Outdoor heating ideas – 12 ways to make the most of your garden this autumn, no matter the temperature

As summer comes to an end, we're thinking about how we can continue enjoying our gardens into the autumn, even when there's a chill in the air. Luckily, there are plenty of outdoor heating ideas to help you squeeze in some extra time spent outside.

Whether you're looking for firepit ideas, the best patio heater for your space, or you want to install a fireplace as a more permanent feature, outdoor heating solutions provide comfort and style. A focalpoint fire is a timeless crowd-pleaser, adding ambience to garden gatherings, while outdoor heaters are available in a range of modern styles.

We've rounded up our favourite outdoor heating ideas to help you make the most of your garden this autumn.

Outdoor heating ideas

Deciding on which type of outdoor heating to opt for will depend on the size of your outdoor set-up and whether you want a permanent heating feature or a portable design that can be stored away when out of action.

Think about ease of use, too. Fire pits, baskets and burners require wood or solid fuel to burn, while gas-powered and electric heaters will provide warmth at the flick of a switch. As long as you avoid the worst places to put a patio heater, you're good to go.

If you need a little inspiration, take a look at our top twelve outdoor heating ideas to get you started...

1. Go for a classic fire pit

Perfect for hazy summer evenings or cosy autumn nights, fire pits are one of the most popular outdoor heating ideas. Who doesn't love huddling around a fire toasting marshmallows with family and friends?

'Fire pits are a great investment to keep warm and allow you to extend your garden time during the evenings,' say garden design experts at LightingLegends.com. 'Turn your summer seating area into a cosy cocoon by adding warm throws, blankets, cushions and outdoor rugs.'

Choosing one of the best fire pits on the market will help you get the most out of your garden year-round.

2. Enjoy instant heat with a gas heater

If a wood-burning fire pit is too much effort or too messy, consider a gas-fuelled fire that offers heat at the flick of a switch. Styles vary from simple fire pits and table-sized options to mini gas-fuelled pits that sit in the centre of a dining table.

The electric vs gas patio heater debate divides garden owners, but a gas heater is a great option if you're looking to cut down on smoke. 'Gas fire pits are slightly cleaner in terms of emissions, and it's also much easier to control how much gas you use on them to make heat,' says Nicholas Auckland, heating and energy expert at Trade Radiators.

Nicholas Auckland

Nicholas Auckland is a heating and energy expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry, as well as the Managing Director of Trade Radiators. Nicholas is dedicated to finding the best heating solutions for every need, as well as optimising energy usage, reducing costs and helping others live with lower costing energy bills.

3. Plug in an electric heater

If you'd rather skip the setup stage that comes with gas heaters, try an electric heater. With plenty of energy-efficient options and styles on the market, there's a product to suit every space, large or small.

'Electric heaters don't require setup via piping,' says Nicholas. 'Instead, they only need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to work. Plus, they have almost 100% energy conversion – nearly all of the electricity they use to be powered is converted into heat. Infrared heaters are an example of this.'

The Swan Column Patio Heater, pictured above, takes the top spot on our list of the best patio heaters as our favourite electric option.

4. Create a focal point fireplace

If you like to spend time outside all year round and you have the space for it as part of your patio ideas, then why not consider installing a permanent outdoor fireplace? A sheltered area or covered veranda makes the perfect location for an outdoor living room. Plus, installing a fireplace feature (or making use of an existing one) will keep the whole area warm and dry and extend the time you can use your outdoor space.

Outdoor fireplaces have much the same construction as indoor ones, with a flue to direct smoke up the chimney rather than out into the seating area. Designs can vary from elaborate brick-built set-ups, similar to indoor fireplaces, to outdoor kitchen-style grills and cooking spaces, simple chimineas or rustic wood burners.

‘The cost of building an outdoor fireplace might range from £600 upwards, depending on the type of fireplace you want to build,' says Harry Bodell, gardening expert at PriceYourJob. 'Alternatively, installing a small, pre-fabricated fireplace unit will be less expensive than constructing a massive handmade stone fireplace.’

5. Turn up the heat with a chiminea

If you're looking for small patio ideas, or you have an area further along the garden that could use a little heat, then consider a compact chiminea to warm up the space. Usually made from clay, cast iron or steel, chimineas are neat in size and take up a smaller footprint than similar garden fire pit ideas.

Chimineas are a traditional form of outdoor heating that originated in Mexico, with a traditional design of a round lower body topped by a vertical smokestack, and although modern variations of the design are available, they work in much the same way. The body of a chiminea will get quite hot, so it should be positioned on a heat-proof surface or tiled mat for safety.

6. Opt for a centrepiece stove

There’s nothing like a roaring fire to add instant atmosphere outdoors. If you’d prefer something more contained than a blazing open fire outdoors, a wood-burning stove is a good option that will throw out plenty of heat and make a stylish centrepiece for a patio or terrace.

Mesh doors, a metal grate and a chimney will encourage airflow and allow logs to burn more effectively, while the rusty-finish steel of this design adds a rustic charm which is perfect in a country setting. We love the style of the Wakehurst Wood Burner Fireplace from Gardenesque.

7. Add impact with a freestanding fireplace

While brick-built fireplaces make a fabulous focal point feature, they can be costly and will be a permanent fixture in an outdoor space, so this needs to be considered.

For a lighter-weight, moveable option, consider a freestanding fireplace which will provide an outdoor space with a centrepiece, but requires no permanent fixtures so can be easily moved around.

'Not only can a free-standing electric fireplace make a stylish addition to your patio, but it is a great way to heat up your patio efficiently without the hefty price tag, as there is little to no installation cost with this particular option,' says Georgina Read, director at Paving Superstore.

8. Keep it simple with a fire basket

Consider a simple fire basket for a fuss-free option that will provide plenty of heat for you to enjoy your garden seating ideas. Lightweight and easy to shift around should you want to move it or take it with you to the beach, a basket’s compact size makes it a good option for smaller spaces.

Make sure that any logs that you burn are dry and well-seasoned. Damp wood will smoke heavily and won’t get a good hot fire burning. Kiln-dried wood is a good option, but it can be a bit more expensive. Protect the surface underneath a fire basket or fire pit with paving slabs or stone.

‘Create a flexible entertaining space by making a fire pit the focal point and styling your seating around it,’ suggests Lucy Kirk, creative manager at Lights4fun. ‘Hang festoon lights from trees or your pergola and dress the floor with lanterns and candles to add light at varying heights and make your space feel bigger and brighter.’

This Verona Fire Basket from Dunelm has a simple design which looks stylish on a patio area.

9. Double-up with a dual purpose design

Flex your garden space by investing in a combination table with built-in firepit that guests can gather around after dark, like this Teamson Home Gas Fire Pit With Cover from Argos (it's on our list of the best fire pits).

The cover helps to keep the fire contained, and you can even control the size of the flames. When the firepit isn’t in use, it can be used as a regular coffee table.

10. Create a cosy corner plot

Be strategic with your outdoor seating set-up to create the cosiest arrangement and harness warmth from your heat source. A corner sofa or sectional seating can be arranged in an L-shape with a fire pit positioned centrally where you can benefit most from the heat.

Positioning furniture in front of fences and panels will also help to enclose the area. The smaller the enclosure, the warmer it will be. Add taller plants and foliage around the boundary as another way of screening off the space further.

11. Opt for an ‘incognito’ option

For a neat and discreet outdoor fire that blends in with its surroundings when not being used, you can’t beat a mini column-style fire pit like the Union Rustic Walstrand Propane Fire Column from Wayfair.

The heat source is gas-fuelled and operated at the flick of a switch, via a propane gas canister. But the best part of all is the column’s timber-effect finish. This creates the appearance of a wooden log, with a lid that fits on top, meaning it can double up as a side table when the flames are not in action.

12. Save space with a hanging heater

If lack of space is an issue or you want a heating source that can be kept well away from little ones or pets, then consider a hanging patio heater like this Kettler Kalos Copper Hanging Pendant Electric Patio Heater, available at John Lewis. This is suspended from the roof of a covered terrace or veranda and designed to look like a regular light fitting.

Electric hanging patio heaters radiate heat from above to warm anyone sitting or standing underneath. Heat is pretty much instant and because there is minimal heat loss, they can be a cost-effective option.

FAQs

What is the most efficient way to heat an outdoor space?

This depends on different factors, such as how much outdoor space you have, whether there is an outside power source and if you want your outdoor heating to be a permanent fixture or a portable option that is easily moved around.

'In terms of energy efficiency, the most energy efficient way to heat an outdoor space is by using infrared outdoor heaters,' says Nicholas from Trade Radiators. 'The majority of these heaters will turn 100% of the energy they use into radiant heat. Radiant heat directly warms people and objects rather than the surrounding air, so no heat is lost to open space.'

How do you heat a large space efficiently?

If you're hoping to heat a larger space in your garden but don't want to choose a heater that costs the earth, it's worth considering the most efficient options on the market.

'In terms of warming up the biggest space, gas heaters tend to be the best, unless you have an infrared outdoor heater that covers a lot of space,' says Nicholas. 'The only problem with gas heaters is that they're less energy efficient than electric heaters. They're also less efficient in terms of heat as the heat they create can escape into the air, unlike infrared heaters.'

Can you leave a patio heater outside in the rain?

Electric patio heaters should never be left out directly in the rain, especially while they are on and operating. Natural gas and propane heaters will continue to work in the rain, but frequent exposure to rain can cause interference with burners and make equipment rust, so covering them up will prevent unnecessary wear and tear.

While wood-burning fire pits can withstand some rain, if left outside in the elements too long they may rust, so again covering up is sensible.

Which of our favourite outdoor heating ideas will you be trying out?