Outdoor Fireplace ideas

Outdoor Fireplaces ideas & Installation

Outdoor fireplaces/firepits refer to structures built for burning wood outdoors. It consists of a firebox, a chimney, or a vent, providing warmth, stunning ambiance, and the best gathering point for your loved ones.  They are the essence of elegance and sophistication of your outdoor space. They offer warmth, atmosphere, and a natural gathering spot for family and friends. Outdoor fireplaces serve as a focal point to your landscape. It automatically attracts attention and provides opportunities for roasting marshmallows or grilling, enhancing your garden area’s beauty. This is more appealing if you like throwing parties or want to improve your garden’s visual appeal.

Here are the 10 Outdoor Fireplaces ideas:

  1. Desert-Inspired Stone Fireplace
  2. Built-In Gas Fireplace with Lava Rocks
  3. Wood-Burning Fireplace with Chimney
  4. Outdoor Fireplace with Seating Area
  5. Freestanding Metal Fireplaces
  6. Outdoor Fireplace with Built-In Grill
  7. Minimalist Fire Feature
  8. Zen Garden Fireplace
  9. Tucson Adobe-Style Fireplace
  10. Customizable Fire Pit

Table of Contents

Desert-Inspired Stone Fireplace

A desert-inspired stone fireplace uses natural stone, which includes limestone, sandstone, or travertine, and creates a rustic yet elegant center point for your outdoor space. You need an open location, maintain 10 feet of clearance from structures or trees, and lay 4–5 inches of reinforced concrete for stability to install a desert-inspired stone fireplace. Ensure to use metal or wooden frames for fireplaces. Remember, proper installation requires 2 to 3 weeks, depending on your required customization. The fireplaces are designed for aesthetic appeal and efficiency, and the natural stone keeps heat for up to 1.5 hours after the fire has been extinguished, offering steady warmth on chilly evenings for your outdoor space.

Built-In Gas Fireplace with Lava Rocks

A fireplace with lava rocks allows more airflow to your burner, which helps distribute heat evenly. These fireplaces consist of natural gas or propane and offer up to 90% thermal efficiency to help provide continuous warmth to your landscape. To install lava rocks, select a well-ventilated area to ensure a flat surface by placing a concrete or metal base of 4–6 inches. You must hire a professional to connect the natural gas or propane line and ensure tight fittings. Lava rocks can retain and radiate heat for 1–2 hours. They save space and fully complement your outdoor landscaping.

Wood-burning fireplace with Chimney

A wood-burning fireplace with a chimney is a timeless heating solution for your landscape that blends functionality with rustic charm. It helps to increase ventilation, smoke management, safety measures, and aesthetic appeal. Wood-burning fireplaces are fueled by natural wood, producing a heat output of 30,000 to 60,000 BTUs, providing a comfortable ambiance enhanced by the crackling sound of burning logs to your landscape. You can install it in a properly ventilated location with reinforced concrete 4–6 inches thick, build the chimney with wood, stone, or metal, and add a chimney cap to prevent dirt. Test it properly before using it; it takes 5–10 days to start functioning in your outdoor space. The chimney provides adequate smoke ventilation, lowering inside smoke accumulation by 90% when properly maintained, while spark screens reduce fire dangers by 80%. A wood-burning fireplace with a chimney enhances the overall visual appeal and gives your landscape a more modern look.

Outdoor Fireplace with Seating Area

An outdoor fireplace with a seating area promotes family bonding and offers the best setting for outdoor enjoyment. The sitting area can easily accommodate 4 to 8 people to flow fluidly with the fireplace, providing a fantastic gathering space. The outdoor fireplace is made from sturdy, weather-resistant materials such as stone, brick, or concrete, lasting 20 to 30 years. You can install them by laying 4–6 inches thick gravel stone or wood and build seating arrangements by adding lounge chairs, benches, or moveable seating. Give a final touch by applying stone cladding, tile, or brick to your exterior to match the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space. The outdoor fireplace with seating provides an inviting atmosphere to your garden area.

Freestanding Metal Fireplaces

Freestanding metal fireplaces offer clean and consistent fire, producing ample heat with the hassle of wood handling. They are easy to assemble and an efficient and environmentally friendly source to your landscape. Freestanding metal fireplaces are made of stainless steel or cast iron, with a 20–30-year lifespan and proper maintenance. They are easy to install; you just need a heat-resistant mat to protect the floor. Then, place the fire 36 inches away from the walls in your landscape. You can assemble the components of the fireplace and provide protective barriers. Testing the fireplace before use is essential for everyone’s safety.  Freestanding metal fireplaces offer improved safety features and reduce fire risk by 70%. They can easily fit the aesthetic of your home. 

Outdoor Fireplace with Built-In Grill

An outdoor fireplace with a built-in grill seamlessly blends with your outdoor space and gives your landscape a sleek and professional look. They are made of stainless steel, stone, or brick with a 20–30-year lifespan and proper maintenance. The outdoor fireplaces with built-in grills provide warmth to your landscape and produce heat output ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 BTUs. The built-in grill provides a cooking space of 250-500 square inches, and grills can reach up to 700°F. You can install them in a ventilation space 10 feet away from flammable structures, lay a 6-inch thick concrete slab or fire-resistant base, and add spark guards as a heat shield for additional safety. Built-in grills have advanced features such as several burners, infrared cooking, and rotisseries, allowing you to make diverse foods. An outdoor fireplace with a built-in grill is a stylish addition to your landscape. 

Minimalist Fire Feature

A minimal fire feature adds a sleek and contemporary touch to your outdoor space and provides low-cost heat. They are made up of concrete, corten steel, or tempered glass with a lifespan of 10–20 years and become the center point of your outdoor space and promote social interaction. Minimalist fire features offer compact sizes ranging from 20 to 60 inches, ideal for patios, decks, or gardens. You can install them by preparing a fire-resistant base and connecting the unit to a secure fuel source. Position them according to the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure adequate ventilation for safety. Its maintenance is minimal, with cleaning advised after 20-30 usage. They are one of the popular eco-friendly options with a perfect centerpiece to enhance the ambiance and functionality of your landscape.

Zen Garden Fireplace

A Zen garden fireplace transforms your landscape into a stunning place for tranquillity and peace. These gardens are easy to create and require minimal maintenance using stone, weather-water-resistant wood, and concrete surrounded by gravel, bamboo screens, or soothing water features. Zen garden fireplaces are small in sizes ranging from 30 to 40 inches, and use eco-friendly fuels like gas or ethanol. They are a great addition to your landscape, giving 10,000 to 40,000 BTUs of heat output and serving as a functional centrepiece. You can install them in a tranquil spot by creating a gravel, stone, or concrete base, connecting them with a fuel source, and making them more beautiful by surrounding them with raked gravel, bonsai trees, or small stone sculptures. Zen garden fireplace blends your garden area’s eco-friendliness and aesthetic appeal and gives a more stunning look to your outdoor space.

Tucson Adobe-Style Fireplace

Tucson adobe-style fireplace is an ideal option to keep your landscape cool in summer and warm in winter. These fireplaces are inspired by southwestern architecture and are famous for their smooth curves, earthy tones, and tapered chimneys. Tucson adobe-style fireplaces are made of clay, stucco, or brick and blend functionality with cultural heritage. You can install it in an area with a proper wind direction and create four-inch-thick concrete bases to support the fireplace weight. A trapped chimney can also vent smoke 2 feet above the roofline, which helps to have a secure outdoor space. Tucson adobe-style fireplace stands as a focal point in your outdoor space and has 5–7 years of longevity. 

Customizable Fire Pit

Customizable fire pits add a soothing and relaxing ambiance to afternoon parties and romantic evenings. The custom-made fire pits are made up of granite, flagstone, or river rock, adding a modern and sleek touch to your landscape. You can install it on a stable surface by adding a layer of sand or gravel for drainage, and it also ensures safety while planning for your preferred fire pit. They come in various shapes, including oval, L-shaped, or free-form artistic expression, with a lifespan of 50–70 years. Customizable fire pits give your landscape a unique and stylish look and provide countless hours of enjoyment and relaxation. 

About The Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *