Style your braai area to perfection this Heritage Month with the best decor tips you could ask for

Stay Grounded 
As South Africans, we love being outdoors, if not more so, than being indoors. With the recent shift in architecture, homes are now created with a more seamless flow from the indoors out. This means your design style and aesthetic is carried through from the interiors to your outdoor furniture options. Comfortable seating, ottomans and coffee tables are a great place to start when creating this space. Be sure to keep in mind the durability factor because weather plays a part in how long your furniture items will last. No one wants to be buying an outdoor couch every year, so just make sure they are resistant to the outdoor factors. 

Feeling Fantastic   
Soft furnishings just have a way of making the house feel like a home. It does the same for your patio or braai area, so consider outdoor rugs and waterproof cushions as a way of adding your personality to the space. Not only can you use these items to add colour, but also pattern and bold design taking your braai space from drab to fab in minutes. Always be sure to check the washing instructions on your soft furnishings for outdoors because they will definitely differ from those indoors (we don’t want your colours to run in the washing!).

Tools to Try  
A braai area is only as strong as its sharpest tool (we think this is how the saying goes, or something like it). A great way to add interest when creating the most stylish outdoor braai area is through the accessories. Cutting boards, tongs and the perfect grid all make braaing a little easier, but also helps add to the braai aesthetic, which we are all about. These can be kept in an outdoor cupboard area, or consider keeping them inside, just to bring outdoors when needed. 

Make an Impact   
The pièce de résistance of any great braai area is of course, the grill and braai stand! No braai master is complete without their trusty appliance to smash out killer food with that smokey taste. When creating the perfect braai area, consider a stable ground (paved will work best), and a bit of a sheltered corner. This will just help with lessening the outdoor elements while still being able to cook outside. Whether you choose a gas, coal or firewood stand to cook your meals, the grill is sure to make an impact on your braai area. Not to mention the pop of colours they now come in!  

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Words by Yashna Balwanth
Photography: Gallo/GettyImages, Courtesy Images