15 Pizza Ovens That Are a Slice of Heaven
If you've longed for a pizza oven for your home, here are some ideas for how to set one up in a dedicated outdoor entertaining space
Over the past few years I have been building myself a coastal beach house using recycled materials, many discarded from the various projects I have been involved in. Now, finally, I have reached the most exciting stage – the design of the outdoor entertaining space where I am going to install my very own pizza oven, something I have always wanted. With views of the water in the distance, I imagine spending endless summer days at home, basking in the sun and enjoying the company of friends and family, all while serving delicious wood-fired pizzas.
However, after speaking to so many pizza gurus, I realised that I hadn’t really considered what type of outdoor area best suited my pizza oven, or, for that matter, what type of pizza oven I was going to buy. Let’s look at these inspirational examples I’ve gathered together, to shed some light on what is possible, and help us all make the right decision for our individual spaces.
However, after speaking to so many pizza gurus, I realised that I hadn’t really considered what type of outdoor area best suited my pizza oven, or, for that matter, what type of pizza oven I was going to buy. Let’s look at these inspirational examples I’ve gathered together, to shed some light on what is possible, and help us all make the right decision for our individual spaces.
2. A slice of life outdoors
If you love the feeling of being outdoors, but want a sense of enclosure without being fully under cover, then a pizza oven in a courtyard setting provides the ideal outdoor room.
This oven is integrated into the surrounding brick walls, creating an entertaining space that is further enhanced by the overhead pergola open to the sky. Vines are allowed to grow on the pergola, making it an intimate, introverted and visually interesting courtyard, and ideal for a summer entertaining area that has no view.
If you love the feeling of being outdoors, but want a sense of enclosure without being fully under cover, then a pizza oven in a courtyard setting provides the ideal outdoor room.
This oven is integrated into the surrounding brick walls, creating an entertaining space that is further enhanced by the overhead pergola open to the sky. Vines are allowed to grow on the pergola, making it an intimate, introverted and visually interesting courtyard, and ideal for a summer entertaining area that has no view.
3. In the green room
If you want to use the oven all year ’round, or you want protection from the summer sun without actually being indoors, then a great solution would be to place your pizza oven in a covered room that’s open to the elements.
The architects at Space Studio have integrated this pizza oven into the architecture of this home, where the indoors blend seamlessly with the outdoors. A sweeping roof over the space creates a canopy, while open walls welcome the garden and the natural elements inside.
Make the most of your indoor-outdoor area
If you want to use the oven all year ’round, or you want protection from the summer sun without actually being indoors, then a great solution would be to place your pizza oven in a covered room that’s open to the elements.
The architects at Space Studio have integrated this pizza oven into the architecture of this home, where the indoors blend seamlessly with the outdoors. A sweeping roof over the space creates a canopy, while open walls welcome the garden and the natural elements inside.
Make the most of your indoor-outdoor area
4. Alfresco oven tones
Summer entertaining doesn’t have to mean being exposed to the harsh elements of the Australian climate. A pizza oven housed alongside a full, integrated outdoor kitchen is a great choice for entertaining during summer in a relaxed atmosphere.
When not in use for cooking, the pizza oven can become a cosy fireplace if you also want to use the space in winter. Here, the colours of soft furnishings, such as in the cushions and other upholstery, complement the colour of the oven, adding to its fresh, vibrant look.
Summer entertaining doesn’t have to mean being exposed to the harsh elements of the Australian climate. A pizza oven housed alongside a full, integrated outdoor kitchen is a great choice for entertaining during summer in a relaxed atmosphere.
When not in use for cooking, the pizza oven can become a cosy fireplace if you also want to use the space in winter. Here, the colours of soft furnishings, such as in the cushions and other upholstery, complement the colour of the oven, adding to its fresh, vibrant look.
5. Pizza palace
The wonderful thing about placing your pizza oven in a standalone pavilion is that it can be positioned anywhere in your garden. You can make it so that the pavilion acts as either a focal point in the garden, or as an annex to a pool, such as in this residence designed by architect Francis Garcia.
The design can be compatible with the architecture of your home, or it can have a completely independent aesthetic with grand proportions. It’s a great place to retreat to on a hot summer day, and small enough to be set within a garden environment.
Sublime outdoor rooms across the Pacific
The wonderful thing about placing your pizza oven in a standalone pavilion is that it can be positioned anywhere in your garden. You can make it so that the pavilion acts as either a focal point in the garden, or as an annex to a pool, such as in this residence designed by architect Francis Garcia.
The design can be compatible with the architecture of your home, or it can have a completely independent aesthetic with grand proportions. It’s a great place to retreat to on a hot summer day, and small enough to be set within a garden environment.
Sublime outdoor rooms across the Pacific
6. Favoured flavours
It has always been a great Australian pastime in summer to sit on a back verandah or covered patio enjoying a barbecue. We have come far in recent years, with many homes now not only boasting a state-of-the-art stainless steel barbecue but also a wood-fired pizza oven that shares the spotlight. Not content with just making pizzas, these ovens can cook just about anything, and feel at home in even the most humble settings.
It has always been a great Australian pastime in summer to sit on a back verandah or covered patio enjoying a barbecue. We have come far in recent years, with many homes now not only boasting a state-of-the-art stainless steel barbecue but also a wood-fired pizza oven that shares the spotlight. Not content with just making pizzas, these ovens can cook just about anything, and feel at home in even the most humble settings.
7. A touch of charcoal
The great thing about using more robust building materials, such as rendered brick, sealed timbers, concrete and stainless steel is that your outdoor kitchen need not be under cover at all.
Why not take full advantage of the Australian summer sun – and the good weather we are lucky enough to enjoy throughout most of the year – and keep your entertaining out in the open. Stick to natural and neutral colours, such as charcoal and silver greys, ruddy browns and olive greens, which easily blend in with or complement the Australian landscape.
Decorating with Australian bush colours
The great thing about using more robust building materials, such as rendered brick, sealed timbers, concrete and stainless steel is that your outdoor kitchen need not be under cover at all.
Why not take full advantage of the Australian summer sun – and the good weather we are lucky enough to enjoy throughout most of the year – and keep your entertaining out in the open. Stick to natural and neutral colours, such as charcoal and silver greys, ruddy browns and olive greens, which easily blend in with or complement the Australian landscape.
Decorating with Australian bush colours
8. Dedicated dining space
To fully embrace the summer vibe, build a backyard barbecue and pizza-oven pergola designed specifically for picnic style dining with family and friends.
There’s no room here for lounging or lolling by the side of a pool, this is a serious food appreciation space!
To fully embrace the summer vibe, build a backyard barbecue and pizza-oven pergola designed specifically for picnic style dining with family and friends.
There’s no room here for lounging or lolling by the side of a pool, this is a serious food appreciation space!
9. Laid-back living and dining
Pizza’s a laid-back kind of meal, so create a space that reflects both the casual nature of the food and the desire for relaxed outdoor entertaining spaces. Here, the focal point of the sunken lounge is actually the enclosed fireplace, while the pizza oven is situated off to the side, and blends in with the grey stone wall.
This layout allows those using the space to concentrate on enjoying one another’s company and conversation in cushioned comfort, while the idea of dining out takes a bit of a backseat.
12 casual dining options
Pizza’s a laid-back kind of meal, so create a space that reflects both the casual nature of the food and the desire for relaxed outdoor entertaining spaces. Here, the focal point of the sunken lounge is actually the enclosed fireplace, while the pizza oven is situated off to the side, and blends in with the grey stone wall.
This layout allows those using the space to concentrate on enjoying one another’s company and conversation in cushioned comfort, while the idea of dining out takes a bit of a backseat.
12 casual dining options
10. Back to the wall
As we have just seen, pizza ovens don’t have to stand out. If you’d prefer a more streamlined design, why not go for a small contemporary-style oven that is built into the wall.
This pavilion, which sits to the back of the home alongside a lap pool, provides as many casual cooking options as you could want, with an integrated teppanyaki hotplate and barbecue sitting in the bench opposite the pizza oven.
As we have just seen, pizza ovens don’t have to stand out. If you’d prefer a more streamlined design, why not go for a small contemporary-style oven that is built into the wall.
This pavilion, which sits to the back of the home alongside a lap pool, provides as many casual cooking options as you could want, with an integrated teppanyaki hotplate and barbecue sitting in the bench opposite the pizza oven.
11. Rough and ready
If ‘contemporary’ and ‘streamlined’ are two words that make you shudder, you may want to get back to basics with a more rustic design for your outdoor oven. This stone pizza oven is about as traditional as you can get, and even has its own built-in fuel storage space. What more do you need?
A rustic cabin with exquisite views
If ‘contemporary’ and ‘streamlined’ are two words that make you shudder, you may want to get back to basics with a more rustic design for your outdoor oven. This stone pizza oven is about as traditional as you can get, and even has its own built-in fuel storage space. What more do you need?
A rustic cabin with exquisite views
12. Smart and stylish
This oven, created with a similar shape to the rustic cob oven above, but with a contemporary style, also needs no adornment. It’s a serious oven, made for serious slices. BYO table and chairs.
Just remember, if you go to town – as I want to do – and decide to build a sizeable outdoor oven, be aware that it may take all day to get the fire hot enough to actually cook your pizzas. If you want to to limit the set-up time and use your oven more spontaneously, then a smaller oven may be a better solution.
This oven, created with a similar shape to the rustic cob oven above, but with a contemporary style, also needs no adornment. It’s a serious oven, made for serious slices. BYO table and chairs.
Just remember, if you go to town – as I want to do – and decide to build a sizeable outdoor oven, be aware that it may take all day to get the fire hot enough to actually cook your pizzas. If you want to to limit the set-up time and use your oven more spontaneously, then a smaller oven may be a better solution.
13. Sleek and shiny
To give your outdoor entertaining area the feel of a stylish family kitchen and dining area, consider getting a pizza oven that blends in with the coveted and contemporary stainless steel aesthetic.
While this fully-equipped kitchen is actually an outdoor space, the partial enclosure gives it a comfortable, homey feel while still allowing diners to enjoy the elements.
To give your outdoor entertaining area the feel of a stylish family kitchen and dining area, consider getting a pizza oven that blends in with the coveted and contemporary stainless steel aesthetic.
While this fully-equipped kitchen is actually an outdoor space, the partial enclosure gives it a comfortable, homey feel while still allowing diners to enjoy the elements.
14. Family-size dining
For the true entertainers among us, nothing beats a sizeable outdoor entertaining area complete with a barbecue plate built into a kitchen island, an overhanging range hood and, of course, a family-size pizza oven.
For the true entertainers among us, nothing beats a sizeable outdoor entertaining area complete with a barbecue plate built into a kitchen island, an overhanging range hood and, of course, a family-size pizza oven.
15. A moveable feast
While a dedicated space for a built-in pizza oven is a chic and sophisticated option, I love the idea of simply choosing a portable pizza oven that can be wheeled around to multiple outdoor entertaining areas around your home.
Living on the coast, unpredictable weather and strong winds can sometimes mean having to abandon one area outside to take refuge in a more protected part of our home. Being able to move my pizza oven with me would be a great option, and one that would allow me to fully enjoy every area around the outside of my home.
While a dedicated space for a built-in pizza oven is a chic and sophisticated option, I love the idea of simply choosing a portable pizza oven that can be wheeled around to multiple outdoor entertaining areas around your home.
Living on the coast, unpredictable weather and strong winds can sometimes mean having to abandon one area outside to take refuge in a more protected part of our home. Being able to move my pizza oven with me would be a great option, and one that would allow me to fully enjoy every area around the outside of my home.
My choice of oven…
I wanted a pizza oven that wasn’t too big, and I wanted it to give off heat like a fireplace. It had to be able to make pizzas and to make them fast. I wanted to use it when it rained and when the sun was out, and have all my friends and family gather around it. Oh, I also wanted to bake bread in it, (that’s my wife laughing in the background; she doubts I will even make the pizzas!)
So I chose a cast iron, wood-fired Morso Forno Oven. It does it all, pizzas and meat (and bread), and can be used as a conventional oven, too. I can even store the wood underneath, and it’s totally portable.
I wanted a pizza oven that wasn’t too big, and I wanted it to give off heat like a fireplace. It had to be able to make pizzas and to make them fast. I wanted to use it when it rained and when the sun was out, and have all my friends and family gather around it. Oh, I also wanted to bake bread in it, (that’s my wife laughing in the background; she doubts I will even make the pizzas!)
So I chose a cast iron, wood-fired Morso Forno Oven. It does it all, pizzas and meat (and bread), and can be used as a conventional oven, too. I can even store the wood underneath, and it’s totally portable.
…construction and location
I’m building my pizza oven into a cupboard, my version of a garden pavilion. It will have a huge door at its face, which will open like a food truck servery.
Here, above, is a photo of my pizza oven pavilion – currently under construction. And here is one last tip, too: if you are going to choose a cast iron oven and you live on the coast like me, consider the rust factor. My pavilion will be adequate protection from the elements for my pizza oven, while also providing an interesting entertaining space for friends and family.
Stay tuned as I post photos of my completed summer outdoor entertaining area, complete with my wood-fired pizza oven, in the near future.
TELL US
What would the perfect home be for your pizza oven, whether you have one yet or not? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
9 Tips for a Functional and Stylish Outdoor Kitchen
Easy Lighting Fixes for Your Outdoor Area
Built-In Joinery Takes Homes to the Next Level
I’m building my pizza oven into a cupboard, my version of a garden pavilion. It will have a huge door at its face, which will open like a food truck servery.
Here, above, is a photo of my pizza oven pavilion – currently under construction. And here is one last tip, too: if you are going to choose a cast iron oven and you live on the coast like me, consider the rust factor. My pavilion will be adequate protection from the elements for my pizza oven, while also providing an interesting entertaining space for friends and family.
Stay tuned as I post photos of my completed summer outdoor entertaining area, complete with my wood-fired pizza oven, in the near future.
TELL US
What would the perfect home be for your pizza oven, whether you have one yet or not? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
9 Tips for a Functional and Stylish Outdoor Kitchen
Easy Lighting Fixes for Your Outdoor Area
Built-In Joinery Takes Homes to the Next Level
A huge outdoor pizza oven with a soaring chimney acting as both a fireplace and pizza oven can be such a spectacular feature it’s worthy of being the central focus of your outdoor area. With the oven taking centre stage, skilled tradesmen could incorporate the overall design to blend in with the surrounding environment, with built-in seats and comfortable cushions out in the open for all to enjoy.
By limiting the oven’s palette to one material and a single colour – in this case a rendered masonry finish in a neutral off-white – the whole outdoor area appears organic and fluid in this perfect coastal setting.