In South Africa, the Braai is considered a religious ritual, and almost everyone loves it. Some people think a perfect weekend is hosting friends and family for a Braai at their house. But what are Braai areas in Cape Town, and how can you make your friends and family at home in your Braai area? Read on to find out.
What is Braai
Although it may be compared to a BBQ, a Braai is much more than that in South Africa. There are many traditions and customs surrounding traditional Braai, a South African Braai recipes that may last for hours. The fire is the focal point of any Braai. Modern Braais utilize charcoal, while traditional Braai rooms use local wood; both methods impart unique flavors to the meat. No Braai is complete without the use of gas.
The Braai recipes have meat grilled to perfection after a sufficient amount of hot coals have been put on top of the grill. Keeping the fire going is an important part of any Braai, even after the Braai meals are cooked.
In South Africa, building a Braai room over an open fire using wood is almost an art form; the wood quality may affect the final product. For instance, camel thorn (kameeldoring) burns slowly but produces good heat and coals, while vine wood (wingerd) burns quickly but produces short-lived coals, which is excellent for imparting flavor and perfume.
Typically, the person hosting the Braai is responsible for gathering the wood and lighting the fire. The host, or “Braaimaster,” would often prepare the meat over an open fire while the guests mingled and sipped beverages. “You don’t mess with another man’s fire!” goes the adage: “Jy krap nie aan ‘n ander man se vuur nie.”
Braai areas in Cape Town houses may transform into a gathering place for private gatherings, informal conversations, laughing, and good times with a well-designed Braai area on a balcony, porch, or terrace. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your covered patio or backyard, which is perfect for hosting Braai gatherings of friends and family.
1. Extend Your Indoors
Your outdoor cooking area, or Braai room, should be an extension of your inside gathering places. Keep in mind that you should also make preparations for shade, shelter, and warmth. Incorporate a pergola or awning for summertime shade. You may also get some huge beach umbrellas to cover the chairs. And because some South Africans like Braaing even in the dead of winter, you may want to consider investing in an outdoor heater to make your cooking space more inviting.
To make the most of the available Braai places in Cape Town, an open floor plan that effortlessly links the indoor and outdoor spaces is highly recommended for both homes and gardens. Assuming you have the room and access to big windows or glass doors, it’s a smart choice. The continuity of Braai ideas is further enhanced by the fact that the inside and outdoor furnishings share a lot of forms and colors.
2. Give A Rustic Touch
A lot of designs can get imprinted into your Braai room/barbeque area. Braai may work well in a rustic setting, so go with all brown or off-white. A cottage dining room could be the best description for this setting. In the décor, every element should convey affection. Why not display artwork, beautiful furniture, and a wicker lamp to make it more inviting?
3. Outside Room
Think of the Braai areas in Cape Town as an extension of your inside area. However, this space should not be left out as an all-open space. You can add a roof or a shade over one side to give a small, luxurious touch. Think of all the magical moments that might unfold in such a courtyard! Inside, you’ll find a cozy living area with a bar and grill; outdoors, you’ll find tiles. Plants tucked carelessly between the furniture pieces provide a touch of nature.
You can carefully select every detail for this design by reviewing numerous Braai images from Google and Pinterest. Imagine your friends and family having a great weekend on your carefully-picked chairs and sofas in this area. With abundant cushions and an umbrella for shade, you can relax and catch up on each other’s lives, jobs, and pastimes. With great success, the experts at BOMO can combine rustic elements with contemporary Braai ideas for your Braai area.
4. Balcony with Braai
Patios and play areas combining wood, brick, and earth tones for the walls are unsurpassed when it comes to Braai places in Cape Town. Lights in this setting might be spare, along with ethnic accents and minimal flooring. You may make the remaining room into a dance floor by putting all the kitchen appliances in one corner of the leisure area.
5. Pergola
A pergola adorned with partially see-through plastic sheets can be a sight to see in Braai places in Cape Town! A fun hangout spot with all the essentials can be yours, with only one wall decorated with decorative items and kitchenware. Cabinets or shelves may stand in for doors, and a few wicker baskets can be used to store dirty utensils. Your garden will exude an aura of tranquility and renewal with this design.
Now that you are equipped with ideas on how to arrange the area for your Braai areas in Cape Town start planning the renovations!
Final Thoughts
South Africans gather around the Braai area to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, engagements, national holidays, or a fun weekend. Gathering around the fire to enjoy delicious Braai meals and one another’s company is a special occasion.
“Braden” means “to roast” in Dutch, and the Afrikaans term “Braai” is derived from it. Braais are beautiful since they aren’t exclusive to any South African culture and may unite the country.
Are you looking to renovate your Cape Town house for a Braai room? With builders who are National Home Builders Registration Council members, BOMO guarantees high-quality work as your reliable home improvement partner. Your house should reflect your individuality, according to BOMO. We are committed, as long-term residents, to making your homes more beautiful and practical. Whether a major overhaul or a little touch-up, our trained professionals will expertly complete the job.
Contact us for more information on Braai ideas.
