Outdoor fireplaces make a terrific addition to any backyard. They not only improve the visual appeal of your patio, but also add functions such as cooking or heating, which means they’re as practical as they are beautiful. Buying a fireplace or fire pit is the first step towards creating a comfortable, inviting area for your family and friends to enjoy all year long.

When shopping for outdoor fireplaces, you’ll notice that there is a wide selection of styles and designs to choose from—at least as far as outward appearance goes. Making a decision on this point largely comes down to a matter of personal taste, as you’ll obviously want to buy something that is attractive and blends in nicely with your patio furniture and surrounding landscape. But there is more to choosing outdoor fireplaces than looks alone. Specifically, prospective buyers must also consider the inner workings of the model, as well as the intended use of the product.

Here are the three main options you can choose from:

• Fire pits. It might be that a full-sized fireplace is not what you’re looking for due to space limitations or budgetary constraints. In that case, a fire pit would make a great alternative. You can put a fire pit in a myriad of places, and will still be able to create warmth and produce the cozy atmosphere you desire. Some fire pit designs can even accommodate cooking accessories such as a grill grate or rotisserie arm, so keep that in mind as you shop around.
• Wood burning outdoor fireplaces. These models are most suitable for spacious yards or patios with flat, level surfaces made of a noncombustible material such as concrete or stone. A wood burning fireplace provides the unbeatable charm associated with real fires, and is therefore perfect for those who value ambience above all else. These models are also available with optional grilling equipment to handle all your backyard cooking needs and help you get the most out of your new addition.
• Gas outdoor fireplaces. Although everyone loves the effect produced by wood fires, some folks prefer the convenience of a gas fire. If you fit into this category, then a gas fireplace is your answer. These models use natural gas or propane as fuel, and, use ceramic gas logs or a bed of glass for a modern twist. A gas fireplace provides the warming capabilities you want in a convenient, hassle-free package.

Now that you know a bit more about outdoor fireplaces, you should be able to determine which type aligns best with your entertaining, heating, or cooking goals. The next step is to find a fireplace or fire pit design you like at a price you can afford, and then make the purchase!

MantelsDirect.com is excited to announce the launch of DEECO, a manufacture of unique chimineas and durable fire pits. With summer upon us it’s time to spruce up your backyard or patio space, a cast aluminum chiminea or outdoor fire pit is a sure show stopper for your family and friends. Deeco products are low maintenance and ready to use throughout the year. This product line is artistically designed to fit any outdoor room. Each fire pit or chiminea style includes a spark guard to protect against unruly fire embers and a protective weather cover.

Vineyard Chiminea

The European Vineyard Cast Aluminum Chiminea is classically designed with grape vines and leaves – perfect for any outdoor garden or patio space. The Rock Canyon Outdoor Fire Pit Table is a versitle 3-in-1 party essential. The Rock Canyon model features 3 unique inserts; a 20-inch cast iron fire pit bowl adds warmth on cooler nights, a 20-inch copperized steel ice basin keeps drinks and food cold during backyard entertaining, and a mosaic slate insert with umbrella hole completes this 43 inch diameter table for dining alfresco.

Rock Canyon Fire Pit Table

If you’ve been shopping around for a fire pit, you’ve probably noticed how many of the available models are nothing more than a plain metal bowl that could easily double as the bottom half of a charcoal grill. While those pieces are certainly serviceable, we have to wonder who would want something so dull and uninspiring occupying a primary space in their backyard. As an alternative, we invite you to view the full line of Fire Pit Art outdoor fireplaces that we carry.

The products in this collection are not only functional, but also positively stunning to look at. Distinctive designs such as Third Rock and Barefoot Beach will dazzle you and your guests as the flames from a roaring fire dance through cutout shapes of the continents or seashells. For an understated yet elegant look that has endured through many centuries and will never go out of style, consider ordering the classic Fleur de Lis design. Or, to evoke the spirit of the American Southwest no matter where you are in the world, select the Kokopelli model, with its gecko, sun, and Hopi Indian god motif. A beautiful fire pit from this line will instantly transform your backyard from boring to brilliant as soon as it is put into place.

Unlike full-sized outdoor fireplaces which typically come in either wood-burning or gas log versions, an artistic fire pit can accommodate wood, natural gas, or propane, giving you the kind of flexibility you desire. Moreover, a fire pit is virtually maintenance free even when exposed to cold climates and harsh weather, which makes it a perfect fit for folks who don’t want the usual hassles involved in cleaning outdoor fireplaces.

All the models in the Fire Pit Art collection are handcrafted from solid carbon steel and feature an interior coating that is resistant to high temperatures to ensure both safety and durability. They also come with a rain drain in the bottom, and can be dressed up with optional accessories such as a spark screen or limestone base. In addition, each piece is individually numbered to reinforce its status as a unique work of art.

When it comes to your backyard, don’t settle for bland when you can have bold instead. Choose one of the attractive designs from the Fire Pit Art Outdoor Fireplaces line, and leave the mass-produced stuff to someone else!

There is more to a home than its walls, insulation, and foundation. Yards offer you space to relax, cook out, and enjoy nature. Think of the yard as an additional room of the home, requiring the same amount of planning and maintenance as the interior. Just as interior design elements help bring a home together, landscaping provides a finishing touch that makes a home feel complete.

Similar to interior design, an outdoor room plan begins with a focal point. A multipurpose focal point of an outdoor room is the  outdoor fireplace. They are not only a visual anchor for the eye to land upon, but serve several purposes in that they provide heating and a grill surface. A wood burning outdoor fireplace can add life to an other wise unused or uninteresting space.

Your family and friends can interact with an outdoor patio fireplace. The warmth causes guests to gather and having comfortable deep seating furniture invites them to linger around the outdoor fireplace. Having uninterrupted conversation has been effected by modern technology, such as cell phones and electronic games. The intangible benefits of spending time together are  found gathered around the outdoor fireplace, no better occasion for story telling.

The landscape compliments the home itself. Outdoor fireplaces and furniture should compliment the homes materials and aesthetic. A variety of styles of outdoor barbecue fireplaces are available and are suitable for do-it-yourself installation and even some with customization.   Just like jewelry is the finishing touch of an outfit, outdoor fireplaces may be the finishing touch that makes your homes yard feel complete.

Anyone who enjoys sitting outside enjoying the fresh air will love owning a chiminea. Chimeneas are freestanding, front-loading fireplaces and have a vertical smoke vent or chimney, perfect for use on decks and patios. Chimineas are beautifully designed and add style to any outdoor space. The difference between a chimenea and a basic fire pit design is that the chimenea forces smoke up and away. This is a benefit for windy evenings and for those who are sensitive to fire smoke.

Blue Rooster has over 12 years of experience designing and manufacturing outdoor fireplaces. They offer aluminum and steel chimeneas; which will not warp, crack or rust and are extremely light making them easy to move. Blue Rooster chimeneas should be placed on a brick, stone or concrete surface for safety. Browse through MantelsDirect.com large selection of chimineas, we’re sure you’ll find a design that’s the perfect addition to your outdoor space!

An appealing option for many homeowners to transform an outdoor patio, deck, or back garden into a more enjoyable destination has been the addition of an outdoor fireplace or fire pit.

Many designers will agree that using a fireplace outside as the centerpiece to your outdoor area doesn’t restrict or limit your ability to have a custom, individualized living space. Wide varieties of styles, sizes, materials, and fuels are available that all exude a different ambiance to fit anyone’s taste. For example, larger outdoor spaces may contain room for both a dining and lounging area. When looking for an outdoor fireplace to use as a focal point for this type of space, a see-through model would work well to use as a dual focal point.

Fire pits are another great option to include in your outdoor living space as well as a starting focal point to build a room off of. Just like outdoor fireplaces, fire pits can be made from a variety of materials that can suite just about anybody’s personal tastes. The type of fire pit you purchase should fit in with the outdoor backyard living space you have created, be it a woodland getaway or a more formal space with a pool and gardens. Besides the many material options out there, fire pits also come in many different styles. Options include everything from wood tables with an insert, one that looks like a stainless steel urn. They are also able to heat differently by using wood or natural gas.

There are numerous additional considerations and options to map out when taking your inside living spaces outdoors. Gazebos, shade sails, and umbrellas can be used as a focal point by themselves, or preferably, in conjunction with a fireplace.

Besides furniture and structural designs, lighting is another ideal way to balance and complete a room. Mood lighting, like solar landscape lighting and torches work well. Overhead and string lights can be used to match the season or just create an elegant ambiance.

Regardless what the final design turns out to be, outdoor living spaces offer homeowners an extension to their residence, adding more square footage and additional areas to entertain family and friends.

MantelsDirect.com has just added a fantastic selection of unique fire pits from artist Rick Wittrig. Rick hand-crafts these durable outdoor fireplaces at his home in central Tennessee. Designs range from the spherical ‘Third Rock‘ which was featured in the athlete’s village at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics to the creative ‘Kokopelli‘ to the classic ‘Saturn’ Artisan Outdoor Fire pit.

Each fire pit is crafted with 1/4″ solid carbon steel and is designed to last a lifetime. Individual items are numbered by Mr. Wittrig on a small brass plaque attached to the base ring, making them unique and a sure conversation piece. Options include spark screens with wood loading hatches and flagstone bases which allow these wood burners to be placed on wood decks.