16 Outdoor Fireplace Ideas That Will Add Cozy Warmth to Any Backyard
It's time to turn up the heat.
There's something mesmerizing and soothing about sitting by a roaring fire in a serene setting. The flaming reds, oranges, and yellows exude a warmth and ambiance that invite you to slow down and simply be in the company of good friends or a good book. The more you get lost in the moment fireside, the deeper conversation goes and the more you forget the worries of life. Here we give you our favorite outdoor fireplace ideas to create a setting for just that experience.
As you design just the right back patio style to usher in relaxation or craft an idyllic outdoor room for alfresco gatherings at home, be sure to think through the best position for a brick or stone outdoor fireplace. Whether you choose to have a small fire pit for casual s'mores-making or a grand outdoor fireplace as a dramatic focal point, these cozy spaces will help bring people together to make lasting memories. Whether you prefer a modern or traditional design, we have plenty of images to inspire you.
As the weather cools down, you can flawlessly transition your outdoor spaces into a cozy seating area that blends in with the landscape around it and begs you to spend chilly nights by a fire. Now time for a visual dreams to inspire your outdoor fireplace reality.
Montana Mountain Terrace Fireplace
The scenic, fire-heated terrace designed by Suzanne Tucker at a family getaway at Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana, can be enclosed for warmth or left open to the mountain air. Seating, Janus et Cie. Coffee table, Mecox
Coastal Living Fireplace
Designer Mary McDonald wanted to ensure the outdoor terrace of this Pebble Beach home kept the attention on the incredible cliffside vistas. The low-profile, stone firepit and Janus et Cie sofas provide a warm spot to watch the waves crash into shore while enjoying a cocktail.
Historic Nashville Fire Pit
In his renovation of this Nashville mansion, designer Richard Hallberg turned his attention to one-and-a-half acre grounds to create seven new garden courtyards and terraces. Family dinners by the fire are served at a French limestone table with a shapely urn base by Formations.
Artisanal Fireplace
One of the main reasons Jeffry Weisman and Andrew Fisher were drawn to this San Miguel de Allende manse was its innate connection to the outdoors. Here, large rope chandeliers and a roaring fire illuminate an outdoor living room overlooking the jacarandas-filled courtyard.
California Courtyard Fire Pit
Landscape designer Scott Shrader designed a series of distinctive garden rooms throughout this Santa Monica property for a family who loves to entertain. In the inner courtyard surround a 13th-century well reclaimed as a firepit, marking it as a place to relax before and after dinner.
Lakeside Lodge Fireplace
At this Lake Toxaway home designed by Platt Architects and Cliff Fong, a covered terrace is anchored by a large fireplace and stone hearth. A pair of Vladimir Kagan swivel chairs makes for cozy seating. Upholstery fabric, Pierre Frey. Mantel artwork, Nobuo Sekine
Polished Poolhouse Fireplace
The poolhouse at this Newport Beach, California, home, designed by Peter Dunham, features a large fireplace for cozy gatherings after swimming and on cool evenings. Tiles inset into the blue walls are a custom color from The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company.
California Dreaming Fireplace
At this Palm Springs, California, retreat designed by John Saladino, a massive stone fireplace built into the walls of the home establishes a focal point and a comfortable gathering space, no matter how much the temperature drops.
Monumental Firepit
When exterior designer Scott Shrader took on the revival of this 1920s Hollywood garden, he wanted "a walk through the grounds [to feel] as though this was all planned 90 years ago." This stone firepit was formerly a water well. The sculpture behind the bench is a circular stone feed trough with a steel base. Furniture, Arras.
Classical Cottage Fireplace
Crisp, white paint serves as a charmingly traditional backdrop for a stone patio fireplace at designer Philip Mitchell's 18th-century cottage on the coast of Nova Scotia. Beach Stone, Shaw Brick. Coffee table and sofa, Pottery Barn.
Palm Beach Pergola Fireplace
The color of the sea and sky makes for a pitch-perfect tile accent color around the outdoor fireplace at this Florida escape for clients of designer Phoebe Howard. The guest room is connected to the pool area and lawn by a sky-high pergola crowned with McKinnon and Harris chairs. Ottoman, Made Goods.
Mountainside Poolhouse Fireplace
Scott Shrader teamed up with architect Jesse Castaneda to create this poolside addition to a Malibu aerie, complete with a fireplace design and color palette that harken to the Mediterranean. An exposed wood mantel complements the natural tones of the tiled roof and pulls nature inside. The stone coffee table is antique.
Moroccan Curved Outdoor Fireplace
Designer Emily Summers and architect Marc Appleton embraced intricate details and sloping lines with the design of this Dallas entry courtyard. Gentle curves along the fireplace's edges harken to Morocco. The fireplace tiles are by Exquisite Surfaces.
Courtyard Oasis Fireplace
Designer David Kleinberg tucked an outdoor fireplace onto the sheltered eating area of this quietly opulent Spanish Colonial–style paradise. The interior courtyard is surrounded by hot-pink blooming bougainvillea. Chaise lounges, Brown Jordan.
Naturally Muted Fire Pit
Exterior designer Scott Shrader embraced a moody and muted color palette with this Malibu outdoor living area. Built-in seating surrounds a concrete fire pit. The vertical lines around the perimeter of the fire pit draw the eye toward the swooping canopy above. Lounge chairs, Strada. Furniture, Janus et Cie.
Mountainside Splendor Fire Table
Bronze and steel meld into a chic fire table at the expansive overlook of this mountainside retreat with interior design by Victoria Hagan. The clean lines of the fire table pair with the glass perimeter of the balcony, offering unencumbered views of the Aspen scenery. "At any point, you can stop for a moment," Hagan says, "and enjoy the breathtaking view." Outdoor sofa and love seat, Donghia fabric, Sutherland.
Sarah DiMarco is the Assistant Editor at VERANDA, covering all things art, design, and travel, and she also manages social media for the brand.
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