With the growing popularity of entertaining outdoor spaces every day, adding an outdoor patio fireplace is on the minds of many homeowners. Outdoor fireplaces can add warmth to a chilly night, bring a touch of romance, and become the focal point for toasting marshmallows or making s’mores and pizzas. A permanent outdoor fireplace can also be a good investment for your home.

You can also choose to have it crafted from concrete. Concrete fireplaces can be made in many different shapes, and stone can also be incorporated into the design. You can have a rustic look or a smooth appearance reminiscent of a farmhouse.

A classic fireplace with a chimney is also possible. This style looks especially good when covered by a patio roof or a classic gazebo. A classic fireplace appearance can imitate Mexican architecture or European castles. Wood storage can be built directly, or shelves can be included for a sound system or decorative items. Tiles and concrete coloring or patterning can also be incorporated.

Outdoor Patio Fireplace Ideas
A fireplace can make any outdoor space more inviting, adding light, sound, scent, and warmth. They extend the use of your backyard patio, gazebo, or terrace in spring and fall. Some can even be used for grilling or as an outdoor oven.

With their popularity also come the many choices you have to make before buying or building an outdoor fireplace. As in any backyard project, the first question to ask is:

What do I want the fireplace to accomplish?
Do you want it to provide heat and be capable of cooking, or is it simply for you to enjoy the sight and sound of a crackling fire?

Outdoor fireplaces are becoming a very popular addition to the backyard, from portable fire pits to fully built stone fireplaces.

Outdoor Patio Fireplace Ideas
Safety Tips
Although these safety tips may seem like common sense, it’s always good to have a reminder.

Always keep a fire extinguisher on hand whenever burning anything.
Watch children and pets around a hot fire to prevent injuries.
Never leave a fire unattended. Never.
Don’t touch the outside of a fire pit when it’s in use.
Don’t use water to put out a fire in your fire pit.
Don’t place your fire pit on a flammable surface, such as wood.
Always check the surroundings before starting a fire to avoid fire hazards.

Woods for Burning in the Fire Pit or Fireplace:

Cedar is very aromatic when burned and also has the added benefit of keeping mosquitoes away. Cedar tends to pop when burning, so make sure to have a fire pit with a securely fitted screen in place.

Mesquite burns very hot, so it’s best to use only a piece or two along with other types of wood. It’s good wood to add to barbecues for flavor.

Pinyon pine is probably the most common wood used in outdoor fire pits. It smells good and helps keep mosquitoes away from your entertainment area.
Hickory is also good for barbecuing. It also smells great in the fire pit. For best results, use well-seasoned hickory for burning.

Fruitwoods like apples, pear, and so on smell wonderful in the fire pit. They can be hard to come by unless you have some fruit trees. Then you can always use trimmings in your fire pit.

If you have some cut lumber around, most of the time it will be fine in a fire pit. Dry pine and fir burn very hot and fast, so break them into small pieces and use them for kindling.

Any green (unseasoned) or damp wood will tend to produce a lot of smoke. This can be annoying for you and any nearby neighbors. It’s best to store your wood in a place where it can stay dry.

Patio Fire Pits
Custom fire pit designs provide a permanent in-ground fire pit. These pits start as holes dug in the ground and are then lined with small stone walls that extend above the ground. Bricks or stones insulate the fire from the ground and block the wind. This simple design allows you to build a basic fire pit in the backyard but also gives you a place to set up a grill for some skewers. This type of fire pit can be the focal point of a patio, with built-in seating in a circle around the pit. Consider the costs of each type of brick before purchasing it for the construction of the fire pit; in some cases, two types of bricks can be bought for the construction of the fire pit. The less expensive decorative brick can be used where structural integrity or heat retention is not needed, while more expensive bricks for specific purposes can be purchased for heat retention or structural support.