So, you’ve got yourself a brick BBQ setup. Maybe it’s a sleek new one from a brick BBQ kit or something you’ve put together from a solid diy bbq kit. Either way, props to you – you’ve joined the league of backyard warriors who know that food tastes better cooked outdoors, over flames, with the scent of charcoal and sizzling meat floating in the air.
But let’s be real – the BBQ isn’t just about cooking. It’s about the vibe. And sometimes, even the most solid brick BBQ can look… meh. Like it belongs to your dad in the 90s, surrounded by patchy grass and a broken plastic chair. That ain’t it anymore.
So how do you go from basic to backyard goals? Here’s a full-on guide to making your brick BBQ look cool – like “Instagram-worthy Sunday chill” cool – without ditching the rugged charm that makes it special.
1. Start With the Foundation – Clean It Up
Whether you’ve built your grill from scratch using a diy bbq kit or installed a pre-designed brick bbq kit, your first job is to give it a fresh reset. Scrub off soot, grease stains, moss (yep, some of these grills have been through wild weather), and restore that natural brick look.
Don’t power-wash unless you’re sure the bricks are sealed. Go with warm water, dish soap, a hard-bristle brush, and some elbow grease. This alone makes it look 10x better.
While you’re at it, check the mortar. If you’ve built it yourself from a diy bbq project, the joints might have shifted or cracked over time. Repoint where necessary. Not glamorous – but trust, it pays off when you dress it up later.
2. Light It Up – Add Ambient Lighting
Nothing kills a chill mood faster than cooking in the dark with your phone flashlight. Cool lighting isn’t just practical – it makes the whole space pop.
Go for:
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Warm festoon lights – Hang these overhead or around the edge of your BBQ zone.
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Solar stake lights – Pop a few in surrounding flowerbeds or grass.
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LED strip lights – Under the BBQ countertop or around the base.
Just make sure whatever you use is safe around heat and weatherproof. You want mood, not melted plastic.
3. Accessorise Like a Pro Pitmaster
You wouldn’t rock a fresh outfit without accessories, right? Your brick BBQ is the same. A few well-placed tools and upgrades can instantly change its whole aesthetic.
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Metal utensil hooks – Mount a row on the side to hang tongs, brushes, and skewers.
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Built-in thermometers – They not only help you nail the perfect steak but look pro AF.
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Custom side shelves – Even if they’re simple wood planks, they add visual structure and function.
Bonus if you stain or paint the wood to match the rest of your outdoor setup. Think earthy tones or charcoal black.
4. Build a BBQ Station, Not Just a BBQ
Here’s the move that separates weekend warriors from backyard legends: turning your brick BBQ into a full-on outdoor kitchen station.
What does that look like?
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Add a countertop extension on either side of the grill using concrete or stone slabs.
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Drop in a storage shelf below for charcoal bags, spices, or wood.
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If you’re feeling extra, set up a prep sink with a garden hose hookup.
This instantly upgrades the experience. You’re not just grilling – you’re hosting. And everyone notices.
5. Choose a BBQ Style – and Run With It
Here’s where things get fun. Pick a visual theme or BBQ culture you vibe with and lean into it hard. Here are a few style ideas:
The Rustic Argentinian Look
Inspired by traditional Argentinian BBQ setups, this look is all about wood-fired authenticity. Think:
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A wrought iron grill surface (maybe with a crank handle)
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Heavy-duty metalwork
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Wood logs stacked nearby, ready for open-fire cooking
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A leather apron hanging nearby for full gaucho energy
This gives your setup a rugged, earthy feel – perfect if you love a primal steak-on-fire kind of cookout.
The Mediterranean Vibe
A nod to sunny summer evenings and chilled white wine.
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Paint the surrounding bricks in white or light sand tones
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Add mosaic tiles as trim around the counter
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Grow rosemary, thyme, and oregano in pots nearby
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Serve grilled veggies, souvlaki, and halloumi on the side
A setup like this works amazing if your brick bbq is near a patio or garden.
The Urban Industrial Aesthetic
If your BBQ lives in a modern garden or a minimalist space, go sleek.
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Use dark bricks or paint them in matte black
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Add steel counters and black metal fixtures
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Keep accessories sharp and monochrome – black tongs, grey towels
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Use clean lines, and declutter everything
It’s like giving your BBQ the same vibes as a top-tier rooftop bar.
6. Introduce a Chill-Out Zone
Look, no one wants to stand next to the BBQ alone while everyone else lounges elsewhere. Merge your grilling space with a seating zone to turn your brick bbq into the centrepiece of the party.
Options:
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Wooden bench seating with cushions nearby
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A couple of Adirondack chairs around a fire pit
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A picnic table with fairy lights overhead
Suddenly your BBQ isn’t just a grill – it’s a destination. You’ll cook more because you want to hang out there.
7. Go Green – Add Plants and Nature
One of the easiest ways to make your bbq area look way cooler is by adding life. Not in a jungle way, just enough to soften the bricks and stone with greenery.
Try:
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Tall grasses or bamboo behind the BBQ for a privacy wall
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Potted herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary on the counter
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Creepers or ivy hanging around the BBQ station
It’s about balancing fire and stone with softness and shade. Nature makes everything cooler. Literally and visually.
8. Make It Social Media Ready
Okay, not everyone cares about posting BBQ shots, but hear me out. If it looks good on camera, it probably looks good in real life too.
Keep these tips in mind:
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Use natural light – place the BBQ so it catches late afternoon sun
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Choose surfaces that reflect or contrast the food – wood, black stone, or raw concrete look amazing
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Clean and declutter before guests arrive – or before snapping pics
When your mate posts a story and tags your backyard, you know you’ve made it.
9. Think About the Extras
Little things add a lot of personality. Some optional (but awesome) upgrades include:
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A mounted bottle opener
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A spice rack on the brick wall
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A Bluetooth speaker system nearby
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A chalkboard for the “menu” of the day
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An outdoor mini fridge for cold drinks
These additions don’t just make your brick bbq look cool – they make you look like the host of the year.
10. Don’t Forget the Cooking Style
All the aesthetic upgrades in the world don’t matter if the food doesn’t hit. And the way your BBQ looks can actually reflect the way you cook.
If you’re into high-heat searing, open-grate grilling, and smoky steaks, then lean into the Argentinian BBQ style. If you prefer low-and-slow with marinades and veggies, go Mediterranean. If you’re all about efficiency and bold urban flavour, your setup can be lean and high-performance.
Design your BBQ look to reflect the way you cook and entertain. That’s when the whole thing feels authentic and cohesive.
Final Thoughts: Make It Yours
There’s no single blueprint for the coolest brick bbq. It’s about turning your outdoor space into a reflection of how you chill, how you eat, and how you host.
Whether you built it from a diy bbq kit on a tight budget or splurged on a fully loaded brick bbq kit with all the extras, what matters is how you make it yours.
A brick BBQ is more than a grill. It’s your fire pit, your stage, your centerpiece. So make it look the part.
And when the sun sets, your friends are vibing, the grill is on, and someone says, “Yo, this setup is unreal,” you’ll know – the glow-up was worth it.