The Perfect Time for an Outdoor Fireplace: 11 Great Spaces

An outdoor fireplace does something wonderful for a backyard. It creates a destination. Usually built as the centerpiece of a patio, a fireplace can make an outdoor space feel more like an extension of the home. It draws you outside to enjoy its warmth (much like my pond draws be outside to enjoy its serene beauty). Today I’m sharing 11 beautiful outdoor fireplaces with plenty of ideas worth borrowing.

1. A Fireplace That Feels Like an Outdoor Living Room

This soaring stone fireplace gives the covered patio all the warmth and presence of an indoor living room. Comfortable upholstered furniture, lanterns and overhead string lights make it an especially inviting place to linger after dark.

 

2. A Cozy Fireplace Tucked Into the Garden

Surrounded by greenery and weathered stone, this little fireplace feels as though it has been part of the English garden for years. The wicker chairs pulled close to the fire create an intimate spot for coffee, conversation or a glass of wine on a cool evening.

 

3. Light and Airy with a White Brick Fireplace

Whitewashed brick gives this outdoor fireplace a fresh, relaxed look that beautifully complements the wicker furniture and soft green accents. The vaulted white ceiling keeps the covered space feeling bright while the fireplace provides a cozy focal point. Not to mention, with the roof overhead, you can still enjoy the fire during a gentle rain!

 

4. An Elegant Outdoor Fireplace with Indoor Style

This covered patio takes a more polished approach, with a pale brick fireplace, substantial mantel and mirror that could easily belong inside the house. Deep burgundy chairs and pillows add richness and warmth to the otherwise neutral space.

 

5. A Fireplace for a Smaller Covered Porch

You don’t need an enormous outdoor room to enjoy a fireplace. Built directly into the stone wall, this compact version adds warmth without taking up valuable floor space, leaving plenty of room for a simple seating arrangement.

 

6. Rustic Stone Meets a Breezy Porch

The large fieldstone fireplace anchors this screened or covered porch while the hanging chair keeps the space feeling casual and fun. I especially like how the soft blue ceiling adds a subtle bit of color overhead.

 

7. A Rustic Outdoor Gathering Place

Dark wood, natural stone and wicker furniture give this covered patio the relaxed feeling of a mountain retreat. The substantial outdoor fireplace is perfectly suited to the architecture and makes the entire space feel wonderfully cozy.

 

8. Clean and Contemporary

Here, a relatively small stone fireplace is paired with crisp white siding, gray wicker furniture and simple black accents. The result feels fresh and contemporary without sacrificing the warmth we want from an outdoor living space.

 

9. A Fireplace Beneath the Pergola

Positioning a fireplace beneath a pergola instantly turns an open patio into a destination within the backyard. The symmetry of the fireplace, chairs and water features (by Aquascape, Inc.) gives this garden space a pleasing sense of structure.

 

10. A Traditional Brick Fireplace

There’s something timeless about an outdoor brick fireplace, especially when it’s surrounded by mature trees and a brick patio. The mix of wicker furniture, relaxed cushions and colorful flowers keeps the setting from feeling overly formal.

 

11. A Fireplace with Rustic Character

This massive stone fireplace feels right at home against the warm wood siding and decking. Simple Adirondack-style chairs keep the focus on the beautiful masonry while creating an easygoing place to sit and enjoy the fire.

 

Outdoor Fireplace Season Is Here

An outdoor fireplace is wonderful throughout much of the year, but early fall may be when it shines brightest. It’s not so hot that the thought of a fire seems ridiculous, yet it’s not so cold that you want to retreat indoors the moment the sun goes down.

Even if a full outdoor fireplace isn’t in your plans, these spaces offer plenty of inspiration for making a patio or porch cozier for fall. Pull the chairs a little closer together, bring out a few soft throws, add lanterns or string lights, or do the obvious and create a firepit for warmth and flame. Enjoy those beautiful evenings while they last!