There’s a time, between the end of spring and the first truly warm evenings, when the garden once again becomes an extra room in the house. You set the table outdoors, invite friends over, and linger outside long into the evening.
- Where to position the barbecue in the garden
- How many square metres do you need for a functional barbecue area?
- Masonry barbecue: the heart of the outdoor design
- Barbecue cover: pergola, gazebo or canopy?
- Ideas for furnishing your garden barbecue area
- Planning permission: what to check first
- FAQ — Frequently asked questions about garden barbecue areas
Creating a barbecue area in the garden, however, isn’t just about choosing a barbecue and finding a spare spot near the table. A well-designed barbecue area stems from a number of practical considerations: location, distances, wind, worktop, materials, cover and style.
In this guide, you’ll find useful tips to help you navigate the various options, understand what to consider before you start,and be better prepared to make your choices – including when discussing the project with the professional who will be carrying it out.
Where to position the barbecue in the garden
Location is the first decision to make. The barbecue should be close enough to the kitchen to make it convenient to pass dishes, ingredients and crockery back and forth, but not so close that smoke and heat are directed towards doors, windows or curtains.
Before choosing the final spot, take a look at the garden at different times of the day. Which way does the wind blow? Where does the sun shine during the hours when you’ll be using the space the most? Is there an area that’s already naturally close to the table or the porch?
As a general rule, the barbecue chimney should be positioned at least 6 metres from trees, buildings and other vertical obstacles, to minimise smoke backflow and make cooking more pleasant.
Pay attention to the base too: a concrete or brick barbecue must rest on a wide, compact and stable platform, preferably made of concrete, which is not prone to subsidence. If you’d like to find out more about the key steps for correct installation, take a look at our guide on how to assemble a barbecue to the highest standards.
How many square metres do you need for a functional barbecue area?
You don’t need a huge garden. You just need to plan your layout carefully.
For a small garden BBQ area in the garden, 4–6 square metres may be enough, provided the area includes a grill and a basic worktop. If you want to add a workstation, a space for firewood or a storage unit for utensils, it’s best to allow for 8–10 square metres.
For an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue, sink, side burners, oven or integrated island, it’s best to allow for at least 12 square metres. Not to fill the space, but to ensure comfortable movement while cooking, without forcing guests to walk behind the grill or near the hottest part of the area.
The most useful rule is this: leave a clear space in front of the barbecue, keep the worktop within easy reach and separate – even if only visually – the cooking area from the dining area.
Masonry barbecue: the heart of the outdoor design
In an outdoor kitchen, a built-in barbecue does not just stand as a cooking station: it is the element that organises the space. It defines where you cook, where you move about, where you need work surfaces, and how close the table can be placed.
For this reason, it should be chosen with the overall design in mind: the number of people, frequency of use, type of cooking, available space and the possibility of integrating new elements over time.
In Palazzetti designs, for example, various barbecues can be combined with modules from Palazzetti’s Cookie outdoor kitchen range: worktops, sink, gas hob, oven, corner unit and storage compartments. This is a useful solution if you want to start with a simpler setup and transform it, year after year, into a proper outdoor kitchen.
If you’d like to find out more about the benefits, types and features of built-in models, do read the dedicated article.
Dimensions, hob and worktop space
The size of your barbecue depends on how you cook. A large grill is handy for large cuts of meat, whole fish or cooking several dishes at once. A model with an oven allows you to alternate between grilling, baking bread, making pizzas and slower cooking methods. A side firebox, on the other hand, helps to produce embers continuously and make better use of the grill area.
The worktop is just as important. It’s used for chopping boards, baking trays, tongs, seasonings and ready-to-serve dishes. Without a surface nearby, even the simplest barbecue session becomes a constant back-and-forth to the kitchen inside.
With or without a hood?
A hood helps to channel smoke upwards and is often the neatest option for a permanent barbecue area, especially if the barbecue is situated near walls, porches or living areas.
A solution without a hood can work in very open spaces, but requires greater attention to wind, distances and the direction of the smoke. If in doubt, it is best to consider the draught during the planning stage, rather than once the barbecue area is complete.
Barbecue cover: pergola, gazebo or canopy?
A canopy makes the barbecue area more liveable: it provides shelter from the sun, protects against light rain and allows you to use the outdoor space for more months of the year. Not all canopies, however, are suitable for the fire area.
A pergola is ideal for defining the space and creating shade, provided the materials and distances are compatible with heat and smoke. A lightweight gazebo is better suited to the dining area than to directly covering the barbecue. A permanent roof is the most robust solution, but requires more careful consideration regarding planning permission, dimensions, stability and ventilation.
A masonry barbecue under the shelter of such structures can be very practical, but these must be designed as a cohesive whole: height, smoke extraction, fire-resistant materials, access points and maintenance must all be consistent.
Ideas for furnishing your garden barbecue area
The style depends on the house. A rustic garden lends itself well to stone, brick, treated wood and convivial dining tables. A contemporary space works best with clean lines, grey surfaces, compact units and lightweight seating.
In a small garden, less is more: a compact barbecue, a nearby worktop, closed storage units and unobstructed walkways. In a larger space, however, you could consider a barbecue area with an integrated kitchen island, sink, gas hob and oven. That way, everything takes place outdoors: preparation, cooking, serving and socialising.
Barbecue area on a terrace or balcony
Different rules apply on terraces and balconies: weight, dimensions, smoke, fuel and block of flats regulations become crucial. In these cases, it’s best to opt for compact and lightweight solutions, such as the Alain gas barbecue by Palazzetti, which is practical to use and suitable even for the most confined spaces, while always checking building regulations and condominium rules where applicable.
Planning permission: what to check first
A built-in barbecue may be considered part of the furnishings of the associated outdoor areas, but the assessment varies depending on its size, stability, the presence of a roof, landscape restrictions and local or block regulations.
Before you start, check three things: your local council’s regulations, any restrictions on the property, and the availability of gas, electricity or water connections. If the barbecue area requires installations, Ministerial Decree 37/2008 also applies, concerning the installation of systems within buildings and their appurtenances.
To choose the model best suited to your space, explore the Palazzetti barbecue range and seek advice from your nearest retailer.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about garden barbecue areas
Start by considering the location, wind direction, distances and available space. Then choose the barbecue, worktop, materials, any canopy and furnishings. The result should be comfortable for cooking, safe to move around and in keeping with the style of the garden.
There is no single distance that applies throughout Italy. Check local council regulations, your block of flats’ rules and any local restrictions. In general, keep it away from boundaries, windows, trees and flammable materials; Palazzetti recommends a minimum of 6 metres from trees, buildings and vertical obstacles.
In Italy, the Glossary of Free Building Works includes masonry barbecues among the fixtures permitted in ancillary outdoor areas, but dimensions, stability, roofing, local restrictions and utilities may affect the assessment. It is best to check with the local council or a building engineer.
With a roof, you have more shade, protection and comfort. Without a roof, you have better ventilation and less construction complexity. Pergolas, canopies and gazebos should be chosen taking into account heat, fumes, materials and local regulations.
On the cover: Faro barbecue
