Dispelling Myths about Outdoor Design #1- Corner Fireplaces

Tags: | | |

Building a Fireplace in a Corner at 45° “Wastes” Space- Not Saves It

Myth 1: You need a specially designed “corner fireplace” to put a fireplace in a corner.

One prevalent misconception in outdoor space design is the existence of a specially designed corner fireplace. Nothing is further from the truth. You can add superfluous outer walls to a firebox to make it “fit” in a corner in different ways, but the firebox and chimney design are the same as a standard firebox and chimney. Therefore, you end up wasting space behind and to the sides af a fireplace crammed in the corner at 45° angle.

  • Common Belief: There are fireplaces specifically designed for corner placement.
  • Reality: Any regular fireplace can be turned 45° for corner installation.

If you must put your fireplace in a corner, please use the measurements as a guide to help you lay out and position your firebox. We do not recommend caddy-corner placement to save space but only for a design choice. Note the lost triangles of space behind and beside the fireplace in the corner. Ironically, the larger footprint allows for more seating room as the front of the fireplace is longer and, therefore, pulled further forward from the corner. This setup is more functional but wastes more space.

Many people are under the impression that corner fireplaces are a distinct category of products designed specifically for corner use. In truth, a corner fireplace is typically just a standard fireplace positioned at a 45-degree angle. This revelation often broadens design possibilities without the need for specialized equipment.

Myth 2: You’ll save tons of space by putting a fireplace in a corner.

  • Perceived Benefit: Corner placement seems like a space-saving strategy.
  • Actual Outcome: This configuration can lead to underutilized and awkwardly shaped outdoor spaces.
  • Fireplaces want a semi-circle seating area
  • Corner Fireplaces cramp your seating area

Turning a fireplace 45 degrees might appear to be a clever way to conserve space, but this often isn’t the case. The corner placement can lead to inefficient use of the area, making it feel more confined and less inviting. It’s totally acceptable to have a small patio. There are plenty of ways to make small patios functional- even with large features such as outdoor fireplaces. What you want to avoid is a cramped patio space.

This patio is only 14′ deep. Yet the space does not feel cramped- even when the fireplace stretches from one side to the other.

Myth 3: More space can be saved by adding a corner grill station to a Corner Fireplace

  • Adding Connected Grill Stations MUST save even more space: Incorporating grill stations alongside a corner fireplace is a way to combine features with a potential for saving space. But it is better used for layout flexibility. It does not work in a corner setup.
  • Space and Functionality Issues Multiply: This setup can crowd the space, uncomfortably mixing the cooking and lounging areas.
Corner Fireplace Myths
Adding grill stations to a corner fireplace further cramps the space making functional use challenging.

An extension of this misconception is that you can save more space by adding connected grill stations — “wings” with grills and ovens — to a corner fireplace. This arrangement may seem efficient but usually results in a cramped space. Guests gathered around the fireplace may find themselves uncomfortably close to the cooking area, disrupting both the relaxation and cooking experiences. In reality, separating these two features gives you more placement options. This flexibility allows you more freedom to set up a small patio where space and layout options are a challenge.

Get More Use From Your Corner with a Corner Kitchen

A corner kitchen doesn’t require the amount of seating that a fireplace “living room” does. You can put an outdoor kitchen in the corner to open up space elsewhere in your patio for a fireplace. You can always use a simple corner-shaped grill island or opt for a fully decked-out kitchen with a fridge, bar, and outdoor seating.

Compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen with wrap-around bar, 32” gas grill, and wood-fired pizza oven, designed for angled corner placement.

L-Shaped Corner Outdoor Kitchen with Bar, Grill, and Pizza Oven

This compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen layout features a wrap-around bar, 32” gas grill, and wood-fired pizza oven, perfect for a corner placement in small outdoor spaces.

Learn More
Compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen with wrap-around bar, 26” gas grill, and Kamado smoker, designed for angled corner placement.

Compact Outdoor Kitchen with Bar, Grill, and Kamado for Corner

This L-shaped outdoor kitchen includes a wrap-around bar, gas grill, and Kamado smoker, perfect for a compact corner placement

Learn More
Compact outdoor kitchen with wrap-around bar and wood-fired pizza oven in a 45-degree angled corner layout

Compact Angled Outdoor Kitchen with Bar and Pizza Oven

This compact outdoor kitchen layout features a wrap-around bar and wood-fired pizza oven, ideal for small spaces and corner placements.

Learn More
Compact outdoor kitchen with wrap-around bar and Kamado smoker in a 45-degree angled corner layout.

Compact Angled Outdoor Kitchen with Bar and Kamado Smoker

This compact outdoor kitchen features a wrap-around bar and Kamado smoker, perfect for small spaces and corner placements.

Learn More
Compact angled outdoor kitchen island with wrap-around bar and 26” gas grill for small spaces or corner placement

Compact Angled Outdoor Kitchen Island with Bar and Gas Grill

This compact outdoor kitchen island with a wrap-around bar and gas grill fits perfectly at a 45-degree angle for small spaces or corner areas.

Learn More
Compact L-shaped wood-fired outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, Kamado smoker, and storage, ideal for small patios and wood-fired cooking.

Compact L-Shaped Wood-Fired Kitchen with Pizza Oven and Kamado

This compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen features dual wood-fired cooking with a pizza oven and Kamado smoker, plus built-in storage.

Learn More
Spacious L-shaped outdoor kitchen with wood-fired pizza oven, combo grill, and ample drawer storage, perfect for large gatherings.

L-Shaped Outdoor Kitchen with Pizza Oven and Combo Grill Island

A spacious L-shaped outdoor kitchen featuring a wood-fired pizza oven, combo grill island, and drawer storage—perfect for large gatherings and versatile cooking.

Learn More
Ultra-compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen with Kamado and 26

Compact L-Shaped Kitchen with Kamado and Grill for Narrow Patios

An ultra-compact outdoor kitchen, under 6 feet deep, featuring a Kamado and 26″ grill—ideal for narrow patios.

Learn More
Skinny L-shaped outdoor kitchen with Kamado and grill island with storage, perfect for narrow patio spaces

Skinny L-Shaped Kitchen for Narrow Patios with Kamado and Grill Island

This skinny L-shaped outdoor kitchen is perfect for narrow patios, featuring a Kamado, grill, and built-in storage.

Learn More
Compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen with Kamado and 26

Compact L-Shaped Kitchen Layout with Kamado and 26″ Grill Island

This compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen layout combines wood-fired and gas grilling for big flavors in a small footprint.

Learn More
Compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen with Kamado, grill, and storage drawer, ideal for small patio spaces.

Compact L-Shaped Outdoor Kitchen Idea with Kamado Smoker and Grill Island

This compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen brings versatile cooking to small spaces, featuring a Kamado, grill, and storage drawer.

Learn More
Compact L-shaped outdoor kitchen with grill island and Kamado, ideal for small patio spaces.

Compact L-Shaped Outdoor Kitchen with Grill Island and Kamado

Learn More

Navigating Functionality and Space Concerns

  • Balancing Needs: Consider the practical aspects of lounging and cooking in your design.
  • Visual Clarity: Keep the fireplace as a distinct focal point without overcrowding it with functional elements like grills.

When designing an outdoor space, it’s crucial to balance aesthetics with functionality. A fireplace should serve as a comfortable gathering point, and its purpose shouldn’t be overshadowed by integrating too many functions into a confined area. Maintaining clear zones for cooking and lounging ensures that both activities can be enjoyed without encroaching on each other. This is especially important where space is limited. In these cases, it is almost best to separate the two spaces to give you more flexibility in placement so you can maximize the function of your small outdoor space.

Conclusion: Smart Design Over Space Myths In outdoor space design, it’s essential to debunk myths and understand the realities of space usage. A corner fireplace, while an option, isn’t always a space-saving solution, especially when combined with additional elements like grill stations. Thoughtful design, which considers the separate needs of cooking and relaxation areas, will lead to a more enjoyable and functional outdoor living space. Remember, good design is about smartly utilizing space, not just about fitting everything into it.

Related Posts

Fireplace-Build-Hearth

When it comes to business, time is money! Get in, get out, and get paid quickly with our professional-grade outdoor living kits- FREE Shipping

Working in the garden is relaxing and has many health benefits.

Learn to Enhance your outdoor living space with strategic plant choices. Softscaping is the soul of your outdoor living and patio areas.

Summerset Sizzler 32" grill burner detail

Get it right the first time: make the right grill choice to save time and money. Don't let an old grill limit your design.

Bremley TV-Deluxe-Estate Fireplace kit

Time to build your fireplace! You finished your foundation, and it is perfect. Now you are ready for the fun part. The build will go…

Scroll to Top