Located off this home’s great room, a basket of blankets keeps the lounging area comfortable well into the fall.

Designers Sarah Richardson and Natalie Hodgins sit with homeowner Susan Sinclair-Brockelsby and her daughter, Lauren next to a rugged fieldstone fireplace. The space is approached as an extension of the interior, equipped with a cosy striped rug, cushions handsomely upholstered in indoor-outdoor fabrics, and woven textures for added warmth.

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A warm spot for Vancouver summer night.

When night falls, guests instinctively congregate at this Tony Robins-designed firepit, which acts as an outdoor living room. Pops of colour in the accessories add tropical flair.

The silver quartzite stone above the fireplace adds texture and natural sparkle.

A 16-foot-tall chimney rises from the site of the former indoor fireplace. Support beams that cantilever outward from the main floor help and delineate this outdoor room.

Create a year-round outdoor space.

A striking outdoor fireplace stretches up to the ceiling on this covered sandstone kitchen terrace. A shallow bench lets guests get close to warmth while meals are being cooked on the Kalamazoo charcoal barbecue.

Consider a fireplace and built-in barbecue for outdoor spaces.

A monolithic granite fireplace rises up on the shores of artist Martha Sturdy’s cottage in British Columbia. Martha and her husband David Wardle added the patio and built-in barbecue to the Preston Island property, but left the exterior unchanged. Flats of thyme grown by Martha’s son, Jordan, are planted between the rocks to give off a fragrant aroma.

Discover more outdoor rooms in our photo gallery.

Use accent pillows and throws outside for a comfortable space.

A double-sided fireplace gets extra credit for keeping guests warm on the patio as well as inside on a cool nights. A unique herringbone pattern makes this chimney breast particularly eye-catching. A pair of arm chairs and a small table are all that’s required for complete relaxation.

See more inspiring backyards in our photo gallery.

Designer Anna Simone created this inviting private courtyard.

A steel “urban fireplace” filled with candles transforms a carport wall and adjoining fences into a magical outdoor room. Understated woven furniture offers comfortable but streamlined seating.

Modern furniture, horizontal fencing and smart landscaping give this backyard serious style.

A sleek, open gas fireplace divides the seating and dining area patio. Ruffling sailcloth canopies provide shade and give the space an intimate feel.

A romantic urban patio mimics a traditional great room.

Toronto interior designer Sharon Mimran took a formal approach when designing this ethanol-burning fireplace in her own backyard.  “I wanted the exterior to look as if it were a part of the interior design. All of the elements I used inside the house — mouldings, panelling, mirrors — I used in the yard,” she explains. A weatherproof faux-limestone resin mantel stands up to harsh weather. Take a video tour through Sharon Mimran’s home.

See more pools, patios and gardens in our Inspiring Backyards photo gallery.

Spare architecture and a crisp palette shine in this exterior.

This fireplace serves as the main focal point in this Ontario cottage pool house, an effect emphasized by strong vertical lines that draw the eye up to the peaked roof. A pile of chopped wood sits close at hand on chilly nights.

Long, horizontal lines give a modern look in HGTV host Peter Fallico’s backyard.

A low, circular Turkish grill breaks up the strong horizontal lines in this patio space, which includes a lounge and bar area. The grill can be used as a barbecue or fire pit, and its copper hue complements the woodgrain.