Gorgeous Outdoor Fireplace Ideas that Look Great All Year
An outdoor fireplace can add charm and warmth to any outdoor living space, such as a deck, sunroom, three-season porch, or screened porch. Keeping your fireplace looking great doesn’t have to be a chore. Here are our top outdoor fireplace ideas, from material to decor and everything in between!
Choose the Right Type of Fireplace
First, start by choosing a fireplace that fits well with your home’s aesthetic. When we think about fireplaces, we tend to think of the brick monstrosities common in older homes. However, although large brick hearths may fit in certain situations, some folks opt for a more modern fireplace style. Additionally, there are eclectic fireplace options, such as chimineas, as well as wood-burning stoves, fire walls and fire tables, and more. Of course, if you are looking for a traditional fireplace with a big mantle perfect for hanging your Christmas stockings or showcasing pictures of your family, that’s a great options as well.
In other words, the sky is the limit when it comes to the style and type of fireplace you choose!
If you aren’t sure what you want, don’t worry. We work one-on-one with clients to find a design that perfectly fits their style. Additionally, if you’re not sure whether you want a sunroom, three-season room, or other type of indoor/outdoor living space, we can help. We’ll go over all your options to find the best one for your budget and how you intend to use the space. We’re especially fond of sunrooms with fireplaces, but fireplaces can work well with almost any kind of new addition to your home.
You’ll also need to determine the fuel type for your new fireplace. This article breaks down the four options. We can help you make the final decision based on what works best for your budget and maintenance needs.
Use Brick, Stone, or Other Gorgeous Natural Materials
Once you’ve determined the type and style of fireplace you want, your next step is to determine the material. All fireplaces will have a heat-resistant inner wall (usually brick or stone), but the outside can have a more rustic look or can be covered/painted to give you a blank area to decorate.
If you’d like to have a deck, porch or sunroom with your fireplace, we work with a variety of materials so you can pick the look you like best. During your initial consultation, our owner Jim will talk to you about the style of deck, porch or sunroom that you’d like. Then, during the design presentation, he’ll present you with two recommendations for your new space, so you can see 3D drawings and samples of the materials. If you aren’t happy with the end result, this is where we can make changes to ensure you love every aspect of your new living space. We won’t start the construction phase until you are completely happy.
Keep in mind that the location of your new fireplace will help us narrow down the material options for your deck, sunroom or porch. For example, a deck fireplace needs to be fully weatherproof. On the other hand, a sunroom fireplace or porch fireplace will be fully or partially indoors and protected from the rain and snow, so there are different material options available.
Go for Simple But Effective Mantle Decor
If decorating isn’t your favorite thing to do, we suggest keeping it simple and allowing your fireplace to shine. One of our favorite outdoor fireplace ideas is to use plants that work in all seasons. You can even use faux plants if you don’t have a green thumb, though an outdoor space such as a sunroom is the perfect place for potted plants, since this room will receive a lot of light.
Another simple option is to keep most of the mantle decor the same throughout the year, but change one or two key pieces with the season. For instance, maybe your mantle always has some greenery and a few family photos, but during the winter you add a few paper snowflakes, during the spring you add a few tulips, and so forth.
Add a Decorative Screen to Your Fireplace
Sometimes, one of the best outdoor fireplace ideas is to keep it simple. One of the easiest ways to keep your outdoor fireplace looking great is to add a decorative screen. While the fireplace is not in use, this screen will look beautiful as well as providing a barrier for kids and pets. If you have very young children, there are also gates you can use with your fireplace. These add an even higher level of protection than a screen.
Additionally, think about the tools you’ll use for your fireplace and splurge on designs you like instead of thinking purely about function. For example, if you have a wood burning fireplace, you might want to get a beautiful wrought-iron log holder. These pieces give your fireplace a gorgeous look without much work.
FAQs about Outdoor Fireplace Ideas
We’d love to talk to you about how an outdoor fireplace might work for your home. Our team loves to answer questions so you can make the best decision possible for your new outdoor living space. Here are a few common questions we get about outdoor fireplaces.
Can I add a fireplace to an existing sunroom, porch, or deck?
Maybe! It depends on the size of your existing living space and the configuration. We can work with most people to help you design a space with a fireplace that works for your family.
What other design elements can I add to an outdoor living space?
We have experience building hot tub decks, pergolas, built-in seating, planters, and more. Our goal is to create the perfect outdoor living space for you. Click here to set up a free consultation now to learn more.