Skip to content

Top Navigation

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Holidays
  • Videos
  • current issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Midwest Living

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • On Chicago's South Side, a New River Trail Guides the Way Through Nearly Two Centuries of Black History

      On Chicago's South Side, a New River Trail Guides the Way Through Nearly Two Centuries of Black History

      Paddlers on the 7-mile-long American Heritage Water Trail learn the stories of African Americans who fought for freedom and equality. Read More
    • This 136-Year-Old Nebraska Ranch Welcomes Guests to Create, Work and Learn From the Land

      This 136-Year-Old Nebraska Ranch Welcomes Guests to Create, Work and Learn From the Land

      In a far-flung corner of northwest Nebraska, guests come for an experience that unfolds over miles—a story about a fragile ecosystem and the tough woman trying to preserve it. Read More
    • A Pair of Flower Farmers Sows a New Beginning—Twice—in Madison County, Iowa

      A Pair of Flower Farmers Sows a New Beginning—Twice—in Madison County, Iowa

      Jenn and Adam O'Neal put down roots at Pepperharrow Farm, a 20-acre homestead near Des Moines—and worked with nature to bring it back to life after a devastating 2022 tornado. Read More
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    Take a Day Trip to Charming Winona Lake, Indiana—Just 2.5 Hours from Chicago and Indy

    Take a Day Trip to Charming Winona Lake, Indiana—Just 2.5 Hours from Chicago and Indy

    In the sweet Indiana town of Winona Lake, restored cottages house shops while boats ply a peaceful canal.
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Family Travel
    • Around the Region
    • Beyond the Region
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • South Dakota
    • Wisconsin
    • Free Travel Info
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    Grill Your Biggest, Best Burger Yet with Chicago Chef Erick Williams

    Grill Your Biggest, Best Burger Yet with Chicago Chef Erick Williams

    The James Beard Award winner dishes on eating out, honoring roots and upping your burger game. (Hint: There’s a fried egg and bacon involved.)
    • Comfort Foods
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Breakfast
    • Quick & Easy
    • Chicken
    • Soups & Stews
    • Midwest Favorites
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish
    • Grilling
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    A Designer Turned Her Childhood Friend's Home into a Masterful Mash-Up of '70s and '80s Decor Hits

    A Designer Turned Her Childhood Friend's Home into a Masterful Mash-Up of '70s and '80s Decor Hits

    Shared style crushes help a designer pull from childhood memories to shape a new Chicago area home for a long-time friend.
    • Quick Decorating
    • Featured Homes
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Outdoor Living
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Room Decorating
  • Garden

    Garden

    See All Garden
    New Rose Varieties for Frills, Fragrance and Victorian Charm

    New Rose Varieties for Frills, Fragrance and Victorian Charm

    Old-timey blooms are back in vogue—and none more so than roses. An Indiana pro shares her growing tips and recommendations.
    • Container Gardens
    • Flowers
    • Featured Gardens
    • Midwest Gardening Calendar
    • Garden Ideas & Inspiration
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    Fresh and Colorful Summer Salads

    Fresh and Colorful Summer Salads

    These bright, healthy salads—with veggies, fruits, hearty grains and more—are gorgeous enough to star at your dinner table or a picnic spread.
    • Easter
    • July 4th
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
  • Videos

    Videos

    See All Videos
    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Tamales are a project, but many hands—even tiny ones—make lighter work.
    • Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath
    • These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing
    • Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland
    • How to Make a Modern Fruit Cake Box
    • An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make
    • Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall
    • How to Make a Dried Floral Arrangement
    • How to Make an Easy Pina Colada
    • How to Make an Amazing Pavlova
    • How to Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake
    • How to Make an All-Butter Pie Crust
    • DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating
  • current issue

    current issue

    See All current issue
    About Us

    About Us

    • March/April 2022 Issue
    • January/February 2022 Issue
    • November/December 2021 Issue
    • September/October 2021 Issue
    • July/August 2021 Issue
    • May/June 2021 Issue
    • Summer 2022 Issue
    • Fall 2022 Issue
    • Winter 2022 Issue
    • Spring 2023 Issue
    • Summer 2023 Issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Midwest Living
  2. Homes
  3. Outdoor Living
  4. Outdoor Fireplace Ideas

Outdoor Fireplace Ideas

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com Updated August 03, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Scene setter

From fancy to rustic, portable to permanent, find an outdoor fireplace design to suit your home's architecture and your living style.

Start Slideshow

1 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Scene setter

Scene setter

This three-sided fireplace means that views are hot from almost anywhere in the yard.

1 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lakeside fire pit

Bassett lake home firepit
Credit: Chad Holder

The patio firepit and twinkle lights from a boathouse set the mood for relaxing with friends at a Minnesota lakeside home. Blankets tossed over lawn chairs let guests cozy up when the sun sets. See more photos from this home.

2 of 17

3 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Rooftop fireplace

Don’t skimp

This striking fireplace anchors a Chicago rooftop garden. More photos from the rooftop garden

3 of 17

Advertisement

4 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Table topper

Table topper

Flames flicker at eye level if you use a tablesize fire pit (burning ethanol). Despite its size, it generates warmth and cheer.

4 of 17

5 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Balancing styles

Balancing styles

Wood and stone provide substantial weight to a rustic scene accented with modern furniture.

5 of 17

6 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Warm spaces

Warm spaces

This Indiana homeowner built benches, walkways and decks around the fire pit.

6 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Seamless flow

Outdoor living area

A roofed, open-air living area, or loggia, ensures a seamless flow between indoors and out in this St. Louis home. A wood fireplace warms the area on cool nights. With the addition of draperies and portable heaters, friends and family can enjoy the space year-round.

7 of 17

8 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bold statement

Bold statement

A tower of poured concrete makes a bold statement.

8 of 17

9 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Simply stunning

Simply stunning

The fire pit in this Chicago home's backyard is a simple portable unit. But the fall-color plantings make it stunning.

9 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

French touch

French touch

Embellishment makes this an airy piece even as it anchors a pavered seating area.

10 of 17

11 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chiminea styles

Chiminea styles

Mexican chimineas come is all shapes, sizes and materials. Natural materials merge in this woodland garden in Stillwater, Minnesota.

11 of 17

12 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Flowing look

Flowing look

The flowing lines of brick and stone turn the back of a house into a thing of beauty and warmth.

12 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Big and bold

Big and bold

The size of this fireplace makes a bold statement all year. The materials withstand the Glencoe, Illinois, winters.

13 of 17

14 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Two sides to the story

Two sides to the story

This Spanish-style two-sided fireplace heats two seating areas.

14 of 17

15 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Not-quite cottage

Not-quite cottage

Though in a cozy corner of a cottagey backyard, this setting has some modern touches—striped upholstery, bug pillows, gray furniture.

15 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brick works

Brick works

This is a spacious yet cozy patio because of all the brick and wood. The fireplace contributes to that feeling, too.

16 of 17

17 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hearth works

Hearth works

Indoors or out, a raised hearth puts a fire where you can most enjoy it. The stone surround complements nature's beauty.

17 of 17

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 17 Scene setter
    2 of 17 Lakeside fire pit
    3 of 17 Rooftop fireplace
    4 of 17 Table topper
    5 of 17 Balancing styles
    6 of 17 Warm spaces
    7 of 17 Seamless flow
    8 of 17 Bold statement
    9 of 17 Simply stunning
    10 of 17 French touch
    11 of 17 Chiminea styles
    12 of 17 Flowing look
    13 of 17 Big and bold
    14 of 17 Two sides to the story
    15 of 17 Not-quite cottage
    16 of 17 Brick works
    17 of 17 Hearth works

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Midwest Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • Free Newsletters this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Renew this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program
    • Free Travel Info this link opens in a new tab
    • Special Promotions this link opens in a new tab
    • Sweepstakes this link opens in a new tab
    • Video
    • Home Advisor this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMidwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Do Not Sell My Personal Informationthis link opens a modal window
    © Copyright Midwest Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.midwestliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Outdoor Fireplace Ideas
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.