With outdoor fireplace ideas, you will get a bespoke, permanent look that can't be achieved with a fire pit or fire bowl.
Though pricier than the aforementioned, you might feel it's worth seeing whether you could factor one of these options into your next garden landscaping, extension or self-build project.
"For many people, an outdoor fireplace will complete their outdoor entertaining area. In the UK, the ability to heat an outdoor space and create that special ambience with fire can be very important," says Tony Young, creative director of bespoke outdoor fireplace company Urban Outdoors.
8 outdoor fireplace ideas to inspire your next project
Davinder Sangha, Digital Marketing Manager, Schiedel UK explains that an outdoor fireplace can provide a focal point for friends and family to gather around.
"When added to your garden design they instantly add value to your home, and that's also in a non-financial way, in that you spend more time utilising your outdoor space," says Davinder.
Tony Young
Having been at the forefront of the industry since 2010, our URBAN outdoor fireplaces, luxury CUBIC outdoor kitchens and IKON bioclimatic pergolas are designed to transform the way we live outdoors.
1. Install a fireplace under a covered patio
An outdoor fireplace under verandas or covered outdoor spaces will certainly extend your hours of enjoyment to include poor-weather days, and by doing so appear to increase the square footage of your ground floor 365 days a year.
However, Tony Young explains that you should be aware of the safety implications of having an open fire under a roof.
"There are important installation regulations, but gas fireplaces ideas have many built-in safety features for use indoors. With log burning stoves, there can be many drawbacks including use in smoke-controlled areas and the need for a chimney in certain cases," says Tony.
The advice therefore is to consult an expert if you're considering installing an outdoor fireplace under a roof or canopy.
Urban Outdoor's client wanted to build a small masonry enclosure for their fireplace to suit their covered outdoor entertaining area(Image credit: Urban Outdoor Living LLP)
Shop outdoor fireplaces
Buschbeck Venezia Masonry Barbecue
A masonry BBQ can act as an outdoor fireplace as well as being suitable for cooking food on. The design is classic and traditional yet the white shade gives it a clean and contemporary feel.
Stonehurst Steel Outdoor Log Burner
For an easy-to-install and reasonably priced option opt for this fireplace-style log-burner from Dunelm. They built in log store at the base is stylish as well as practical.
Gajijens 185.5Cm H Natural Volcanic Pumice Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace
You can paint and render this model to suit your own garden style. It's size will bring instant impact to a sturdy patio. But its footprint is small enough to work in a tight space.
2. Incorporate a log-burning fireplace into an outdoor kitchen
When fitted alongside worktops and storage areas, outdoor fireplaces can become part of a complete outdoor kitchen.
Generally, the more functions you can get from one investment the more cost-effective your investment is. This option will give you warmth, garden lighting and atmosphere like other outdoor fireplace ideas, with the added bonus of being able to cook on too.
Bear in mind that there's more work and maintenance involved in log-burning fireplaces. Gas options are easy to light and clean burning, and Tony Young explains that there will be ashes and dust to clear when you're burning wood, as well as the flames being smoky, particularly in windy conditions.
Davinder Sangha Digital Marketing Manager, Schiedel UK. Their products are designed to be sustainable and promote positive emotions and wellbeing, with focuses on ‘cosiness’ and ‘comfort’.
3. Blend your fireplace into your existing outdoor scheme
For Tony Young, it's all about ensuring that you match your fireplace design with the rest of your garden and patio.
"Typically, an outdoor fireplace will be installed when the garden is having a makeover. However, a bespoke outdoor fireplace can be produced to blend or contrast with an existing garden scheme," says Tony.
Materials for traditional-looking outdoor fireplace ideas include stone and brick.
Your outdoor fireplace should be in keeping with the rest of your garden design(Image credit: Urban Outdoor Living LLP)
4. Couple it with an outdoor screen
Whether it's for watching a summer of sport outdoors, or a romantic movie night at home, consider incorporating a screen into the wall of your outdoor fireplace.
This model designed and fitted by Tony Young is fully bespoke. It was clad in travertine marble by the landscaper and has a weatherproof TV sitting above the gas-burning fire.
You might be surprised by the many ways you can incorporate outdoor fireplace ideas into your landscaping, therefore it's worth talking to an expert about your vision and whether it can be achieved.
Bespoke designs are part of the appeal of an outdoor fireplace(Image credit: Urban Outdoor Living LLP)
Shop outdoor TVs
SYLVOX 43” Outdoor TV, 4K UHD Smart Outdoor Television 2000 nits High Brightness, IP55 Waterproof TV with Chromecast, Voice Assistant, Android Outside TV for Full Sun (Pool Pro Series)
This smart TV is designed for outdoor use in all weathers. It is waterproof, as well as having adjustable brightness and glare settings, the built in speakers allow excellent outdoor sound too.
65" The Terrace QLED 4K HDR Smart Outdoor TV (2021)
A TV that was made to live outdoors whilst delivering the same viewing quality and experience as an indoor TV. It has an anti glare screen and you won't get any reflection on the surface either.
KUVASION 65 Inches Sun Readable Smart Outdoor TV, Waterproof Outdoor Television 4K UHD HDR, High Brightness 2000 Nits Outdoor TV, RJ45, WIFI, DVB-T2S2, CI+, Optical Out, HDMIx3 (65 Inches)
This wide screen outdoor smart TV is 65 inches with a screen which can adapt to the different light levels outdoors. It's also waterproof and can be hooked up to its own soundbar.
5. Consider an indoor/outdoor fireplace
If you're currently undergoing a self-build project or an extension, consider incorporating a fireplace into your landscaping costs, which can be enjoyed from inside the home as well as out. An option which covers you in both areas will be a smart investment as you could say it kills two birds with one stone.
This clever example of a see-through vertical outdoor fireplace from Urban Outdoors can be fitted into an exterior wall making it visible from both sides. With different decorative options for your fuel bed, this model can also be part of your smart home tech controlled via your smartphone.
For a true indoor/outdoor look, have one fireplace for both areas(Image credit: Urban Outdoor Living LLP)
6. Go for a sleek, modern design
Whilst wood-burning firepits and iron-cast firebowls conjure up rustic feelings, Tony Young assures us that it's possible to have the cleaner and more contemporary aesthetic for your outdoor fireplace that many homeowners prefer, with modern materials to create a minimalist look.
"Many garden designers are producing fabulous futuristic landscapes," says Tony. "Choose a widescreen design of fireplace for modern garden ideas if you don’t want to go out of date quickly."
To future-proof your investment even more, Tony recommends opting for a gas or bioethanol-fueled outdoor fireplace. "With these options, you can control them via remote control or tap the screen on your smartphone or tablet, or even ask Google or Alexa to access your home automation," says Tony.
An outdoor fireplace can be made to look traditional or contemporary depending on your taste(Image credit: Urban Outdoor Living LLP)
7. Elevate a patio with a statement fireplace wall
"Try creating a focal point by installing the fireplace on a well-designed patio," says Oli Webb, Director, Cullifords. "For optimum safety, make sure to position it on a non-combustible surface, such as stone, concrete or brick."
“Natural stones, such as marble, granite and limestone, are great materials to use when designing an outdoor fireplace, both for their aesthetic qualities but also due to their resistance to heat."
"They are susceptible to weathering when exposed to outdoor elements and with regular maintenance an outdoor fireplace can last for many years," says Oli.
(Image credit: Clare Lloyd Davies)
8. Transform a tiny garden into a useable outdoor living room
(Image credit: Urban Outdoor Living LLP)
Outdoor fireplace ideas can come in many different sizes, depending on your needs. compact gas options are ideal for small garden ideas. Maximise your area by incorporating built-in seating around your fireplace.
Keeping your design simple with the consistency of colour and materials will create a sense of harmony and balance rather than a cluttered amalgam, which makes your small space feel cramped.
Outdoor lighting as well as the outdoor fireplace will give maximum ambience as well as creating a useable space.
FAQs
Does an outdoor fireplace need a foundation?
"You’ll also need to ensure you place your outdoor fireplace on solid, level ground. Some outdoor fireplaces can weigh north of 950kg, so they are exceptionally heavy and will need to sit on a solid concrete base,” Joanna Humphreys, Fire and Stove Specialist at Direct Stoves.
"The majority of outdoor fireplaces are load-bearing and therefore can be independent of other structures (i.e. they don’t need to be placed against a garden wall). However, many people do choose to place their outdoor fireplaces against a wall."
"Before doing so though, you must give this some serious thought. For example, it’s not recommended that you place an outdoor fireplace against the wall of your home as this is a fire risk."
"Equally, we’d recommend checking with your local authority before you place an outdoor fireplace against any of your boundary walls. After all, you don’t want to A) fall foul of planning laws and B) annoy your neighbours," says Joanna Humphries.
Designing your garden in tandem with a home renovating project can be a sensible move, so you can factor in outdoor living items such an exterior fireplace.
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Teresa was part of a team that launched Easy Gardens in 2018 and worked as the Editor on this magazine. She has extensive experience writing and editing content on gardens and landscaping on brands such as Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and Living Etc magazine. She has developed close working relationships with top landscape architects and leading industry experts, and has been exposed to an array of rich content and expertise.
In 2020 Teresa bought her first home. She and her partner worked alongside architects and builders to transform the downstairs area of her two bedroom Victorian house in north London into a usable space for her family. Along the way she learned the stresses, woes and joys of home renovation, and is now looking to her next project, landscaping the back garden.
