Outdoor fireplace ideas – 13 ways to warm up your garden with a cozy design

While many of us mostly enjoy our outdoor spaces when the weather is a its best, the beauty of outdoor fireplace ideas is how they can change a space from seasonal, to all year round. An outdoor seating arrangement with a fireplace at its center is the perfect place of refuge during the warmer and colder months.

A zoned seating area is just what any backyard needs, providing you with the ultimate comfort and coziness that's appreciated from month to month. In the summer, you have a spot to elongate the evenings as the sun goes down and the temperature gets cooler, and in the winter, you create an outdoor living room to enjoy s'mores and hot chocolate. As well as warmth, outdoor fireplaces bring ambiance and festivity, acting as the perfect vessel for seasonal treats.

Whether you prefer a simple open fire with a grill or you're looking for the ultimate entertaining spot that features a statement hearth, these diverse outdoor fireplace ideas will guide and inspire your garden design.

1. Opt for a outdoor fireplace firepit combination

Fire pits are a very popular choice for outdoor fireplace ideas that create atmosphere, but you can get designs that fall somewhere between a fire pit and a fireplace. They require more maintenance, as you have to source the wood, then continually tend to the fire to keep it going, and clean it out afterwards. However, fire pits and chimineas are a firm favorite.

A fire pit or chiminea may sometimes be trickier to ignite than other heating options, especially on a windy day. Also, you’ll have less control over the level of heat than you would with something you can easily turn down or put on a specific temperature setting. But for many, the look and feel of a wood fire makes the trade-offs worth it.

2. Create the ideal movie night set up

For the ultimate, snug set-up, create room for an outdoor screen or TV that can be utilized during the warmer months, allowing for al fresco watching and lounging with friends and family.

Once comfortable outdoor seating ideas have been sorted (a sturdy bench and set of plush armchairs is a good place to start), consider where a TV would best be placed in the area. Gray Walker has utilized the space above the fireplace (pictured above) and created a seating zone around the area, allowing guests and family members to relax by the fire whilst watching their favorite film or show.

3. Make your outdoor hearth as comfortable as indoors

It's important to consider outdoor seating ideas to go alongside your fireplace, as you'll undoubtedly want to sit and enjoy the feature as much as you can. No matter your interior design style, there are plenty of seating types and styles out there, making designing your outdoor lounge area enjoyable and easy.

However, always opt for seating with cushions, like the sofa (pictured above), so they can be added when you want to sit outside and removed and stored away when the weather turns. Cushion seating will ensure you're comfortable and you can take in the fire without fuss or discomfort.

4. Embrace indoor-outdoor living

If you aren’t tied by budget constraints – and want embrace the enviable indoor-outdoor living of the sunniest climates – then an outdoor fireplace suspended on a pivoting hearth is the way to go. If you're wondering 'how do I add luxury to my backyard?' then this is a perfect way.

Perfect for wide open spaces, preferably with panoramic views of the coastline, this outdoor fireplace really is a status symbol that will last for years to come. So take inspiration from these garden bar ideas and prepare to be the host with the most.

5. Introduce a pergola for ambiance

Not only are pergola ideas practical, shielding you from the weather, but they also make a simple setup of a dining table and chairs feel intentional and inviting. A pergola is a welcome addition to sit beside or above an outdoor fireplace, acting as a way to shield your fire or as a separate area for guests to sit in instead of lounging by the hearth.

'If you are going to take the trouble to introduce a backyard fireplace, it really is worth investing as much effort into the decor and furnishings, creating a space that's as beautifully adorned as a living room might be, and as comfortable as possible. This may mean you have to cover the seating space with pergola roof ideas to protect you from either rain or, hopefully, sunshine,' says Jennifer Ebert, Editor (Digital), Homes & Gardens.

6. Invest in a built-in fireplace

Don’t let the sunset send you indoors. Turn up the heat with a wall fire, set at seating height for optimum use. Take inspiration from outdoor living room ideas and add cozy outdoor furniture, like in the picture above. This will allow you to use your garden for longer, as well as creating a striking focal point.

If you need to create shade, a simple timber pergola will provide shade in summer, but won’t take away light in winter. Alternatively, look for a clever roof system with louvres similar to those on plantation shutters, which can be opened and closed to filter light or shut completely to protect you from the harsher elements.

7. Go for a more contemporary, bohemian look

While outdoor fireplace ideas can lend themselves to a more traditional setting, the beauty of this design feature is its versatility, blending into any backyard, patio, or porch.

Don't be put off if your backyard isn't a formal garden design, as this space (pictured above) proves that even the most minimal schemes would appreciate an outdoor fireplace. The designer, Lindsay Rhodes, says, 'We aimed to create a sleeker, more modern vibe for the outdoor fireplace area – clean lines, minimal detailing, but it was just as important that it felt cohesive with the home’s traditional exterior. The result is a space that feels fresh and current, yet still connected to the classic charm of the architecture.'

Opt for the best outdoor furniture, such as rattan loungers or a rattan dining set, followed by coastal-inspired striped cushions. These will give your scheme some modern elegance that will endure year on year.

8. Install a fireplace in a garden 'room'

Building an extra room with a view of the garden is now a growing trend. With the current vogue for open-plan, multi-purpose family rooms that combine a mix of kitchen, dining and living spaces, garden rooms fit the bill perfectly, especially if they feature any outdoor fireplace design ideas.

When planning a garden room, think carefully about how you’d like to use the space. If you plan to entertain, or simply revel in your garden after sundown, then an outdoor fireplace could be the answer to those chilly evenings.

If you are building your garden room from new, have your builder section off a small area designed for log burning. If you are after a more modern aesthetic, paint the surrounding wall in a bold color.

9. Fix an outdoor fireplace into the backyard wall

If floor space is at a premium and you are looking for small backyard ideas, a built-in wall fire is the ultimate outdoor fireplace option. Position it close to your seating area to benefit from its warmth and alluring embers all evening.

Introducing a chimney wall and mantel will bring a real sense of an outdoor living room to a backyard and this one also adds color and a place to display decorative pieces.

Fairly easy to construct with rendered block work, it offers a permanent and sheltered fireside experience, and can be repainted when you want an update. It also provides an additional warm as the surface is heated by the fire, radiating outwards to create a cozy corner.

10. Introduce a brazier for summer 

Don’t want to commit to a permanent fixture? A portable fireplace – or brazier – has the advantage of being easy to move.

Opt for one that is light, or, even better, on rollers with a brake for fixing in position, so it can be quickly repositioned wherever you want. What's more, this one from Focus – the market-leaders in fireplaces – features a removable grill for a spot of fuss-free dining once the sun goes down.

As with all outdoor fireplace ideas, do pay close attention to where portable fireplaces are placed, making sure they aren't on flammable surfaces.

11. Create a cozy campfire setting

The cozy garden equivalent of a campfire, outdoor fireplaces are increasingly popular in outdoor dining ideas for those who wish to prolong their al fresco evenings. Many garden designers are being asked to include them in hang-out zones for families with teenagers.

There are lots of options for adding heat, from bespoke fireplaces and contemporary fire tables fuelled by bioethanol and LPG, to more traditional wood-burning fire pit ideas and bowls.

12. Prioritize views over anything else

If you're lucky enough to have a terrace, porch, or patio that overlooks beautiful scenery, make sure your fireplace and seating are arranged sympathetically so you can take in the views in all their glory.

Take this stunning outdoor seating arrangement designed by Crisp Architects, the designer has used interior design zoning by creating a comfortable lounge area beside the fireplace and another area for dining, opting for bar stools and a high table that allow the user to gaze at the landscape.

The setting is grand yet comfortable. The antique-style pendant lights tie in with the grand fireplace, creating an elevated and luxurious feel that welcomes guests and encourages ultimate relaxation and enjoyment.

13. Create a grand portico

A portico is typically featured on more traditional homes, usually identifiable by distinct columns that hold the extended roof attached to the property. A grand feature, portico-style porches (like this one) are the best places for an outdoor fireplace as they make the arrangement feel cozy, welcoming, and ultimately impressive to visitors.

Adding curb appeal to your property, a portico could add value to your home, and if you've fitted an outdoor fireplace to go alongside it, your house will stand out amongst your neighbours and feel enticing when (or if) you come to sell.

Crisp Architects have designed this enviable outdoor fireplace set-up, creating a centerpiece out of the heart by opting for a traditional stone material that nods to the traditional chalet style. Decorated with alpine decor and comfy loungers, this portico is a shining example of outdoor fireplace ideas at their best.

What type of outdoor fireplace is best?

The latest tech makes it easy to create a relaxed vibe in your backyard. At the flick of a switch you can have lights, music and a fire to set the scene. ‘With the trend for making outdoor spaces an extension of the home showing no sign of slowing down, we expect to see even more demand for creative heating and lighting solutions this summer,’ says Kettler MD Paul Bevington.

In terms of materials, stainless steel is easy to clean and rain and rust-resistant, but can be expensive, so factor this in to your total outdoor kitchen cost. Steel is less expensive but more prone to rusting, unless it’s powder-coated or covered in an anti-corrosion paint.

Corten steel is an excellent option – otherwise know as weathering steel, it forms a stable, rusted orange appearance over time and looks beautiful when contrasted with a wall in dark gray or navy. Stone and cast iron are robust but hefty to move, so it’s worth investing in a protective cover if you leave it out all year.

Shop these timeless firepits for a less costly alternative

Outdoor seating picks for lounging all year round

Are outdoor fireplaces worth it?

We asked the H&G team if an outdoor fireplace was worth it, and we were met with a resounding 'yes'. The best outdoor fireplace ideas will allow you to use an external space for longer into the evening, and create a fabulous focal point.

Go all-out with a built-in fireplace complete with hearth, or choose a simple and inexpensive off-the-shelf fire pit, gel fire or a fire fuelled by bioethanol.

Not only do the latest designs a touch of contemporary flair to your backyard, they're a real design feature – and can be adapted to suit any space, no matter your style.

Are outdoor fireplaces safe?

It is imperative that you check your local government sites for codes and laws regarding burning wood in your region.

You can also take a look at regulations.gov or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Burn Wise site for updated information on burn laws.

These outdoor fireplace ideas are designed for any garden, no matter how small. Whether working with a small patio or a large porch, an outdoor fireplace can provide instant drama and coziness, perfect for families or homeowners who love to host.

Low-maintenance backyard ideas are a good place to start if you want to elevate your garden with easily achievable designs that won't cost a fortune and create just as much impact.