As the days get longer and the temperatures start to rise, you may be dreaming of hosting outdoor gatherings and entertaining during the upcoming spring season. An outdoor bioethanol fireplace can be the perfect addition to any patio or backyard, providing a cosy atmosphere and allowing you to enjoy the outdoors all year round. In this article, we’ll share some tips for using an outdoor electric fireplace for spring entertaining, so you can host the best spring soirée of the season.
1. Create an Al Fresco Dining Area
Spring and summer evenings are perfect for outdoor dining – providing you can keep the chill out of the air. An inset outdoor fireplace is a great way to do just that, and you can create an extra sense of intimacy by teaming your designer fireplace with a chic pagoda and outdoor lighting.
2. Opt for Flexible Seating and Warmth
If you don’t have a designated seating area in your garden, take advantage of the flexibility and add a portable firepit or outdoor fireplace to your outdoor space. Whether you’re hosting a cocktail party, an informal dinner or a relaxed BBQ, you can create flexible seating solutions to match any event when you have portable firepits to act as a centrepiece.
3. Enjoy Open Flames
The ‘great outdoors’ conjures up images of camping around an open fire and enjoying the wilderness. So why not recreate the feel in your very own backyard, without the bugs and tents? Firepits offer inspiring ideas for open fireplaces, so it’s easy to enjoy the warmth of the flames and the ambience of an outdoor adventure – even when you’re in your own garden!
4. Install an Outdoor Kitchen
For food connoisseurs and gourmet food lovers, an outdoor kitchen is the perfect addition to any garden. Giving you the space and resources to rustle up al fresco culinary masterpieces, an outdoor kitchen ensures you’ll make the most of the spring weather and how better to create a spectacular outdoor kitchen than with an outdoor fireplace?
Complement the fixtures, fittings and appliances with a contemporary designer fireplace and you’ll soon be enjoying an unrivalled outdoor cooking and dining area.
5. Design an Intimate Seating Area
Garden designs give you the opportunity to enhance the functionality and visual impact of your outdoor space. Of course, outdoor seating is essential, especially in the spring and summer months when you want to spend more time enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.
A permanent, designated seating area means you can enjoy your garden effortlessly and outdoor designer fireplaces are the perfect addition. When your seating is centred around a focal point, like a fireplace, it adds a sense of purpose while creating aesthetic symmetry. With the right design, you can enhance how your garden looks and feels with an intimate seating area and outdoor fireplace.
How Do Outdoor Fireplaces Work?
Outdoor fireplaces work in much the same way as indoor fireplaces, although there are a few differences. Essentially, you’re burning fuel to create the flame, which provides heat and light (as well as a great atmosphere).
Just like indoor lifestyle fireplaces, there is a lot to consider when you’re designing the perfect outdoor fireplace for your garden. The style, size and fuel source will impact how your fireplace looks, feels and functions, so it’s always worth getting expert advice.
Unlike indoor fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces can be affected by the weather, so bear this in mind when you’re deciding where your outdoor fireplace should be situated. If you choose a wood-burning fireplace for an outdoor seating area, for example, you’ll need to consider how to prevent the smoke from drifting over to you. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this, such as fireplace inserts, and outdoor chimneys, and our in-house experts will help to create a design that meets your needs.
What Fuel Do Outdoor Fireplaces Use?
When you’re installing an outdoor fireplace, you can choose from a range of fuel sources. While premium electric fireplaces are ideal for luxury indoor fires, they aren’t typically suited to the outdoors. However, you can choose from:
Mains Gas
If you have a mains gas supply to your home, it’s easy to use this to power your outdoor fireplace too.
Propane Gas
Propane gas makes it easy to enjoy a gas-powered outdoor fireplace, even if you don’t have a mains supply to your home or you don’t want to modify the mains supply. With savvy design work, we can even integrate the propane gas tanks into the design of your fireplace so that they remain hidden.
Wood-Burning
A wood-burning outdoor fireplace is ideal if you want to mimic the effect of a true campfire and many people enjoy the traditional look and feel of a wood fire. However, it’s important to be aware that these types of outdoor fires do tend to produce the most smoke, so you’ll want to situate it carefully.
Bio-Ethanol
Bio-ethanol fireplaces offer a wide variety of arrangements as they are standalone features that offer maximum design flexibility. What’s more – bio-ethanol fireplaces don’t release fumes or smoke and they’re a great option if you want an eco-friendly outdoor fireplace.
What’s the Difference Between Outdoor Fireplaces and Firepits?
The terms, ‘outdoor fireplace’ and ‘firepit’ are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. Traditional firepits tend to be circular or bowl-shaped and are open from all sides, giving a campfire feel. In contrast, outdoor fireplaces can be linear, circular or curved and can be integrated into additional features such as inset fireplaces.
Of course, anything is possible when you create a custom outdoor fireplace. Whatever arrangement, shape and size you’re after, our in-house designers will help you create the ideal fireplace for your patio, garden or courtyard.
Plan Your Outdoor Fireplace Now
With the warm weather on its way, now is the perfect time to start planning your outdoor fireplace. Talk to our talented designers today or book an appointment at our exclusive fireplace studio to learn more.