This DIY modular outdoor fireplace was installed in a project for my Garden Police Show.
I like it enough to put one in my yard!
I installed a modular fireplace made by Mirage Stone in my outdoor kitchen area, customized it and am amazed how easy it was to put together!
It’s the perfect weekend DIY project when you want a huge payoff with minimal work.
Playing a board game under the stars and in front of a roaring fire makes me feel like I’m on vacation!
The fireplace was shipped to my house in a large box that contained several numbered pieces and easy to read instructions.
The beauty of this particular model is that no mortar is needed to hold the fireplace together.
The pieces are all cut and mitered to fit together like a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle and takes about an hour to install with the help of a second person.
It took me a little longer because, being a landscape designer, I felt compelled to add my own touch to the mass produced fireplace and customize it!
I built a poured-in place concrete base to elevate the fireplace to new heights.
The Mirage Stone fireplace stands at about six feet when completed, but I wanted a taller fireplace for this particular site.
Since my patio slab was already poured and the idea to construct a base for the fireplace, an afterthought, I drilled rebar into the slab and the wall to secure it to the base.
Fortunately, I already had a natural gas line plumbed under the slab so all I had to do was to extend the pipe up to where the fireplace would sit.
Poured in place concrete base with rebar raised the fireplace another two-and-a-half feet.
The new base was made wider and deeper than the fireplace, extending the hearth area and providing a solid and balanced base for the fireplace to sit on.
As a finishing touch, I veneered the base with “Sweetwater” flagstone, a stone that I used throughout my hardscape to tie it all together.
For a fraction of the cost of a custom-made fireplace, I now have an attractive outdoor fireplace to enjoy on a cool night.
I won’t wait for it to get “cold,” any night under 75 degrees, I’m turning it on!
If you are inspired, Costco sells Mirage Stone Fireplaces online for about $1800 delivered to your door.
You can even request a grill and use it for cooking too.
I’m very happy with my pre-fab fireplace, especially since it has a few of my own touches.
Adding veneer to a ready-made fireplace gives it a nice finishing touch.
Check out some of the designs from my show, Garden Police on the Discovery Home Channel where we used pre-made outdoor fireplaces:
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@CynthiaNielsonBee
Oh, I wish you didn’t have to go through all that structural prep but blame it on the cold weather!We are very spoiled in LA with warm weather round the clock. You would be a great candidate for a portable fire table. Put away when it gets cold!
Oh, I wish you didn’t have to go through all that structural prep but blame it on the cold weather!
We are very spoiled in LA with warm weather round the clock. You would be a great candidate for a portable fire table. Put away when it gets cold!
The problem isn’t the snow and rain- it’s the frozen ground. We’d have to put footings 24″ underground to support any kind of permanent structure like the fireplace. Don’t get me wrong- I’d totally do it if I could afford one in our budget, it just wouldn’t be a quick weekend project is all. Even so, this modular option is STILL less work than any other outdoor fireplace option. The upside is that, once installed, we’d get a lot more use out of it than warm-climate folks!
@GreenSoil Thanks! I have to write a post about this side yard area- I used a lot of non traditional materials to build the outdoor kitchen including my son’s marble collection for the “stone” counter!
love this post what a beautiful relaxing outdoor space
@CynthiaNielsonBee Hi Cynthia- Interestingly, here is a question on the Mirage Stone website asking about snow.
Can I burn in the snow or rain?
We have tested the fireplace with 10 inches of snow built up on the surface and burned until the snow was melted off, with no adverse reactions. Rain will not affect the fireplace.
Beautiful!~ I totally want one! Of course, install would be a little more work for those of us in areas where the ground freezes. Sigh. Seems like it’s always just a little more work here!
Thanks Linda. I’m showing it to a landscape client of mine as a “lower cost” alternative.
What a beautiful outdoor room you have. I want to come live in it!
I have looked at eco-friendly alternatives, so far I have installed solar panels on my home but while looking for a electric car I find the cost doesnt justify it for me. While I am passionate about making green choices whenever possible it is up to people like you and I to spread awareness and let the companies know there is a demand. Your website looks popular and I think you can help influence society with your insight and eco tips. by the way I found your site by searching Customized Mirage Stone Outdoor Fireplace | Eden Makers Blog and you were the first result. So I think your website is a good platform to discuss ideas that are thought provoking and influence your readers to go green. – Good luck with your site, you deserve it! Please continue to talk about more eco-tips, every idea helps us get closer day by day!
Great post. I found it to be very useful. I will have to bookmark your site for future reading.