A patio fireplace is a beautiful way to take your backyard living spaces to the next level. However, it takes some planning to get the most out of your new feature.

Keep these tips in mind to help your vision come to life.

Create a Cozy Seating Area

A fireplace isn’t complete without people to enjoy it, and those people need somewhere to sit. To make your backyard fireside lounge feel like an extension of your living room, work with a landscape designer to build seating that’s both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

One of the most popular options is a large, round, or semi-round sofa that can fit multiple family members. The curved shape creates a cozy, inviting look that can be especially beautiful when adorned with plush outdoor cushions and throw blankets. To make your lounge even more eye-catching, try matching it to the color scheme of your deck or home. The visual continuity will help your new addition stand out and blend in at the same time.

If you don’t want to commit to a permanent seating arrangement, consider investing in some fire-resistant benches or chairs that can be moved around as needed. The flexible setup will let you accommodate your space and your family’s changing needs, and it will also ensure that everyone gets a seat close to the flame.

Another easy way to create a seating area is to use an existing structure in your yard. This could be a tree stump, a retaining wall, or an old stump that’s been cleaned up and given a coat of varnish or paint. The rustic, woodsy look will blend in nicely with your backyard and help your fire pit feel even more natural.

For a truly eye-catching statement, opt for a fire pit with an extra-tall chimney. The tall design will instantly draw the eye and help your fireplace look more like a piece of furniture than a standalone fixture.

Think About Lighting

A fireplace needs proper lighting to keep it safe and warm. Whether you’re relaxing with a glass of wine, roasting marshmallows or spending time with your kids, a well-lit area will allow you to enjoy your fire pit and the surrounding space.

Outdoor fireplaces can either be built in, like a patio or deck fire pit, or they can be portable, which gives you more flexibility in where you place it. In any case, when location scouting for your new fireplace, be sure it’s away from flammable materials, such as low-hanging branches or shrubs, and is a reasonable distance from your home. It’s also a good idea to contact your local utility company and have any buried lines marked before you start digging, so you don’t inadvertently damage anything important or put yourself in danger.

Once you’ve got a safe location and the right kind of structure for your fireplace, it’s time to start building. Depending on the type of fireplace you’re building, you’ll need a firebox to house the flames and a chimney or vents for proper ventilation. You’ll also need a concrete pad to serve as the base for your fireplace.

For a natural look, consider using stones or brick for your firebox and chimney, and for seating walls, use pavers, flagstones, or stacked cinder blocks. These building materials will complement the architectural style of your home and create a cohesive landscape design. When building your fireplace, remember to include expansion joints to accommodate movement and settling of your foundation and landscape. Ideally, these joints will be hidden by your final masonry work. To minimize or eliminate cracking, you can even form these expansion pads as you lay out the first course of blocks to hide them from view.

Add Some Texture

A backyard fireplace is the perfect focal point for social gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a small group of friends or a huge family get-together, the crackling fire can help create a welcoming ambiance that promotes mixing and mingling. Plus, you can use it to roast s’mores or tell ghost stories as a fun way to keep everyone warm!

You can build your outdoor fireplace with a variety of materials. Bricks, different types of stone, marble and even fire-resistant glass can all work. When choosing your material, consider how it will coordinate with the rest of your landscape design. For example, a stone fireplace can add rustic appeal to a country-style space, while an open-fronted letterbox style can look more modern in a sleek patio.

If you’re building a built-in fireplace, make sure to add a steel angle lintel to the top of the firebox opening. This will provide extra support for the materials that you adorn it with, and it’ll also serve as an important safety feature to keep sparks from escaping the fireplace and starting a fire on your property or in nearby trees.

Another great idea is to adorn your fireplace with pavers. Choose pavers in your favorite color or snag ones in the shape of your initials, a map of your travels or a more abstract pattern. You can also hang unique sconces above the mantel for an added decorative touch.

Before you begin construction on your outdoor fireplace, check with your local laws and homeowners’ association to see what requirements they have for your yard. You might need to stay a certain distance from your neighbor’s homes or put up a screen to prevent sparks from landing on other people’s properties and causing unwanted fires.

Go Extra-Wide

After months of hard work, your backyard has finally become the place to be. You’ve paved the perfect patio, added comfy seating, draped string lights from trees, and even planted a gorgeous garden. But what’s the one thing missing that could draw people back outside once it gets dark? An outdoor fireplace.

When crafting the fire pit of your dreams, don’t be afraid to go extra-wide. Not only will this help disperse warmth around the entire area, but it’s also sure to add visual interest. Choose from a variety of materials for your fireplace, including sleek concrete, classic brick, and shiny steel. If you’re looking for a more natural look, try using textured stones that match your existing patio furniture or home decor.

Before you start building your outdoor fireplace, make sure to check with your local municipality about zoning regulations and permits. You may be required to have a fire pit screen or other safety measures in place to keep the flames contained, and you should never leave an open fire unattended. Be sure to only burn seasoned wood that has been properly dried, and always use fire starters to get the flames going quickly. You can tell if wood is seasoned by knocking it against another piece of wood; green wood will sound dull, while mature wood has a distinctive ring.

Once you’ve built the perfect outdoor fireplace, don’t forget to snag some comfortable seating and cozy up with a rug and accessories. By following these easy outdoor fireplace tips, you’ll be well on your way to hosting a cozy night in with friends or family this summer. Just don’t forget the marshmallows!

Go Portable

Invest in an outdoor fireplace that offers the flexibility of moving it around your yard. This portable option is easy to move and uses the same propane tanks that fuel gas grills, allowing you to take it anywhere on your property. It also features a door that gives you access to the burner controls. It is an ideal choice if you want the warmth of an outdoor fire but do not have the space to accommodate a permanent installation.

Creating an outdoor fireplace is a great way to unwind with the people you love. It’s a place to share stories, relax in front of crackling flames, and spend time away from the whirlwind of technology, productivity, and packed-full schedules.

Even the simplest of outdoor fireplaces will add beauty and comfort to your deck. Consider adorning it with decorative items, like hanging art, to make it feel inviting and homey. You could even choose to mount a television above it, turning your backyard into a cozy entertainment room.

For a more modern option, go for an outdoor fireplace that comes with LED lighting that can be programmed to display different colors. This feature makes it simple to change the look of your fireplace to suit the season or your mood. You can also turn it on and off to create a softer glow.

There’s no better way to unwind than by relaxing in front of a roaring fire. With the right design, your outdoor fireplace will become a focal point for your deck and will be a favorite spot to gather with family and friends. Just be sure to keep it a safe distance from flammable materials and your house to ensure safety and avoid any potential issues.