An outdoor fireplace does what no other patio feature can: it makes the space usable in March and November, not just June. It becomes the room’s anchor — the thing everyone gravitates toward on cool evenings — and it adds more resale appeal per dollar than almost any other backyard project.
From $150 portable fireplaces to full masonry builds, these 12 outdoor fireplace patio ideas cover every budget, space, and skill level. Find yours below.
1. The Classic Wood-Burning Masonry Fireplace
A full stone or brick fireplace with a proper chimney is the forever option — it throws serious heat, looks incredible, and lasts decades. Budget $3,000–$8,000 for a contractor build, or half that if you’re handy with masonry.
Best for: Homeowners planning to stay put who want maximum heat and value.
2. Gas Fireplace Insert
A natural gas or propane fireplace lights with a switch, burns clean with no smoke or sparks, and needs no wood storage. Many municipalities that restrict wood burning allow gas fireplaces without issue.
Best for: Smoke-sensitive neighborhoods, HOAs, and anyone who hates hauling firewood.
3. Portable Outdoor Fireplace
Freestanding metal fireplaces (the classic “fireplace with chimney” shape) cost $150–$400, need zero installation, and move wherever the party is. Look for models with spark screens and a rain cap.
Best for: Renters and anyone who wants fireplace ambiance this weekend, not next month.
4. DIY Cinder Block Fireplace
Stack cinder blocks in a fireplace shape, face them with stone veneer or stucco, and add a metal firebox insert — a weekend project for under $500 that looks like a $3,000 build. Dozens of free plans exist online.
Best for: Confident DIYers. Check local codes first — some areas require permits for any wood-burning structure.
5. Corner Fireplace for Small Patios
A corner-unit fireplace tucks into the patio’s dead space instead of eating the middle of it. Triangular fireboxes and L-shaped designs keep the footprint under 4 square feet while still throwing real heat.
Best for: Patios under 200 square feet where a full fireplace would dominate.
6. Double-Sided (See-Through) Fireplace
A see-through fireplace in a low dividing wall serves two zones at once — dining on one side, lounge on the other. It’s the single most dramatic thing you can do to an open patio layout.
Best for: Large patios with distinct dining and seating areas.
7. Fireplace with Built-In Seating
Flank the fireplace with built-in stone or concrete benches and you solve seating and structure in one move. Add outdoor cushions and the benches become the most fought-over seats in the house.
Best for: Entertainers who host groups — no more dragging chairs around.
8. Modern Linear Gas Fireplace
A long, low linear burner (36–72 inches) with glass media instead of logs is pure contemporary drama. It mounts in a low wall or custom surround and throws even heat across a seating area.
Best for: Modern and minimalist patios with clean architectural lines.
9. Pizza Oven + Fireplace Combo
A wood-fired pizza oven stacked beside (or above) a fireplace gives you cooking and heating in one masonry structure. The oven’s retained heat keeps the patio warm long after the pizza’s gone.
Best for: Food lovers. See our outdoor cooking station ideas for the full setup.
10. Chiminea-Style Freestanding Fireplace
The bulbous clay or cast-iron chiminea is the original portable patio fireplace — the chimney shape directs smoke up and away, so you actually stay downwind of your own fire. Modern steel versions run $100–$300.
Best for: Small patios where smoke management matters. We go deep on these in our chiminea patio ideas.
11. Fireplace TV Wall
Mount an outdoor-rated TV above a gas fireplace (never wood — heat and soot kill electronics) and you have the ultimate game-day setup. Keep 12+ inches of mantel clearance and use a full-motion mount to angle it away from rising heat.
Best for: Sports fans who want the ultimate game-day setup.
12. Tabletop Fireplace Accent
A small gel-fuel or tabletop gas fireplace ($50–$150) won’t heat the patio, but it puts living flame at the center of the conversation — on the dining table, the coffee table, the bar cart. Sometimes ambiance is the whole point.
Best for: Adding firelight to a patio that already has a main heat source.
Fireplace Fuel Guide
- Seasoned hardwood (oak, hickory, maple, 6+ months dried): hottest, cleanest burn; the only choice for wood fireplaces and chimineas.
- Manufactured fire logs: consistent, low-smoke, easy to store — great for occasional users who don’t want a woodpile.
- Natural gas: endless supply, instant on/off, cheapest per hour if you already have the line.
- Propane: portable and clean; a 20-lb tank runs a medium burner 8–10 hours.
- Gel fuel: simplest for tabletop units, but $1–2/hour — fine for ambiance, expensive as a heat source.
- Never burn: treated lumber, plywood, painted wood, trash, or charcoal in a fireplace or chiminea — toxic fumes and excess heat damage the structure.
Fireplace Safety Non-Negotiables
- Clearance: Keep 10 feet between any wood-burning fireplace and the house, fences, and overhanging trees (check local code — some require more).
- Spark screen always on wood-burning units, even “just for a minute.”
- Never use a wood fireplace under a covered patio unless the structure is specifically rated for it — carbon monoxide and heat buildup are real dangers. Gas units rated for covered use are the safe alternative.
- The NFPA’s outdoor fire safety guidelines are worth a read before your first burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wood-burning or gas — which is better for a patio?
Wood gives more heat, crackle, and aroma — the full sensory experience. Gas gives instant on/off, no smoke, no sparks, and no wood storage. If your HOA or city restricts wood burning (many do now), gas is the answer. If you love the ritual of a real fire and it’s allowed, wood wins on experience every time.
How much does an outdoor fireplace cost?
Portable: $150–$400. DIY cinder block: $400–$800. Contractor-built masonry: $3,000–$8,000. Linear gas units: $2,000–$5,000 installed. The fireplace itself is half the project — budget equally for the seating area around it.
Can I put a fireplace on a wooden deck?
Only gas or gel-fuel units specifically rated for deck use, on a non-combustible pad — never wood-burning. Most deck fires start from exactly this mistake. When in doubt, put the fireplace on stone or concrete at ground level.
Do outdoor fireplaces need permits?
Often yes for permanent wood-burning structures; usually no for portable units and most gas installs (though gas line work needs a licensed plumber). Call your local building department before you build — a 5-minute call beats a stop-work order, and some cities have outright wood-burning bans you need to know about first.
Fireplace Picks at a Glance
- Easiest: Portable outdoor fireplace — burning tonight, under $400.
- Best heat: Masonry wood-burning — the forever option.
- Cleanest: Gas fireplace insert — switch-on fire, no smoke.
- Cheapest DIY: Cinder block build — weekend project, under $500.
- Smallest footprint: Corner fireplace — real fire in 4 square feet.
A fireplace turns your patio from a summer luxury into a three-season room. Start with what your space and budget allow — even a portable unit changes everything about how the patio feels after dark. For the seating to go around it, see our fire pit seating area ideas.
