Fire Pits, Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens: Planning a Backyard Living Space in Sherwood, WI

Some of our favorite Fox Valley projects start with a simple wish: "We want to turn our backyard into a place we never want to leave." Near Sherwood and the High Cliff area along Lake Winnebago, that often means a gathering space built around fire and food — a fire pit for cool Wisconsin evenings, a fireplace as a focal point, or a full outdoor kitchen for entertaining. At ArtScapes Custom Outdoor Creations, we've been designing and building these outdoor living spaces since 1993. Here's how to plan one, and what it costs in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• A built-in fire pit costs $325–$2,000 on its own, or $2,200–$6,800 as part of a stone patio installation, according to HomeGuide 2026 data.
• An outdoor fireplace runs $3,000–$15,000 — more than a fire pit, but a dramatic focal point that blocks wind and radiates heat in one direction.
• Outdoor kitchens range from $7,000 to $35,000+, with built-in grills alone running $3,000–$20,000.
• The best outdoor rooms are designed as one cohesive space, with fire and kitchen features integrated into the patio from the start — not added as afterthoughts.
• Wisconsin's climate makes these true three-season spaces, and a fire feature extends how late into fall you can enjoy them.

Fire Pit vs. Outdoor Fireplace: Which Fits Your Yard?

Both bring warmth and a natural gathering point, but they serve different styles of entertaining.

Fire Pits ($325–$6,800)

A fire pit is social and open — everyone gathers around it, making it ideal for larger groups. Per HomeGuide, a custom built-in fire pit costs $325 to $2,000 on its own, while a stone patio built with an integrated fire pit runs $2,200 to $6,800 for the combined installation. Fuel choice affects the price and the experience:

• Wood-burning: $500–$6,000 installed — classic crackle and aroma, more cleanup.
• Propane: $900–$2,000 installed — clean, instant, and portable-tank simple.
• Natural gas: $3,500–$8,000 installed — a permanent line means never refilling a tank.
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Outdoor Fireplaces ($3,000–$15,000)

An outdoor fireplace is a statement. It stands vertical, blocks wind, radiates heat in one direction, and creates an intimate, room-like feel — perfect against a patio edge or as the anchor of a seating area. It costs more than a fire pit and offers less all-around seating, but nothing matches it as a visual centerpiece. Many of the "backyard oasis" projects we design in the Sherwood and High Cliff area are built around exactly this kind of focal point.

Outdoor Kitchens: From Grill Station to Full Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen turns a patio into a genuine entertaining hub. According to HomeGuide, outdoor kitchens range widely based on scope:

The individual components add up, so it helps to know where the money goes:

• Built-in grill: $3,000–$20,000
• Countertops: $40–$200 per square foot
• Cabinets and drawers: $900–$4,000
• Refrigerator: $675–$2,500
• Pizza oven: $1,200–$6,000
• Framework construction: $200–$700 per linear foot



Source: HomeGuide 2026 outdoor kitchen cost data

The smart approach is to decide how you actually entertain. A grill island with counter space and a fridge covers most families beautifully; a pizza oven, sink, or bar seating are upgrades you can plan for now and phase in later.

Designing One Cohesive Space

The biggest mistake we see is treating fire features and kitchens as add-ons bolted onto an existing patio. The outdoor rooms that feel effortless are the ones designed as a whole from the start — where the patio size, traffic flow, seating zones, fire feature, and kitchen all relate to one another and to the house.

That planning is where materials, sightlines, and function come together: a fireplace positioned to shelter the seating from the prevailing wind, a grill placed so smoke drifts away from guests, a patio sized so a dining set and a fire circle don't crowd each other. Because ArtScapes designs and builds with one crew and one standard, the fire feature, kitchen, and hardscape are engineered together rather than pieced out to separate trades.

Built for Wisconsin

Outdoor living here has to respect the climate. A few things we build in from the start:

• Freeze-thaw-ready construction. Fire features and kitchen framework sit on properly built, drained footings and bases so they don't shift with our roughly 40–60 inch frost line.
• Gas and utility lines. Natural gas fire features and kitchen appliances need proper lines and, in many Fox Valley municipalities, permits — which we coordinate.
• Three-season enjoyment. A fire feature is what stretches your season, keeping the space comfortable from early spring through those crisp fall nights near the lake.
• Durable materials. Natural stone, quality pavers, and weather-rated surfaces stand up to Wisconsin winters year after year.

Planning Your Backyard Oasis

Because a full outdoor living space is a larger investment — most Fox Valley backyard transformations start around $10,000 and grow with features — it pays to plan well. Start with our guide to the landscape design process, and if a new patio is the foundation, the paver patio cost guide will help you budget the base of the space. You can also explore our fireplaces and fire pits and paver patio work online.

Dreaming of a backyard you never want to leave? Call ArtScapes at 920-422-0133 for a free design consultation in Sherwood and across the Fox Valley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does it cost to add a fire pit to a patio?

A: A custom built-in fire pit costs $325 to $2,000 on its own, and a stone patio built with an integrated fire pit runs about $2,200 to $6,800 for the combined installation in 2026. Natural gas fire pits with a permanent line run higher, around $3,500 to $8,000.

Q: Is a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace better?

A: It depends on how you entertain. A fire pit is open and social, seating everyone around it, and costs less ($325–$6,800). An outdoor fireplace ($3,000–$15,000) is a dramatic focal point that blocks wind and radiates heat in one direction, ideal for a cozier, room-like feel.

Q: How much does an outdoor kitchen cost in Wisconsin?

A: Outdoor kitchens generally run $7,000 to $35,000, with luxury builds reaching $65,000. A built-in BBQ island starts around $3,000–$10,000, while a mid-sized custom kitchen falls between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on appliances and finishes.

Q: Can I use an outdoor living space year-round in the Fox Valley?

A: These are best thought of as three-season spaces in Wisconsin. A fire pit or fireplace meaningfully extends the season into the cooler weeks of spring and fall, though deep winter use is limited by our climate.

Q: Do outdoor fire features and kitchens need permits?

A: Often, yes — especially for natural gas lines and permanent structures. Requirements vary by municipality across the Fox Valley, and ArtScapes coordinates the permitting and utility work as part of the project.