With people spending more time in their own backyards in 2020, many homeowners have looked at their outdoor cooking and barbecue spaces and seen the need to upgrade them. If your own grilling area needs a quick makeover, one of the best and easiest ways to update it is by adding some stone.

Not sure how you might incorporate stone into your particular space? Here are a few ideas to try out.

1. Stone Flooring

Stone patios and walkways provide excellent bases for outdoor cooking and dining. They are durable, look great, provide necessary traction, and are nonflammable. Putting in a new floor could be enough to transform the entire entertainment area in as little as one weekend.

Stone floor materials come in many shapes, sizes, textures, and price ranges. If you are on a budget, pavers and flagstone are good solutions that could even be easy enough for the average do-it-yourself homeowner. While pavers create a symmetrical and structured look, flagstone's advantage is in mimicking a natural appearance through its varied colors and shapes.

2. Stone Veneer Enclosures

If you want to make your outdoor kitchen appear more luxurious and expensive, one of the best ways to do so is to add stone veneer to tables, cabinetry, or supports. Veneers, made from molds of actual stone, can be installed just about anywhere in the outdoor space. They can be as deep or shallow as you like, and they come in many colors.

Not sure where to add stone enclosures? Use veneer to enclose the lower section of your prep and grilling area for a completed and harmonious look as well as protection from the weather. Design and install a custom enclosure for the grill that adds beauty and functionality. Or add some fun with a faux stone pizza oven. The possibilities are only limited by what you put into your outdoor kitchen.

3. Natural Stone Counter Tops

Countertops will be a big element of the look of the outdoor kitchen. How do your countertops look? If they are not quite what you envisioned or if they have become stained or damaged over the years, you're unlikely to enjoy working on them. Instead, try a natural stone upgrade for a quick fix.

Granite is one of the most popular choices for outdoor counters because it is more durable than some other choices and won't fade in the sunlight. Slate and even flagstone are also low-maintenance materials and can be adapted to match the decorative style of your cooking area.

4. Surrounding Stone Structures

To make the outdoor dining area into a true destination, do not forget about the surrounding and support structure itself. Many outdoor kitchens have a covering of some kind to protect it from the elements. You could use this structure and roof to add stone features that make it look fancier than it might actually be.

Have support columns for the roof? Surround them with stone veneers to turn necessary supports into beautiful decorative features. Why not install a low half-wall of stone or veneer as the outside perimeter of the entertainment area and additional seating space? Or build a stone base for the dining table or outdoor bar to turn it into a focal point.

Today's homeowners have more choices in materials, colors, and shapes than ever before. No matter what look you want to give your own outdoor space, you can find both real and faux stone elements to fit it perfectly - from the flooring to the supports to the roof itself. Learn more by talking with the stone experts at The Rock Garden today.