Cooking outdoors is more popular than ever.

What does outdoor cooking mean to you? Some of us will never lose our affection for a simple kettle grill full of red-hot charcoal and a few smoking wood chips. But, with the boom in everything from gas grills to fully stocked outdoor kitchens, the design possibilities for outdoor cooking areas is almost endless. Some people are even building wood-fired ovens in search of the perfect homemade pizzas and fresh bread. Another popular idea is using a fire pit as the centerpiece of your deck. What could be better than sitting around a fire roasting hot dogs by moonlight.

Design your cooking area for people. No one likes to cook alone–especially outside.

Here is a great example of what you can do with a beautiful day, great food and an invitation to a few friends. This outdoor space is detached from the house to take advantage of a beautiful natural setting. The deck is defined by low stone walls, which help this rather large space to feel cozy. It allows plenty of room for a large dining table, open space for mingling before dinner and an ample fireplace to keep you and your guests comfortable while you enjoy the feast.

The deck material used here is the rice-hull composite board Xtendex. It is well suited to multipurpose decks because it holds up well to traffic and it’s easy to maintain. An occasional wash up and sweep will keep it looking great for many years. No more annual waterproofing or painting ever again. And Xtendex is one of the most stain resistant composites available–an essential feature when barbecue sauce and cooking oil is in use.

If you have something simpler in mind, here you have a nice gas grill right outside the kitchen door. By creating a simple, yet elegant sitting area nearby, you invite company to relax and enjoy your company while you cook.