14 Hot Outdoor Fireplaces

Get design inspiration with these looks from around the country.

By: Lori Johnston

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Photo By: Photo courtesy of Ikaria Living

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Landscape Studio

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Stonecrest Homes

Photo By: Photo courtesy of James Glover

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Overstream

Photo By: Photo courtesy of King Landscaping

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Georgia Landscape

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Chris Martinez

Photo By: Photo courtesy of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Lennar Atlanta

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Cynthia Karegeannes

Photo By: First Team Estates, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Eric Champlin/AtlantaTrails.com

Bright New Beginnings

This home and outdoor area were remodeled to maximize its location on the fringe of a nature preserve in Massachusetts, says Mark Lawton, director of architecture and design for Ikaria Living. The backyard previously was only grass, but the homeowners now use it often, even for a recent backyard wedding. The bluestone seats are topped with ipe wood, and planters are built into the top of the seatback walls. The furniture is from Room & Board; pillows are by local artisans.

Complete the Look

Anchoring the end of a pool area with a fireplace can make a statement in an outdoor space. Landscape Studio in Atlanta designed an exposed beam pavilion with a tongue-and-groove ceiling above the stacked stone fireplace.

New Construction

A screened porch’s traditional stacked stone fireplace is set against shingled walls, mixing textures in an eye-catching way.

Cozy Corner

A stucco fireplace is inspired by the beauty of the Spanish style, with its simple, clean lines, says California designer James Glover. Traditional Spanish tiles are inset around the opening while the mantle is made of reclaimed wood. The patio also uses naturally finished flagstone.

A Chimney Runs Through It

This fireplace and cabana provide balance to the home from across the pool, says John Ogburn, a design consultant with North Carolina-based Overstream. The fireplace stone veneer uses natural rustic Ledgestone out of the Great Smoky Mountains region, with a raised stone hearth.

Rustic Appeal

Tennessee boulders – the largest weighing 1 ½ tons – add even more character to this fireplace. King Landscaping in Atlanta combined Alabama fieldstone veneer for the fireplace, rough sawn cedar for the mantle, irregular color Pennsylvania bluestone for the patio, and Crab Orchard fieldstone for the flat seating and serving areas.

Poolside Amenity

The outdoor fireplace often is just one element of the overall design. Planning out a shelter and surrounding it with pavers and plants will make the fireplace more than an afterthought.

Travel Inspiration

Denver designer Mark Haynes was inspired by a trip to Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende when tackling a previously unused space between the house and a detached artist studio. The result: Orange stucco walls and fireplace with a flagstone hearth. Custom features include an ottoman and driftwood mirror. The succulent wall softens up the space, along with the pillows.

Contemporary Terrace

A fireplace with marble surround fits snugly into a corner, leaving room for a grill, chaises and zebra print bench on a terrace at The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta. An added bonus: the container ledge.

Model Example

The view may be pretty, but don’t forget about the entertainment and seating. Make plans early in the design of your outdoor fireplace spot to add a TV over the mantle, if you or other homeowners want to watch sports, movies or even cartoons outdoors.

Made to Match

Atlanta architect Cynthia Karegeannes and the homeowner positioned the fireplace in the corner of the structure so that it would visible from the family room. The angled family room wing and its roofline had to be considered when designing the fireplace, she says. The fireplace stone –Lueders Limestone, which is quarried in Texas – blends with the existing stucco.

Modern Edge

A fireplace with clean, modern lines emphasizes the breathtaking views in this outdoor dining area.

Reflection Time

A sleek, modern fireplace is the focus of this outdoor living area, which enjoys the warmth of a fire on cool nights and the tranquile views of the reflection pool.

From: First Team Estates

Focal Fireplace

For an Atlanta home built in 1928, the massive fireplace – added later – is accessible from the porches, dining room and kitchen. Some of the planters used around the fireplace are antiques, says homeowner and designer Darden Mock (of Darden Design Group).