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12 Amazing Modern Outdoor Fireplaces

It used to be that a grill and a couple of loungers from a big box store were enough to enjoy the patio. These days it’s all outdoor kitchens and furniture sleek enough to populate the living room. Well-designed rooms have taken to the other side of the sliding door (or pivot door if you’re lucky), with homeowners outfitting outdoor spaces with all the comforts of home, including full-on fireplaces. Meanwhile, enjoy the integrated designs and warmth of these 12 modern outdoor fireplace setups.

05.13.14 | By
12 Amazing Modern Outdoor Fireplaces

Designed by Rob Steiner; photo by Lisa Romerein.

Photo by Michael Moran

Photo by Michael Moran

Wood decking and concrete blocks are the materials of choice for this deck on the sea designed by Manhattan-based Alexander Gorlin Architects and David Scott Interiors. The sleek white furniture is in keeping with the overall minimalist design, as is the fireplace. The fireplace facing echoes the pattern of the wall, and surely the flames warm those chilled by ocean breezes.

outdoor-fireplace-belzberg-architects

Santa Monica firm Belzberg Architects designed this home with an outward facing fireplace oriented towards an enchanting side garden. We expect there may be a fireplace on the other side of this chimney, facing into a living room.

Photo by RES4

Photo by RES4

We haven’t often seen fireplaces built into wood decks, but we love this one, designed by Resolution 4 Architecture, with its industrial meets rustic feel. The stovepipe chimney and tension wire rails contrast nicely with the wood rail and backdrop of tall trees.

Photo by Patrick Reynolds

Photo by Patrick Reynolds

Another fireplace on a deck, though the design of this, done by Fearon Hay Architects, is much more bare bones. The simple plank stairs and skinny, plain chimney gives off a Danish forest vibe.

Photo by Michael Arden

Photo by Michael Arden

Principal Jeffrey Tohl of L.A. firm The Architecture Studio designed this contemporary home that features a courtyard style patio. This cozy outdoor space complete with fireplace is de rigueur for the HGTV star’s designs.

Photo by Dwight Eschliman

Photo by Dwight Eschliman

Marmol Radziner, which does architectural, landscape design, and construction in LA (not to mention prefab structures), designed this fireplace with shelf and wood storage. Not wholly outdoors, it straddles a cement floored indoor/outdoor living room, which opens onto a patio.

Photo by Pieter Estersohn / Architectural Digest

Photo by Pieter Estersohn / Architectural Digest

Seattle-based contemporary architecture firm Olson Kundig gets coastal living. A concrete fireplace, built-in seating topped with cushions, and wicker furniture with clean lines are the perfect complement to palm trees and pink sunsets.

Photo by Scott Mayoral

Photo by Scott Mayoral

A desert mountain oasis? Big pool, open air pavilion, and roaring fire, plus a couple of wood slat deck chairs is really all anyone needs for a retreat, though we wouldn’t mind a cocktail and perhaps a daily yoga class too. Designed by Vance Lorenzini.

outdoor-fireplace-sweden-karlavagen76

Spotted on the Swedish real estate site Karlavagen, this looks to be an urban rooftop patio with a greenhouse-like structure. The sleek concrete fireplace ensures outdoor enjoyment even during frigid winters. The rustic picnic style table contrasts nicely with the overall contemporary design.

Photo by Christopher Dow

Photo by Christopher Dow

This outdoor room, done by Vance Burke Interior Design was featured in the glossy magazine Garden Design. The classic butterfly chairs, wicker lantern, outdoor rug, and outdoor fireplace with a southwestern silhouette is a colorful, homey departure from the previous monochromatic, sparser designs.

Photo by Brent Humphreys

Photo by Brent Humphreys

We spotted this boxy outdoor fireplace in Dwell. The design mixes contemporary, horizontal cladding with traditional fieldstone, all on a bed of pea stones. The home, located in Austin, Texas, is designed by principal Elizabeth Alford of local firm Pollen Architecture.

For additional designs, check out Modern Outdoor Fireplaces on StyleCarrot.

Marni Elyse Katz is a Contributing Editor at Design Milk. She lives in Boston where she contributes regularly to local publications and writes her own interior design blog, StyleCarrot.