have to be too big. As long as there’s enough space for your grill and bar counters, you’re good to go.

Grill Gazebo

If you have a larger space, you might want to try setting up a grill gazebo. Have a stone pathway that leads from your house to the gazebo. This not only sets the mood for your guests but also makes it accessible to everyone.

A grill gazebo setup doesn’t need a lot of features and amenities. It could be as simple as having a grill, countertops, and a seating area for your guests. You can also add in a bar setup for your grill gazebo to make it more entertaining.

BBQ Patio

If yard space is important to you, you can also set up a BBQ patio as an extension of your house. It’s an open outdoor room that still gives you easy access to your house.

A BBQ patio could have a mini outdoor kitchen with a grill and sink in it. You could also put a coffee table and some lounge chairs to make the space more comfortable. Adding a television or stereo setup could also improve the space.

Just remember to have proper ventilation and keep the grill at a safe distance from your home to avoid fire-related accidents.

Large Covered BBQ Area Ideas

A large area allows you to still have enough yard space left even if you build a whole standard-sized room in it. You can go all out with your BBQ area setup without having to worry about how to make everything fit. Here are some ideas you can use when space and money are not an issue.

Outdoor Kitchen

There are a lot of covered outdoor kitchen ideas you can use for a BBQ area setup. It could be as simple as a built-in grill and a sink. But for larger areas, you can even add in a brick oven, stovetop, and fridge.

A large area also allows you to put more countertops and cabinets for storing your outdoor kitchen accessories.

Having a covered outdoor kitchen could make cooking more relaxing since you’ll be able to see nature and feel the breeze while preparing your food. Is there anything that could top that?

BBQ Deck

A BBQ deck is another great option for a covered outside BBQ area. With this setup, you could either go minimalist or all-out.

A grill, kitchen island, and stools built on a wooden deck could be enough. If you want a more breathable space, just put these things on one side of the deck so that you can do as you wish with the remaining space.

If a comfortable grilling area is what you’re after, allow for enough space between the grill and the kitchen island. You could also completely ditch the kitchen island and replace it with a deck table instead. Add cushioned lounge chairs to make the space cozier and more inviting.

Poolside BBQ

If you have a pool at home, why not set up a BBQ area beside it? A poolside BBQ makes both outdoor experiences—grilling and swimming—more luxurious.

Have an outdoor kitchen set up with all the things you might need. You can also use a pergola as a covering for your BBQ area. If you want to take things up a notch, you can build a whole cabin in your backyard.

Add a beach umbrella, coffee table, and some outdoor chairs and stools for a complete and elegant outdoor experience.

Making the Most Out of Your Backyard

You can leave your backyard as it is and maybe do some landscaping instead. Having an outside BBQ area is only one of the many things you can do with your yard space. But still, any space in your home that you can make livable increases your property value by a lot.

A covered BBQ area lets you use the space all year round. It can even serve purposes other than grilling to let you truly maximize your backyard.

Again, here are some covered BBQ area ideas you can use for your backyard this summer:

• Small areas: BBQ shed, hidden BBQ area, BBQ tent
• Medium areas: BBQ shack, grill gazebo, BBQ patio
• Large areas: Outdoor kitchen, BBQ deck, poolside BBQ