Best Outdoor Fireplace Design Ideas

For cozy warmth on cold days and cool summer nights, an outdoor fireplace is a favorite in any household. While a simple architectural addition, a fireside atmosphere offers a truly fascinating experience. You can use it to create a certain mood for your outdoor space or simply just to add a stunning feature that is sure to turn heads. You can go for a functional fireplace, one that is purely stylish, or something in between.

Outdoor patio with wooden chairs and table, stone fireplace, pool in background, surrounded by greenery

The tantalizing dance of the flames creates the perfect dreamy escape, building upon an evening of romance.

Our stomachs growl with delight at the sight of hot, bubbling marshmallows pressed against melted bars of chocolate and gram crackers. Of course, there’s also freshly cooked steaming popcorn and fire-grilled charred steak too if you’re up for the challenge of cooking outdoors.

Outdoor patio with lit stone fireplace, cozy seating, lanterns, and pergola at dusk

In reality, admiring the beauty of fire comes naturally. After all, we’ve been doing so ever since the day mankind first discovered it.

Cozy outdoor patio with a fire pit and view into a warmly lit living room through large open doors

Here we’re going to look at some brilliant ideas that will inspire you to turn your drab and cold outdoor space into something very special. We’ll quickly take a look at what your options are for materials and fuel before seeing some design inspiration. Let’s get started!

Materials

One of the first steps you need to take before choosing an outdoor fireplace is whether or not it should be stone or metal. Here we take a look at the pros and cons of each option.

Stone

This is the more common type of outdoor fireplace as they are generally safer, can be built bigger and people love the aesthetics of natural stone. A stone fireplace can be very solidly built to give you that homely campsite feel.

Metal

The other main option for an outdoor fire is metal. The likes of stainless steel can look visually stunning and give a torch appearance. These are usually less functional than using a stone veneer but can be more visually striking for your outdoor area.

Modern house with large windows overlooking a circular outdoor fire pit surrounded by white seating at dusk

Heat source

Along with materials, you should also think about how the fire is going to be powered. Your main options are either propane or wood.

Propane

Outdoor patio with a modern fireplace, wooden chairs, and a table, surrounded by greenery and trees

Propane is going to be the cleanest and easiest way to run an outdoor fireplace. All you need to do is flick it on and you get that continuous heat with no maintenance.

Modern patio with metal chairs around a fireplace, surrounded by greenery and a dark wood-paneled building

The biggest downside is that they are usually more expensive to install as you will need the gas lines and safety features.

Modern poolside with two loungers and a long, narrow fireplace on a patio surrounded by greenery

Wood

Dream of toasting marshmallows over the embers of your cinder blocks? Well, for experience, nothing beats a wood fire. While they are cheaper to install, you do get the maintenance needed with wood collection and cleaning. You also can’t just switch them off.

Cozy patio with wicker furniture, lit fireplace, and ambient lighting at dusk next to a small pool

For some, they are more than prepared to deal with that as they love the firepit style. Wood fires also generate more heat.

Outdoor stone fireplace on a terrace with wooden pergola and forest view

Fireplace mantel design ideas

So, you’ve decided what type of fireplace you want. Now let’s have a look at how you can revolutionize your outdoor space.

Outdoor living room

A fire pit is the ultimate in outdoor living. Having an outdoor living space can be a stunning addition to any home. There are not many better feelings than chilling in an outdoor living area with a roaring fire. You can have all your regular comforts with an outdoor living room and escape from the world.

Cozy patio with a fireplace, outdoor seating, and dining area next to a well-lit indoor living space at dusk

Cozy porch with wicker furniture, a fireplace, candles, and a ceiling fan, overlooking a wooded area at dusk

Cozy outdoor patio at night with stone fireplace, wooden pergola, and comfortable wicker furniture

Cozy living room with a lit fireplace, seating, a large globe light, and a view of a pool outside

Stunning chimney

Having an outdoor chimney will draw the eyes and awe of anyone who visits your home. Having such a large masonry structure also helps to make a fire very safe and easy to use. An alternative is to have a smaller chiminea, which is a great alternative if you’re on a budget.

Cozy outdoor patio with stone fireplace, seating area, and ocean view at dusk

Outdoor stone fireplace with lit fire, surrounded by patio seating and a built-in grill nearby

Modern glass house with a lit fireplace, patio, and pool at sunset

Outdoor patio with a lit fireplace, surrounded by wicker chairs and cushions, beside a white house

Chill out zone

Another great reason to have one of these outdoor fireplaces is to have an outdoor chill out zone. These suit a wood fire with a fire brick surround. You can create an area away from your home where you can unwind with a drink and let all the stress of the day wash away.

Cozy lakeside fire pit with red chairs, surrounded by trees and stone seating, overlooking a serene lake

Cozy outdoor patio with wooden furniture, a stone fireplace, and a view of trees under a vaulted ceiling

Cozy outdoor seating area with a fireplace, wicker furniture, and overhead lighting under a pergola

Sunken fire pit

Another alternative to the chill out fireplace design is to have a sunken fire pit. Walking down into the outdoor space gives it a dramatic feel. You can have the freestanding outdoor fireplace in the middle and seating all around to create something that looks very special.

Sunken stone fire pit seating area surrounded by a pool with outdoor chairs and greenery in the background

Backyard at dusk with seating area by a lit outdoor fireplace, stone path, and playground in the background

A unique shape

You can throw out traditional thinking and have a modern outdoor fireplace. Most people have a circular outdoor fireplace kit that everyone sits around. Why not opt for something a little different and have a curved fireplace surround? It’s makes for one of the most unique outdoor fireplaces.

Curved outdoor stone bench with blue pillows and a long fire pit, surrounded by greenery and a hill backdrop

Outdoor patio with a large stone fireplace, surrounded by seating and trees, overlooking a scenic view

Outdoor patio with a dining table and chairs, fire feature, and tropical plants against a twilight sky

The coffee table pit

We love the idea of a coffee table fire pit kit. This is where you have a table for drinks and plates while having the fire in the middle. It’s one of the more unique outdoor fireplaces but you can keep the fire nice and low so it’s never a safety hazard. It’s a great way to style out your patio.

Outdoor lounge with a fire pit, overlooking a marina with palm trees and lit-up city buildings at dusk

Modern rooftop patio with a marble fire pit, surrounded by a seating area, against a colorful sunset sky

Cozy patio with a fire pit, surrounded by cushioned seating, adjacent to a glass-walled modern home in a forest setting

The raised torch

This is something you could never do with an indoor fireplace. Having a torch instead of a regular outdoor gas fireplace gives a dramatic feel. It most likely needs to be a gas fireplace and wouldn’t provide that much warmth but there is no doubt that it looks incredible.

Fire pit with blue glass stones, surrounded by cushioned chairs, overlooking a lush green landscape

Outdoor patio with stone flooring, a circular fire pit, seating, and a built-in grill, surrounded by trees

Modern house with beach view, sunken fire pit seating area, and lounge chairs on a concrete patio by the pool

Subtle warmth

Who says that an outdoor fireplace design has to dominate the area? Instead, you could opt for something more subtle and have a firebox that sits to the side of your living space. It allows you to be a little different with your outdoor fireplace instead of conforming to the usual ideas.

Modern patio with people sitting around a table, surrounded by greenery and wooden architecture

A modern house with large glass windows and a landscaped patio featuring a fire pit and seating area

Modern patio with sofas, fireplace, and ambient lighting at night

Modern house exterior with large windows, stone fireplace, and surrounding greenery at dusk

Fire pit with a view

Want to have the feel of being in the wilderness without actually leaving your home? If so, a great outdoor fireplace design is to have all of your seating pointing in one direction with a beautiful view. You can have your screened porch behind you and take in nature while chilling in front of your fire. You can even have it on a wooden deck to give it a more rustic feel.

Modern outdoor living space with a lounge chair, fire pit, and ocean view under a cloudy sky at dusk

Luxurious house at night with an outdoor fire pit, pool, and city lights view

Outdoor seating area with a fire pit, near an infinity pool, and a scenic view of the landscape and sky

Poolside warmth

Do you have a pool? If so, then putting a fire pit beside it can create a wonderful contrast between fire and water. You’ll also have the benefit of having somewhere to warm up on those days where it’s a little cooler outside.

Covered patio with stone arches, infinity pool, rocking chairs, and fireplace overlooking a tranquil lake at sunset

Illuminated backyard pool with stone walls and a lit outdoor fireplace, surrounded by trees under a twilight sky

Luxurious outdoor pool area at night with a lit fireplace and lounge chairs

Poolside patio with Adirondack chairs, a lit stone fireplace, and lanterns surrounded by trees and shrubs

Outdoor room

One of the more dramatic ideas for an outdoor fireplace is a room with a roof but no walls. There is something incredibly comforting about the warmth of a fire when the rain is pouring right next to you. Having a solid outdoor stone fireplace gives you all these comforts without any fear of the fire going out.

Cozy outdoor pavilion with a stone fireplace, warm lighting, and seating, next to a pool at night

Outdoor patio with a stone fireplace, wooden ceiling, and a built-in grill next to stacked firewood

Cozy outdoor patio with a fire pit, seating area, and a hot tub at night

Visual feature

You may have no interest in having a functional outdoor fireplace, you just care about the visual impact. If so, you can create something stunning that catches everyone’s eye. Having an outdoor fire pit doesn’t just need to be about warmth.

Triangular fire pit on a patio with city lights view in the distance during dusk

Modern patio with fire features and mountain view at dusk

Modern house with large windows, an outdoor pool, a fire pit, and a giant flower sculpture in the yard

Secret seclusion

Some love the idea of showing off their fire pit to their guests, others will want something that only they use. A place to escape from anyone else and enjoy some serenity and seclusion. Due to the distance from your home, this will almost certainly be a wood burning fireplace and it can be a great place to relax.

Stone fire pit with stacked wood beside it, American flag in the background, set against a twilight sky

Outdoor seating area with a central fireplace, surrounded by trees and a cloudy sky background

Outdoor fireplace and lit pool surrounded by plants at dusk

Cozy outdoor patio with wicker furniture, a lit stone fireplace, and greenery in the background

Beat the cold weather

There’s something lovely about being outside but when the temperature drops, you may be forced inside. A great idea is to create an outdoor space where you can have a roaring fire and enjoy the outdoors in any weather. You can enjoy the heat of the fire while gazing across at snow-capped mountains.

Cozy outdoor patio with orange sofas, a fireplace, and a scenic mountain view

Rustic patio with wooden furniture, a fireplace, and a view of snowy mountains under a modern, industrial roof

Rugged patio with stone fireplace, cozy seating, and snowy mountain view under a wooden pergola

Rustic outdoor patio with wicker furniture, stone fireplace, and scenic view of lush green hills and a blue sky

Campfire experience

Many of us love the experience of camping. Being able to sit by the fire, relax, share stories and enjoy a drink. Why not recreate that experience with your outdoor fireplace? You can have the same rustic feel but instead of sleeping in a tent at the end of the night, you can go back to your cozy bed.

Cozy outdoor seating area with circular fire pit surrounded by nature and trees

Rustic cabin surrounded by trees, featuring a stone patio with a fire pit and wooden chairs

Cozy outdoor patio with a fire pit, surrounded by wooden chairs and a view of trees and a lake in the background

A modern touch

We’ve talked a lot here about a fireplace being rustic and giving you a closer connection with nature. You can throw all that out of the window and go for something much cleaner and sharper. These work perfectly in modern homes and gives your outdoor space a special look.

Modern outdoor fireplace with flames on pebbles, next to a potted fern on a small table, facing a grassy lawn

Cozy patio with chairs and a fire pit overlooking a calm lake at night, under a clear starry sky

Infinity pool overlooking a city skyline at sunset, with silhouetted trees and a palm tree

A beautiful social space

Instead of having your outdoor fireplace as somewhere to crowd around, you can instead have it as a part of a wider social space. This is perfect for those who often host a large number of guests. The fireplace can simply be a centerpiece or somewhere to warm up if people start getting a little chilly. You may also just want it as a stunning feature.

Rooftop patio with lounge seating, dining table, and city skyline view at night

Cozy indoor-outdoor stone fireplace with lit candles and surrounding rustic decor

Covered patio with a fireplace, seating area, and hanging lanterns creating a cozy outdoor space

Modern house with large glass windows, outdoor seating area, and fire pit at dusk

FAQs

Are outdoor fireplaces worth it?

We think outdoor fireplaces are a great idea. They can add a unique element to your home and give you a great place to relax or entertain guests. If you are installing a gas fireplace then it’s likely going to be quite expensive but if you have the budget for it, we think it’s well worth it.

Do outdoor fireplaces keep you warm?

Most people use outdoor fireplaces to keep warm. They are great in the summer after the sun goes down or even allow you to stay outside in the winter. They can do a great job at keeping you warm but it does depend on how they are designed. Wood fires usually burn hotter than a gas fire, so choose them if your goal is warmth. If all you care about is warmth instead of aesthetics, it’s probably the best idea to invest in infrared heaters.

What is better fireplace or firepit?

The answer to the fireplace vs fire pit debate usually comes down to personal choice. Fireplaces are generally bigger and more permanent structures. This means the requirement for more space and a bigger budget. If money or space is tight, then it’s probably best to go for a fire pit.

Can you cook in outdoor fireplace?

Generally not. They are designed for either/or warmth and style. You can toast marshmallows but they are usually not designed for proper cooking. If that’s what you’re looking for then it’s probably a better idea to invest in a high-quality BBQ or outdoor kitchen.