Jennifer Garner’s Stone Fireplace Creates a Year-Round Patio – And Shows Why Natural Materials Are the Workhorses of Outdoor Decor

Jennifer's natural patio fixtures, including her stone fireplace, wood panels, and wood dining table, make for a warming and functional space

jennifer garner at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar party
(Image credit: Getty Images - John Shearer)

While some of us have covered our patios for the winter, those of us in warmer climates keep our outdoor areas as entertaining spaces year-round. Regardless of which camp you fall into, it's never too early to plan out your outdoor oasis, and we are taking inspiration from Jennifer Garner lately.

The actor recently shared a clip from her sophisticated patio space, and we were immediately drawn to the stone fireplace, which adds texture and an element of nature to the space. It perfectly complements the wood beams and dining table, as well as the neutral furniture.

Shop the Natural Patio Edit

When plotting out your outdoor space, design experts suggest selecting a focal point, like a fireplace, and building around it for optimal impact.

'Strategically arrange furniture, greenery, and other elements to maximize space utilisation and ensure a smooth flow between indoor and outdoor areas,' states Kate Duckworth, trends and interior expert at Swift Direct Blinds. 'Consider positioning seating areas and dining spaces near doors leading out onto the outdoor space to create a smooth transition between the interior and exterior of your home. Incorporate focal points, such as water features, fireplaces, or garden sculptures, to enhance the ambience. Additionally, add pathways to allow easy movement throughout the space.'

Jennifer's patio is a fantastic example of this, with the fireplace doubling as a TV mount, situated near the sofas for a cozy seating area. To achieve the natural look, we love this wood coffee table from Wayfair, as well as this wicker patio bench from Target. It's never too early to think about our spring/summer patio, and Jennifer Garner proves it.

Hannah Ziegler
News Editor

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivaled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.