Designing Your Backyard for BBQs

Summer is the season of spending long days and nights out in the backyard and making home-cooked meals on the barbecue. Whether classic BBQ dishes like ribs and hamburgers or skewered grilled vegetables are more your style, these tips will help get your backyard in prime shape for grilling season.

 

Designing Your Backyard for BBQs

Some homeowners may choose to make their barbecue the focal point of their backyard, while others view it as something to accentuate more central features like a deck, patio, or outdoor kitchen. The grill alone will take up significant space, not to mention the crowd it can attract. With that in mind, avoid situating it in areas of high foot traffic, such as near the stairs of your deck or along a main walking path. You should also provide ample room between the barbecue and your backyard seating.

 

A simple charcoal grill is ideal for small spaces. It also allows you to be flexible with your barbecue setup. If you are hosting a gathering, you can simply move the grill if need be and rearrange your backyard to accommodate the occasion. Built-in barbecues provide a more robust grilling setup, while freeing up space on the deck or patio. Though built-ins are typically more expensive than a standalone grill, they are a hub for outdoor entertainment. For homeowners who enjoy grilling in the shade, or those who live in climates where it sometimes rains in the summer, covered barbecues may be the way to go. Pergolas, canopies, and awnings are all popular options for providing cover. Outdoor kitchens are the most comprehensive grilling setup. With countertop space, a sink, and the barbecue all within reach, all the prep work for your cookout can be done outside, right next to the grill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you’ve chosen the best barbecue for your backyard, it’s time to start designing around it. The right combination of seating will add the social touch to your barbecuing setup. Bench seating is a popular option for barbecuing on the deck, while tables and chairs out in the backyard lawn create more of a picnic-style feel. Installing a fire pit will bring an added element to you outdoor entertaining, helping to make the transition from an afternoon or evening barbecue into a night spent under the stars. Experiment with different fire pit styles to match the surrounding elements of your backyard. For those with built-in barbecues and outdoor kitchens, consider matching your fire pit’s stonework to tie the backyard together.

Image Source: Getty Images

 

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Lake View Oasis!

Incredibly rare opportunity to own a stunning home with unparalleled views of the lake and the Colorado Foothills. A grand layout welcomes you at 6351 Cottonwood Shores Dr Wellington, CO. The scenic views from the kitchen, living room & tranquil master suite are breathtaking. A large balcony extends the entertainment space outdoors. A dual hardwood staircase leads to the spacious walkout basement which boasts an exercise room, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a wine cellar & full wet bar. Enjoy the resort-like backyard with outdoor kitchen, in-ground saltwater pool, hot tub, gazebo, lanai, putting green & sand volleyball court. This beautiful home includes a lower-level casita with full kitchen, bath and separate entrance. For multi-generational living or use as a caretaker’s area another full living area is built above the attached garage. A separate 2400 sq ft detached garage/outbuilding, creates a place to showcase your collection.4+acre lot is fully fenced and the property is gated. Contact Maria Dellota at (970) 215-1013 for your private showing for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/126318169

The post Lake View Oasis! appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Lake View Oasis!

Incredibly rare opportunity to own a stunning home with unparalleled views of the lake and the Colorado Foothills. A grand layout welcomes you at 6351 Cottonwood Shores Dr Wellington, CO. The scenic views from the kitchen, living room & tranquil master suite are breathtaking. A large balcony extends the entertainment space outdoors. A dual hardwood staircase leads to the spacious walkout basement which boasts an exercise room, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a wine cellar & full wet bar. Enjoy the resort-like backyard with outdoor kitchen, in-ground saltwater pool, hot tub, gazebo, lanai, putting green & sand volleyball court. This beautiful home includes a lower-level casita with full kitchen, bath and separate entrance. For multi-generational living or use as a caretaker’s area another full living area is built above the attached garage. A separate 2400 sq ft detached garage/outbuilding, creates a place to showcase your collection.4+acre lot is fully fenced and the property is gated. Contact Maria Dellota at (970) 215-1013 for your private showing for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/126318169

The post Lake View Oasis! appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Gorgeous Two Story Home in Windsor!

This beautiful home, at 1540 Edenbridge Dr in Windsor located in the desirable Windshire subdivision, is a must-see! With three large living spaces, there is room for everyone! The large kitchen features granite countertops, custom painted cabinets, a gas range and all appliances included. Relax in your own theater room including a 120-inch screen and projector! Entertain indoors with a full wet bar, wine fridge, and microwave, or take in some sun on the patio while cooking at the outdoor kitchen. Don’t miss the chance to find your move-in ready dream home! Contact Jacqueline Feil at (970) 402-7509 for your private showing for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/105763544

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At Home in the Outdoors

More than 80 percent of Americans say they want an outdoor living space where they can relax and entertain. And it’s no wonder why. Outdoor spaces extend your livable space, add visual interest, and increase not only your quality of life, but also the overall value of your home. (In some cases, the increase in your home’s value can cover most or all of the cost to create the new space.) Here are some options to consider:

DECK

Decks are still the most popular outdoor living spaces, not only because they work so well for entertaining and relaxing, but also because they have the highest return on investment (see the Tips column for data).

Surprisingly, wood decks (made of cedar or pine) are actually the better financial investment, because building with Trex or other popular composite products costs considerably more, yet doesn’t increase the home’s value by as much.

Expanding and reconfiguring your current deck is another option that’s popular today. The contractor will typically remove the old face boards, extend the underlying structure, and then put down the new decking. This is also an opportunity to add built-in furniture, privacy screens, even plumbing and electricity.

PATIO

Running a close second to decks – in both popularity and investment return – are patios. With a patio, you can relax and entertain at ground level, which can afford more privacy in urban areas, and allows you to be more engaged with the surrounding plants and landscaping.

Typically made of brick, concrete, or stone, a patio also comes with far fewer maintenance and repair issues than a deck. Plus, patios are generally easier and less disruptive to construct – which is why they’re often about 30 percent less expensive to have professionally built.

GAZEBO

For those who want even more privacy, as well as shelter from the sun and protection from mosquitoes and other pests, there’s the gazebo. Available with walls or as an open-air design, with screening or not, these modestly sized, affordable backyard structures can be built from scratch or purchased as a kit (for assembly by a do-it-yourselfer or a professional).

Popular in the Midwest for decades, gazebos have made their way west as homeowners here have discovered how nice and easy they are for creating a shaded spot for reading, relaxing, and backyard gatherings.

OUTDOOR KITCHEN

People tend to gather naturally in the kitchen. And when the kitchen is outdoors, it creates an ideal opportunity to mix, mingle and interact in the open air. Other reasons why cooking outdoors makes so much sense: less kitchen cleanup, the house stays cooler during the summer, and grilled food just tastes better.

Some may think an outdoor kitchen is only for cooks who host large parties, but homeowners who go this route say they’re more of an extension of the home, and great for daily use.

Designs for outdoor kitchens range from the simple (a grill, limited counter and cabinet space, and maybe a prep sink) to truly independent entities with a refrigerator, an elaborate grill, warming oven, freestanding island with storage space, rolling cart stations, and even a dishwasher. Depending on how elaborate your design, you may be able to list it as a second kitchen when selling your house.

SIX PLANNING SUGGESTIONS

  1. Before meeting with contractors, gather photos of designs and ideas that you like; this will make it much easier to communicate your ideas.
  2. Make sure the materials you plan to use, as well as the overall size of the structure, will be harmonious with your home’s current look and feel.
  3. Give serious consideration to a roof – which will likely add significantly to the cost, but will also provide much-needed shade on hot days and protection from rain and inclement weather. In fact, to ensure things are structurally sound and architecturally appealing, start with the design for the roof first, then set your sights on the roof supports and structure below.
  4. Incorporate lighting into your design, which will extend its usability into the evening and throughout the seasons.
  5. Consider convenience, comfort, and longevity when choosing materials. For example, a floor made of dirt or stepping stones may last forever, but one made of wood or concrete is much easier to clean and arrange furniture upon.

If you’re eager to live a healthier lifestyle and reconnect with family and friends, as most people are today, it’s time to consider an outdoor living space.

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