When designing the ultimate patio space or outdoor room for your property, it’s important to keep comfort in mind. Few additions to your landscaping will go further to maximize the time you spend outdoors than an outdoor fireplace. These permanent structures are a wonderful way to provide warmth on chilly evenings, and they can make your patio so cozy that you can enjoy fresh air and time together outdoors for many more months of the year than you thought possible — even in central New Jersey.
Great Outdoor Fireplace Ideas for Inspiration
Not sure where to start when it comes to outdoor fireplace ideas? Try these six different looks on for size.
1. Stonework and Chandeliers
For a truly spectacular outdoor room that will turn your home into a breathtaking estate, try using fieldstone to construct a full-height fireplace and chimney. The use of stone continues into walls and archways that support a tiled ceiling. Finish with a neutral tile floor and push furniture for the ultimate in luxury.
2. Double-Sided Divider
Divide your outdoor space into two smaller, cozier sections with a double-sided fireplace that’s open on both ends. Another fieldstone fireplace, this freestanding chimney blends with the stacked stone wall and provides a bit of screening between the pool deck and flagstone patio. Built-in wood storage provides added convenience.
3. Fireplace Wall
For even more space-dividing oomph, consider connecting your outdoor fireplace to a privacy wall. This fireplace has a smooth adobe finish that contrasts with the rough stone, though you could just as easily choose to build the wall in brick or concrete. The built-in recesses provide space for candles, plants or other favorite works of art.
4. Antique Brick
This gorgeous tumbled brick fireplace looks like it has been in place forever, thanks to the texture of the masonry and the creative arched chimney. The bricks contrast nicely with the smooth, aged deck boards, while the spacious deck allows for varied furniture arrangements.
5. Built-In Seating
This large, cobblestone fireplace is wider than it is tall, which keeps its proportions in check for a smaller space. A low wall finished with smooth flagstones surround the fireplace to create a curvaceous, built-in bench for cozy seating. Ivy softens the look for a perfect blend with the outdoors.
6. Stucco and Tile
This gleaming white stucco fireplace is finished with hand-painted tiles and a copper chimney cap for some Southwestern flair. It’s the perfect addition to a pool deck for cool evenings. This one is placed at a 45-degree angle in the corner to maximize the seating area around it, which is finished in terra-cotta tile.
Outdoor Fireplace Benefits
Need a little more inspiration? Outdoor fireplaces are more than just beautiful extras that make your home more Instagram-worthy. They also provide tangible benefits for both you and your property:
- Improved Health and Happiness: Research has shown that spending more time outdoors in nature provides a major boost to both physical and mental health. If you have the perfect place to go right in your own backyard, you’re much more likely to take advantage and get all the fresh air your body and spirit crave.
- Quality Time With Family and Friends: When you have a great place to entertain, you’ll definitely do it more often. That means more time spent with your favorite people, which in turn will increase your sense of well-being and connection to others.
- Additional Living Space: As your family grows, you’ll appreciate having more places to retreat to. An outdoor fireplace turns your patio into a viable option for relaxing for at least three full seasons — and even more if you decide to host a holiday hot cocoa party to embrace the brisk air.
- Increased Property Value: Outdoor rooms are hugely popular, and smart real estate agents know that outdoor fireplaces help sell homes. Adding a permanent fireplace to your backyard will raise your home’s value, making it a great investment.
Choosing a Professional Installer
A truly great outdoor fireplace requires some engineering and construction know-how. After all, this is not as simple as popping a small chiminea onto a brick pad and calling it done. A fireplace requires sturdy masonry materials, whether you choose brick, stone or a stucco finish. You’ll also need to make sure that the firebox is appropriately built to withstand high heat and that the flu and chimney meet all local codes and create a proper draft to allow the airflow your fire needs to keep burning brightly.
Because building an outdoor fireplace is a complex task, it’s one best left to the pros. Hiring a qualified landscape designer will provide you design expertise to make sure you get the right look and all the features you need in your outdoor room. You’ll also be ensured of a high-quality construction that will stand the test of time. Working with a professional comes with the added benefit of having someone in your corner when it comes to pulling permits and dealing with inspectors — an especially arduous processing many central New Jersey jurisdictions.
When you rely on a professional landscape designer to get the job right, you can sit back and watch as all of your outdoor fireplace ideas come to life. Once the project is complete and you’re curled up in front of its cozy, golden glow, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without your outdoor fireplace in the first place.
