For decades, the barbecue has been the heart of the Australian backyard. But recently, that’s started to shift. More and more homeowners are building outdoor spaces that revolve around a wood-fired oven instead.
What began as a functional upgrade has become something more architectural. In conversations with Jalando customers across the country, we’ve seen a clear trend: the oven is not just the last item added. It is becoming the reason people design the space in the first place.
Here’s how that’s playing out.
Outdoor spaces used to be built around the edges of a home. A table, a grill, a small slab of concrete. For many Australians, they’re now a firm extension of their living space.
Homeowners are investing in larger covered areas, integrated benches, lighting, and seating zones that support long evenings outside. And at the centre of many of these plans is the oven.
Some customers choose a statement piece like the tiled JA70 or JA90 to anchor the space visually. Others opt for a more rustic look, blending brickwork with landscaping. Either way, the decision to include an oven often comes first and the rest follows.
Unlike a barbecue, which often sits off to one side, a pizza oven invites movement. People gather around it. They watch the flame. They take turns adding toppings, sliding trays, and checking the crust.
This changes how a space is used.
At Yarra Yarra Golf Club, this shift was noticeable. Once the oven was installed, the outdoor space was used more often and for longer periods of time. The fire changed how people moved through the area.
One owner said they bought the oven to make pizza. Now they use it to cook almost everything they used to do indoors.
Portable ovens still have their place, especially for renters or those with limited space. But many customers are now choosing built-in designs that form part of a longer-term plan.
In some cases, that includes paving and retaining walls. In others, it’s a new alfresco area altogether. The tiled finishes available on Jalando ovens also allow for more colour and texture in the design. This is something that BBQs rarely offer.
A recent Jalando customer told us their oven was the first decision they made when designing their garden. Everything else, from seating to lights to herb planters, came after.
It’s no surprise then that a Jalando Pizza oven was the star of the show in Grant and Courtney’s best backyard winning Mediterranean garden in The Block 2024. We are seeing it clearly: outdoor kitchens have become more than just a trend. They’re now a staple of Australian living.
When the oven is lit, people slow down. The cooking is not rushed. Guests arrive earlier. Drinks are poured while the fire settles. Someone starts preparing toppings. Kids help roll dough.
This rhythm gives shape to the evening. And the space supports it.
Covered zones, bench seating, prep tables and low lighting all help turn a backyard into something more welcoming. These aren’t just outdoor kitchens. They’re outdoor rooms.
Customers often ask us what oven will “look best” in their space. But after speaking to dozens of owners, a better question to ask yourself is:
“what pizza oven will be easiest to use regularly?”
This is because:
That’s why we encourage customers to think about how they cook and gather, not just where the oven will fit.
The best-designed outdoor spaces support a lifestyle, not just a layout.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or adding to an existing deck or patio, the oven can be more than just another cooking appliance. For many of our customers, it becomes the reason they use the space in the first place.
You can explore our customer photo gallery or browse real stories from Australians who have already made fire part of their home.
If you’re not sure where to begin, we’re happy to talk.
