It used to be that everyone coveted an indoor fireplace. Now that built-in wood-burning fireplaces aren’t the only option—there are many electric, propane, ethanol, wall-mounted, and free-standing fireplaces to be had— it seems that an outdoor fireplace is the thing.
Of course, weather in New England makes the whole outdoor room concept hard, unlike on the West Coast (make sure to check out my friend Chantal’s insane outdoor space in La Jolla). Fire pits are good options here (I will do a post on those as we get deeper into warmer weather). But plenty of people, especially those in warmer climes, are building full-on fireplaces to face their outdoor spaces.
There are fireplaces that are part of the house architecture, but are on the exterior façade, and others that build full-on fireplaces separate from the house, on disconnected patios or by the pool. Here is sampling of 20 modern outdoor fireplaces.
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Photo by Scott Mayoral of Central Meridian Photography
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Vance Burke Interior Design
Photo by Christopher Dow • Garden Design
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Right Move Real Estate
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Rob Pressman of TGP Landscape Architecture • Photo by Steve Gunther
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Rob Steiner Garden • Photo by Lisa Romerein • Garden Design Magazine
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Photo by Lisa Romerein • Coastal Living
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Karlavagen Real Estate
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Thuilot Associates • Sunset Magazine
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Danao Outdoor
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Fearon Hay Architects • Photo by Patrick Reynolds
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Kennedy Nolan Architects • Photo by Derek Swalwell
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Photo by Roger Davies Photography
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Photo by Evelyn Müller • CASA Brazil
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Photo by Thomas Story • Sunset Magazine
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