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Family having dinner and salad outdoors

Luxe outdoor entertainment area ideas to spruce up your next barbeque

A barbeque is the quintessential summer pastime in Australia. We all love firing up the barbeque and sizzling up some steaks, sausages, potato chips and chargrilled vegetables while friends and family members socialise together in the Great Outdoors.

If you love a traditional Aussie barbeque from winter to spring, then you need an equipped outdoor entertaining area to take your hosting skills to the next level.

Need some outdoor entertainment area ideas? In this article, we share design tips to turn a basic alfresco space into a modern outdoor entertaining area. Read on for some contemporary outdoor styling ideas!

Alfresco furniture ideas

Focus on weather resistance

To keep your outdoor entertainment area looking fresher for longer, we recommend investing in some weather-resistant outdoor furniture.

While searching for alfresco furniture ideas, be sure to look for wicker, timber, concrete and aluminium — some of the longest-lasting and most weather-resistant furniture materials on the market. If you choose timber furniture, make sure it’s treated with polyurethane, varnish or lacquer to protect it from the weather.

Take the outdoor furniture featured in our Cayman 287 display home, for example — a great example of a modern house for entertaining. On the alfresco area of our Cayman 287, we have incorporated a treated natural timber and aluminium table, where you can serve up meals and drinks for friends and family to enjoy.

With an outdoor setting like this, you’ll be sure to be the host with the most!

Bring the indoors outdoors

For a little extra cosiness on those cold winter nights, we recommend opting for some cushioned outdoor furniture made with weather-resistant fabric. Matched with piles of pillows and some warm blankets, you can spend hours on end chatting with friends and enjoying the scenery in your garden.

Alfresco lighting

Pendant lights

Every party needs a little illumination. Some of the most stunning lights for outdoor entertaining are most definitely pendant lights. Hanging above the dining table and encased in clear glass, these atmospheric lights add illumination to your modern alfresco design.

Go Solar

When you’re creating your outdoor entertainment area design, solar lighting is a must — these lights are soft, self-sufficient and don’t often need their light bulbs changed. They’re ideal for outdoor entertaining, no matter how often dinner parties and barbeques come along.

Plus, the savings speak for themselves — the sun will power your lights for you, so you can rest assured knowing that you’re not spending money every minute you’re entertaining in your alfresco area.

Wall lights

For a subtle, unobtrusive outdoor lighting option, consider adding wall lights to the exterior of your home. With light spilling out the top, you’ll have ample lighting for late-night chats, snacks and drinks, without catching the attention of your neighbours.

Alfresco decor ideas

Plant-life

An easy way to elevate your outdoor entertainment area is with a luxe alfresco garden design. Think off-white rockery and hardy vegetation for a chic low-maintenance alfresco garden design. This will provide the perfect all-natural backdrop for your next barbeque or dinner party. 

For the dining table, consider planting succulents in cute pots and line them down the centre of the table. Under the patio cover, these durable and long-lasting plants will have both ample lighting and protection to grow.

Alternatively, get a little creative with your outdoor area design: purchase an outdoor dining table with a glass top and install a long, shallow pot under the glass. Plant lots of tiny succulents and let them grow wild to fill up the pot. See the example below for inspiration.

Your guests will love your creative outdoor entertaining ideas! Plus, perching a glass of wine or cider over a miniature jungle will make a memorable barbeque experience.

Explore our homes in person or online to get some display home garden ideas! We have hundreds of great house plans for entertaining.

A fire pit

If you’re looking for outdoor alfresco ideas to create a relaxed atmosphere, you can’t go wrong with a fire pit! The flickering flames will illuminate your alfresco area and instantly add a natural “calm” to the space. Plus, while the rest of the group is snacking and sipping drinks at the outdoor dining table, you can sit back and relax next to the fire knowing you’ve done a job well done at the grill.

Outdoor cooking

Covered outdoor entertaining area with fans

On warm summer days, all you want to do is spend some time in the sunshine — so get the crew around for a delicious feast on the patio with a fully equipped outdoor kitchen or barbeque!

Incorporating an outdoor furniture setting, weather-resistant couches, and a classic Aussie BBQ will complete your alfresco and entertaining area. Protected by a timber privacy screen, you can spend hours cooking up a chargrilled feast in the shade, while your guests gather around to keep you company. 

With a full outdoor kitchen,  you will also have the option to cook roast dinners, pizzas, and so much more – the entertaining options are endless.

Our favourite outdoor entertaining area designs

Need some alfresco design ideas to add some much-needed style to your outdoor entertaining area? We’ve collected some of our favourite alfresco designs so you can get inspired and “wow” your guests with a modern BBQ area.

By building with Montgomery Homes, you’ll be one step ahead with your outdoor entertainment area ideas

Love the idea of entertaining outdoors? Building an alfresco area is easy with Montgomery Homes! All of our home designs have the option of including a luxe alfresco entertaining area. Complete it with tiling, lighting, privacy screens and a patio cover and you’ll have the perfect space for socialising with friends.

All that’s needed is some weather-resistant furniture, a chic garden design and an outdoor kitchen!

During the planning process for your new home, our home building and design specialists will help you choose the tiling and finishes for your outdoor entertainment area. You’ll get some stylish outdoor entertainment area ideas in our Gallery One Selections Centre and our specialists will help make your outdoor entertaining dreams a reality.

For more inspiration on alfresco area designs, check out our inspiration gallery!

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Aussies love a classic barbeque - getting out in the sunshine, sizzling up some steaks, and socialising with friends in the Great Outdoors. What’s not to love? To take your next dinner party or barbeque to the next level, be sure to check out our luxe outdoor entertaining area ideas, from wicker furniture to garden designs!
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