Having an outdoor fireplace installed at your home certainly has its benefits. You know how warm and inviting an indoor fireplace is, well now you can have the luxury of a fireplace outdoors as well. If you enjoy sitting outside during the day or in the evening and you want something warm to snuggle in front of, an outdoor fireplace makes the perfect addition. It is not only nice to look at, but also functional because it provides heat. On cool evenings you can still sit outside and be warm and comfortable if you have an outdoor fireplace.
The first step to having one of these outdoor fireplaces installed at your home is deciding on a design. You can have an outdoor fireplace in virtually any design, as long as it is safe and properly built. Consider the size of the fireplace first and foremost. The size of fireplace you can install depends on the amount of space you have available where you want the fireplace installed, as well as what sort of budget you are working with. Typically, the larger a fireplace you build, the more money it will cost you.
You also must determine what material you want the fireplace made out of for your outdoor fireplace designs. Again, this has an effect on price, so keep that in mind when you are considering your options. Most fireplaces are made from stone, but there are different types of stone to choose from. That includes simple natural stones, which are relatively affordable and easy to install. If you prefer granite, marble, or a more expensive type of stone, that is going to cost you. There are also cultured stones which are usually the most expensive. These are actually not real stones, but instead are made to look like stone and can be cast to any size and shape of your liking.
Stick with a neutral color if you want a simpler look, or go big and bold with a vibrant, bright color if you want your fireplace to make more of an impact. You may be basing the design of the fireplace around the existing décor in the space, or vice versa.
Think about how you want your finished fireplace to look, including what shape you want it to appear and whether you want it more vertical or horizontal. Every little detail makes a difference and the more thought you put into the design of your fireplace, the more you can ensure it will turn out just how you want it.