Backyard BBQ Pit Landscaping Ideas for the Ultimate Outdoor Living Space

Smells can transport you to a whole new place. The smell of a BBQ cooking is an instant trip to the heart of summer, no matter the time of year. You can instantly imagine your family, friends, and coworkers surrounding a backyard BBQ pit. There's laughter, comfort, and of course, delicious grilled food. One of the benefits of a backyard BBQ pit is that you can bring that sense of belonging, togetherness, and joy to every day.

Now, what really sets apart a BBQ pit design from just having a grill on your back deck is a combination of landscaping and design to really highlight the area. With a little attention to detail, you can transform a backyard BBQ pit from a side attraction to the main showpiece. Here, we'll give you plenty of backyard inspiration and design tips to landscape and plan out your new (or improved) backyard BBQ pit, so let's get started!

Landscaping Ideas For Your Backyard BBQ Pit

To start things off right, let's talk about greenery. First, you want to make sure your greenery choices are far enough away from your grill to keep things fire-safe. After all, you want your next gathering to be a hot topic of conversation metaphorically, not literally. As always, we recommend low-maintenance landscaping for your BBQ pit design. You want to mess around with plant height, of course, for a nice graduated look, but the last thing you want to do is expend too much energy maintaining your new grill space.

Look into shrubs, plants, and other sources of greenery that are low-water-use while still bringing a pop of color and life to your grilling area. Thankfully, Orange County is a great place to grow all kinds of greenery, especially low-water options, so making your BBQ pit really pop is a piece of cake. If you need suggestions on low-maintenance greenery options, reach out to us for a consultation. We'd be happy to help!

Our next source of inspiration is pathways. You want to make sure you have something that is fire-safe and well laid out. Some nice pathway options include stone, pavers, and, of course, gravel. All of these are fire-safe and bring a touch of class to your backyard BBQ pit.

In some cases, you may want to merge your BBQ area with an existing patio or deck. The first thing to check is the fire safety of the area, of course, but then you want to make your BBQ area feel like its own section of the porch. Using furniture, decorations, and other signals to show the BBQ space deserves the spotlight can all make your grilling area feel like more than a standard grill on a plain deck.

Speaking of the spotlight, lighting is our next source of BBQ pit inspiration here. If you have a separate area for your BBQ, pathway lights can bring a touch of elegance to the space, and bring guests right up to the cooking area (if their nose doesn't already bring them in, of course). And what outdoor space is complete without string lights? Looping nice lighting around your BBQ pit ensures your guests can enjoy the atmosphere long into the evening. Be mindful of how the lights interact with the space, and try to go for a warmer tone to simulate the feeling of a comfortable, cozy gathering space in the outdoors.

Best Location For Your Backyard BBQ

Now that we've talked about potential sources of inspiration for your outdoor BBQ pit, let's talk location. They say location is everything, and this applies doubly so to landscaping options. First, if you're looking at a small yard, you want to pick your BBQ pit location well. Cozy corners and snug areas of your porch can all turn a normal grill into an intimate hangout location for any event.

On the other hand, if you have an outdoor pool, you can integrate your grilling area with the poolside for a resort, beach-like aesthetic that really brings home the idea of summer fun. Make sure your grill is outside the splash zone and create a nice barrier between the grill area and the pool out of landscaping or a change in pavement color to really set the space apart. You can even go for a total beach resort theme and invest in small palm trees, hanging lights, and the like. Thanks to the climate here in Orange County, you can go wild with semi-tropical plants, creating the resort space of your dreams.

Another option for BBQ pit backyard locations is merging your BBQ space with a dining and lounge area. Outdoor kitchens are far from complete without a grilling space, and having an area to eat and lounge creates the perfect hangout spot. Imagine being able to dine and chat all in the same space. Not only does this make for a cozy area of your yard, but it also means the person grilling isn't left out of the conversation.

Finally, if you want an easy way to set aside your BBQ pit from the rest of your yard, while increasing the coziness of the space tenfold, look into gazebos, pergolas, and other sources of shade. Not only does this help block harsh sunlight and other weather conditions, but it can also create boundaries in your yard, allowing you to easily segment where your BBQ pit begins and your garden ends, for example. It's all about placement, landscaping, and overall aesthetics, so take some time to choose where to place your BBQ pit for maximum impact.

Practical Tips for Building Your BBQ Pit

As we've said previously, you want to choose the right size and location for your BBQ pit. For a smaller house, working with an existing deck or porch structure can help minimize the space your new BBQ hangout space takes up. For larger yards, you want to merge the BBQ pit with existing landscaping, instead of simply plopping it down in a void of grass and shrubs. Size and location can make all the difference between a misplaced grill in your yard and a hangout spot everyone you know is dying to use.

Now that we've mentioned a lot of the fun stuff about building a backyard BBQ pit and getting inspired by landscaping and lighting, it's time to get down to the more serious parts of making a BBQ pit. First, you need to make sure you are considering all the safety regulations necessary for a BBQ pit. Check local fire guidelines and rules first before committing to your new grill space. You should pay attention to things like distance from your house or other structures, as well as nearby fire-resistant (or flammable) objects and materials. Finally, you should always have some form of fire extinguisher nearby your grilling space.

Another thing to check on is local regulations and HOAs for your area. These are somewhat different than just fire safety tips. HOAs are hard to predict here, so you should be sure to check your own regulations and rules before building a fire pit. Of course, during a consultation, we can help you work within the boundaries of your HOA's rules, but you'll want to make sure you have a copy of these to reference before getting your heart set on a beautiful grilling space, only to find out it's against the rules of your HOA.

Here are the real brass tacks of a backyard BBQ pit: do you DIY or do you call in the professional? For DIY, you need to budget more than just the money for materials. There are some aspects that you can do yourself when making a BBQ pit, but remember, it may take you longer than a professional, and your time is money. You need to plan for extra materials in case of error, as well as overall time investment, designing, and, of course, building. Even if you plan to do your own construction on a backyard BBQ pit, we can still help you with a planning consultation. This can help take the stress off you and give you a clear road map to your dream grilling area.

One of the benefits of working with professionals is that, while this may be your first grilling area, they've already seen it all and know how to avoid common pitfalls and issues with designs. Not only does the right professional help you manifest your dream grilling area, but they also listen to your input and work closely with you to create what you want for your landscaping.

There's no right choice when it comes to choosing to DIY or work with a professional, but we can help you make that choice through our consultation and planning services, so you know what you're getting into when making that backyard BBQ pit of your dreams.

Work with a Landscape Designer for the Perfect Build

As we said, doing DIY work can be a great option for making a backyard BBQ pit. However, there is a benefit to working with a landscape designer. First, professionals know how to design and plan outdoor spaces thanks to years of experience. Not only can they look at your BBQ pit as a single space, but they can also plan out how it fits into your whole yard and landscaping aesthetic. This experience can help ensure your BBQ pit doesn't stick out like a sore thumb, and instead merges seamlessly into your landscaping.

On top of this, professional landscape designers know the common pitfalls of landscaping, like choosing a weather-sensitive material for pavers or deciding on a beautiful species of flower that takes more water than your swimming pool. By helping you avoid these expensive pitfalls from the start, landscape designers can make the whole process that much smoother. If you're interested in streamlining your backyard BBQ pit planning process, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Adding a backyard BBQ pit can create a cozy, welcoming space for hosting at your home. Whether you're upgrading that porch grill or looking to add a whole new space in your yard, a BBQ pit can revolutionize outdoor entertaining. From a tropical poolside grill to a small, comfortable entertaining space in the center of your garden, making your dream backyard a reality isn't difficult. If you're ready to bring your BBQ pit backyard ideas to life, contact us today!

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Meet Allison, Founder & CEO of Sublime Setup

Allison is a passionate landscape designer and contractor with deep roots in Southern California. My love for outdoor living started at an early age, inspired by my grandfather’s craftsmanship and my own experiences exploring nature. That passion evolved into a thriving business dedicated to helping homeowners enhance their outdoor spaces.

Based in San Clemente, I work closely with homeowners across Orange County, creating landscapes that are both stunning and functional. My approach combines thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and a commitment to bringing each client’s vision to life. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing garden escape or a dynamic outdoor entertainment area, I’m here to help make it happen.

At Sublime Setup, we believe that an outdoor space should be more than just a yard; it should be an extension of your home, a place where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the beauty of nature. That’s why we pour our hearts into every project, delivering high-quality, custom-designed landscapes that enhance not just properties, but lifestyles.

If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space, reach out today! Let’s create something extraordinary together.

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