Hardscape Features for your Outdoors

Wood Storage
If you get a wood burning fireplace, you'll need a place to store wood close by. A built-in wood box is great for this purpose. You need a storage box that is large enough to hold enough wood to keep the fire fueled through the evening. However, many homeowners opt for two storage boxes on either side of the fireplace to create a symmetrical design. Another option is to build a wood storage space beneath the firebox and hearth.

Mantel
For an added boost of style you can add a mantel to your outdoor fireplace. An outdoor mantel serves a similar purpose as an indoor one—it is a feature on which you can display decorative items. Outdoor mantels can be made of precast concrete that is colored or textured to your liking. Precast concrete is an excellent option because of its outdoor durability. Other popular outdoor mantel materials include granite rock, cast limestone, and wood (if properly treated for the outdoors).

Hearth
If you want to be able to sit and warm up close to the flames, consider adding a hearth to your fireplace. A hearth is an attached bench that allows for people to sit close to the fire. A comfortable height for a hearth is between 18 and 20 inches. Make sure the seat of your hearth is deep enough for someone to sit at a comfortable distance from the flames. Companies that sell prefab fireplaces usually have a matching hearth option that can be attached to the main unit. If you are opting for a custom fireplace, your contractor will be able to build a hearth that suits your needs. Your hearth can be faced with brick or stone to match the rest of the fireplace. For an added decorative touch, cap the hearth seat with flagstone or precast stained concrete.

Lighting
Lighting should also be a consideration when installing an outdoor fireplace. Make sure your lighting is subtle and doesn't overpower the glow of the fire. Light fixtures can be incorporated right into the structure of an outdoor fireplace. Consider using light to highlight special features such as the mantel or wood box. If you plan to install lighting on your fireplace, make sure electrical lines are ran before construction begins.

Check out our Photo Gallery
for more fire feature ideas

Adding a fire pit as part of your landscaping will extend the enjoyment of your backyard for you and your guests. They provide warmth, light, a cooking source, and ambiance, making them a natural gathering spot for socializing, entertaining, and relaxation. People are drawn to the campfire-like atmosphere, and before you know it, there will be story-telling and laughter. A fire pit can also serve as an important focal point in your outdoor landscape design. When placed where it can be easily seen from your interior living space, it can be enjoyed from the indoors as well.

There are many options when it comes to the size, shape and style of a fire pit. You can have a built-in fire pit installed, or you can purchase a portable one that can be moved about your yard. If opting for a built-in fire pit, you'll be able to choose from a variety of outdoor finishing materials including concrete, stone and brick. And remember, fire pits don't have to be round-they can be square, L-shaped, triangular, or an entirely custom shape.

Outdoor Fireplace Size
Backyard fireplaces can be created in a variety of sizes according to your needs and the scale of your yard. Generally, wood burning fireplaces tend to be taller and wider than gas fired ones because they require higher chimneys for safety and larger fireboxes to accommodate logs. Gas fired fireplaces are shorter because they have exhaust vents that make chimneys unnecessary.

If the main reason for installing an outdoor fireplace in your yard is to create ambiance than you should opt for a small style. A small fireplace will still provide dancing flames but will require less maintenance and be more cost effective. However, if you are looking for a fireplace that provides a great deal of warmth and is more conducive to entertaining go with a larger style. Additionally, take cues from the fireplace's surroundings on how big it should be. For example: if you have a large house with mature trees, a patio cover, and swimming pool then you should consider a bigger fireplace.

Outdoor fireplaces can be as small as four feet tall, three feet wide and two feet deep. While larger fireplaces, complete with mantel and hearth, built-in seating and wood storage boxes, can be as large as 15 feet tall, 15 feet wide and 4 feet deep. Talk with a landscape designer or contractor to determine what size will best fit your needs and available space.