Since the cavemen, we always look-alike around the fire to warm up, to have light and company. Fires and people have of course changed since that time. The majority of homeowners who opt for a backyard fireplace do not use it to prepare food unless they are cooking marshmallows. And many contemporary garden fireplaces are gas, not natural wood.
How to arrange a garden fireplace? Here are our tips and decorating ideas
What is the right fireplace for your outdoor space? To find the answer to this question, we invite you to discover our article with lots of useful tips about the outdoor fireplace and lots of decorating ideas to inspire you. Come on, it’s time to finally have your own backyard fireplace!
The garden fireplace can be gas or wood, as well as different designs and shapes
Where in the garden can you add a garden fireplace?
There are no quick and easy rules for where to put your fireplace in the garden. Obviously, it all depends on the size of your garden and how you plan to use your fireplace. Some like to hide their fireplace somewhere in the garden, while others prefer to make it the focal point of garden decoration that is visible from the house. Many people use the foyer area as an outdoor room, a corner to feast on, eat and have fun. If the fireplace is properly located, it may very well become part of the end-of-day ritual – enjoying a glass of wine at sunset.
The fireplace in the garden can be the focal point of the outdoor decoration or be placed in a more isolated place in the garden
Gas fireplace and wood-burning garden fireplace: why the gas fireplace is the best option?
The gas fireplace is actually much more suitable. Unlike wood, the gas fireplace does not produce smoke when lit. This means that when you are sitting around your fireplace, you won’t have to worry about getting smoke in your eyes or ending up with clothes that smell like burnt. And without sparks, gas combustion is also less dangerous.
How does a fireplace in the garden actually work?
A pipe is installed on the main gas line from the house to the fireplace. You need a plumber to install the line to the specified point and then connect it to the fireplace. Depending on where you live, a permit may be required; always check with local authorities. And since you will be using a gas line, choose the location wisely. If you change your mind after installing the fireplace, it won’t be so easy to move it to another location.
How far should the outdoor fireplace be from the house?
Local authorities may have restrictions that specify how far the fireplace must be from the house or other structures in the garden. You should check with your local building department before continuing. You can also get directions from a landscaper, general contractor, or town planner. How much space you need to leave for the fireplace area will depend on how you plan to use it. If you are going to be just like your family or small groups of friends, 2-3m should be enough. But in case you like to have big parties and parties around the fire, you need to allow a little more space.
What are outdoor fireplaces made of?
These are generally prefabricated parts. But you can also build concrete bowls on site. In this case, we can customize the size and design. Some people ask for fireplaces with a wide shelf where casual dinner guests can put their plates.
What is the best surface for fireplaces in the garden?
The material can vary – from decomposed granite to gravel or concrete, tile or stone. The choice depends on the aesthetics of the project and the type of seating that is desired. Obviously you need a fire retardant pad under the fireplace, but if you are installing a gas fireplace there is less of a safety issue (i.e. no sparks).
How high is an outdoor fireplace?
Although they are referred to as fireplaces, the term ‘bowl’ is certainly more appropriate as it is usually fireplaces raised above the ground. The fireplace, which is between 25cm and 30cm, about the height of a coffee table, is perfect if you want to warm your feet on it. Sometimes a custom fireplace can be designed to have a sitting area on it if desired.
Both options are great: fireplaces with built-in benches and fireplaces with chairs that can be moved around. You can also combine the two options. Built-in benches provide plenty of seating space especially when it comes to a small space, while chairs provide flexibility and add an informal feel. Choose the design and colors according to the style of your garden.
How do you turn the area around the fireplace into an outdoor room?
The garden fireplace with integrated seating gives the space a feeling of permanence. It also helps to have a space surrounded by plants, and especially when they are layered at different heights. The garden fireplace will significantly help you spend more time outdoors. Even on cooler summer evenings and even in autumn, with an outdoor fireplace, you will be able to stay outside without getting so cold.
Some decor and design ideas with an outdoor fireplace:
There really are few things more welcoming and pleasant than an outdoor space decorated with a garden fireplace. Fortunately, these accessories can be found in plenty of different shapes and sizes so that they can fit perfectly into every budget and style of garden. Here are some garden fire pit ideas that may inspire you:
-Multi-Level Garden Fireplace: Unique designs are a hallmark of 21st century home style. And this is also true for homes. For your garden fireplace, you can opt for a tiered model that has two separate fireplace zones, one lower than the first. It is an unusual arrangement but will give a very original look to your garden, as well as a very elegant appearance.
– Unusually Shaped Garden Fire Pit: For very small outdoor spaces, the full circle shaped fire pit may not be the best idea. And that is no problem. Because like everything else in our homes, fireplaces and fireplaces can also be adapted and personalized according to the restrictions of the available space. So you can for example opt for a fireplace in the shape of a semicircle that fits perfectly even in a sloping garden that is not wide enough to accommodate a fireplace in the shape of a full circle.
-Proportional Garden Fireplace: Scale and shape are also important in the design of an outdoor fireplace. The angles and straight lines of a house or garden should be equal to those in the installed fireplace. If you plan to put a fireplace in a garden with rounded shapes, you should probably opt for a fireplace that is also rounded. The same goes for the decorative elements which must correspond to those in the garden or in the house.
-Outdoor fireplace inspired by the surrounding landscape: The choice of materials for the fireplace can make the fireplace look like a natural extension of the design already existing in your garden. If, for example, you plan to install a fireplace next to your rock garden, you should probably choose a natural stone fireplace. Opt for a wooden hearth for a rustic style garden, or a metal hearth for a contemporary design garden.
-Contemporary Design Outdoor Fireplace: While garden fireplaces can often be seen in more traditional gardens, with the right details they can fit in just as well in more modern and contemporary outdoor spaces. This is the reason why the choice of materials is particularly important if you are setting up an outdoor fireplace after having already finished the design of the space.
-Outdoor fireplace with contrasting materials: We naturally want to be closer to each other when we are sitting around the fire. You can then opt for a foyer with more built-in sitting space and a built-in shelving unit to eliminate the need for a lot of side tables. Choose for a model that combines several materials and textures to create a beautiful contrast and make the decor of your outdoor space more interesting.
-Fireplaces with integrated seating: All permanent fireplaces have some kind of non-flammable material around. This material acts as a barrier to keep people from getting very close to the fire and as a buffer to any loose, hot material that may escape from the structure. If you have space, a larger-than-normal platform can be easily integrated into the permanent seating in the fireplace, for a setup that allows for multiple people around the fire.
-Outdoor Fireplace for a Quiet, Quiet Space:
While garden fireplaces usually take center stage in gardens, their portable versions are great options for encouraging more secluded rest and relaxation areas. You can accentuate your relaxation space in the garden with a simple change of paving underfoot. Leave a space that is just large enough for a cozy sofa and two chairs around the central fireplace. And you, have you already chosen your fireplace in the garden? You can choose the design, shape, materials, and color of your outdoor fireplace according to the style of your outdoor area.
The fireplace in the garden is most often placed in the center of a furnished garden furniture
If your exterior is of a modern or contemporary style, opt for an outdoor fireplace with an unusual shape to make it even more interesting
This fireplace is located in the center of a large sitting area in the shape of a circle
The creation of a remote relaxation space in the garden is also often accompanied by a fireplace
If you are lucky enough to have an outdoor area with a swimming pool, why not combine it with an outdoor fireplace as well?
Here is another design idea of a sitting area in the garden with a fireplace in the center as a focal point.