Successfully Integrate an Outside Fireplace on Any Budget

Overwhelmed with the logistics of adding an outside fireplace to your outdoor living space? Whether your budget is grande or shot-sized, layout and design are essential to successful integration and optimal function.

Landscape Your Way to Success with a Bit of Pre-Planning

1. What’s the specific function of your outdoor space?
   Cooking out? Dining? Relaxing with friends or family? Recreation? Consider how it will connect with surrounding spaces, and how this will effect intended use. If the space is poorly located or suffers accessibility issues, it’s less likely to be used and enjoyed.
2. How big do you want to go?
   A simple patio or deck? A series of outdoor rooms? If the latter, consider a design creation with a cohesive flow that allows for installation in phases if you’re on a budget.
3. What’s the traffic pattern?
   Successful design should consider traffic patterns, how they unfold into each other, and consider flow. Where are your doorways, openings, and walkways? Need to separate space or establish ‘zones’? Differentiate with hardscaping materials (pavers, brick, cobblestone) and plant placement to create boundaries and definition. The key to success here is thinking indoors, out. (What aspects of your indoor layout make you crazy? You won’t want to duplicate these issues here.)
4. Is there anything you can “borrow”?
   Borrowed landscape features – views beyond the area you’re creating (or your property) – may offer free opportunities for focal points, such as water or mountain views – or highlight the need for camouflaging (sheds).
5. How can you best incorporate a fireplace as a focal point?
   With your plan mapped out, consider placement of these functional focal points in each area:

• • Big Budget
    Dual-sided outside fireplaces such as the Montebello See-Through Gas Fireplace offer multiple focal points and flexibility in use, indoors and out, while popular panoramic such as the Town & Country TC54 provide a luxurious and unique ambiance. Both offer an array of customization options from exterior panels to inserts to match your decor.
  • Indie-Style Solutions
    Firepits such as the traditional wood-burning circular Grayson Woods or portable gas PatioFlame with glass ember bed offer flexible, affordable solutions for adding a functional focal point on a budget.

6. How can you incorporate your personal style?
   From sophisticated to beach bum, your selection of outdoor furniture and décor should mirror your home’s style – and yours. A few repeated elements, colors, or motifs ensure a harmonious look.
7. Have you overlooked functional elements?
   Ensure plentiful, varied seating (high, low, portable, stationary, swings, hammocks), and don’t neglect outdoor protection (roof, pergola, awning).  

From budget-friendly to the lustrous and luxurious, deck out your outdoor living space with the latest fireplaces, firepits, grills and accessories from your neighborhood Fireplace Warehouse ETC today.