An outdoor fireplace is more than a heat source — it’s the architectural centerpiece of your outdoor living space. When designed well, it defines the character of the entire environment, creates a natural gathering point, and adds a warmth and elegance to your property that few other features can match. Here are some of the outdoor fireplace styles and design concepts we’ve built for Oklahoma homeowners.
Classic Stone Fireplace
Nothing says “outdoor living” quite like a full-masonry stone fireplace. Built from natural limestone, fieldstone, or stacked slate with a solid masonry firebox and flue, a stone outdoor fireplace is genuinely architectural — it looks like it belongs on the property permanently and adds that sense of history and permanence that manufactured alternatives can’t replicate.
Oklahoma limestone in warm cream and tan tones pairs beautifully with the natural landscape of northeast Oklahoma. A stone fireplace with a simple cedar mantel and a wide hearth creates a classic, inviting focal point that works with virtually every outdoor living style — from rustic farmhouse to transitional contemporary.
Cost range: $15,000–$35,000 installed depending on stone type, height, and mantel detailing.
Stucco and Block with Stone Veneer
A cost-effective alternative to full masonry, stucco-over-block construction with a stone veneer face delivers excellent visual results at a more accessible price point. The structural block provides a solid, weather-resistant substrate; the stone veneer (natural or manufactured) provides the aesthetic finish. This approach allows more design flexibility in color and texture than a full natural stone build.
Cost range: $10,000–$25,000 installed depending on size and veneer selection.
Modern Linear Fireplace
For contemporary and modern home styles, a linear gas fireplace — a wide, horizontal firebox with clean lines and minimal surround — creates a dramatic visual statement without the traditional fireplace silhouette. These are often set into a full-height feature wall of stacked stone or large-format porcelain tile, flanked by built-in storage or display niches. The effect is strikingly modern and pairs perfectly with the clean-lined architectural styles popular in newer south Tulsa developments.
Linear fireplaces are always gas-fired — the clean, horizontal form doesn’t accommodate a wood-burning firebox effectively. This is actually an advantage for many homeowners who prefer the convenience of gas: no wood stacking, no ash cleanup, instant ignition.
Two-Sided (See-Through) Fireplace
A two-sided or “see-through” outdoor fireplace serves two seating areas simultaneously — perhaps a formal dining area on one side and a casual lounge area on the other. This is an excellent design solution for larger outdoor spaces with distinct zones that benefit from a shared fire feature. The visual effect — fire visible through a wall from both sides — is also striking.
Outdoor Fireplace Walls
The most dramatic — and highest-investment — outdoor fireplace configuration is a full-height fireplace wall: a masonry structure that spans the width of the patio (or a significant portion of it) incorporating the firebox, flanking storage, potential TV mounting, built-in seating, and often an outdoor kitchen element. These structures become the definitive architectural statement of the entire outdoor living environment and are the projects that most clearly differentiate premium outdoor living from standard backyard improvements.
Fireplace walls in the $30,000–$80,000+ range are increasingly common in the luxury home market in south Tulsa, Bixby, and south Broken Arrow. When executed well, they represent the pinnacle of outdoor living design.
Gas vs. Wood-Burning Outdoor Fireplaces
Gas: Instant on/off, no ash or smoke management, lower maintenance, more consistent flame. Natural gas supply needed (or propane tank). Works beautifully under covered patios without smoke issues.
Wood-burning: Traditional experience, crackling fire, aromatic wood smoke. Requires proper airflow and a taller chimney system. Cannot be used directly under a covered patio without a certified wood-burning enclosure with proper clearances. Many Oklahoma homeowners love the traditional experience; others prefer the convenience of gas.
Design Your Outdoor Fireplace
VistaScapes & Design designs and builds custom outdoor fireplaces throughout Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore, and surrounding northeast Oklahoma communities. We bring design concepts and material samples to your free consultation and build every fireplace to last for decades. Call (918) 779-1317 or request your consultation today.
