Here at Trendz Fireplaces, we work closely with landscape designers, builders and architects who help create outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and functional. We pride ourselves on offering outdoor fireplaces that don’t just look good, but are designed to perform, enhancing how outdoor areas are used year-round.
With this in mind, we caught up with Sandra Batley, founder and director of Flourish Garden Concepts, in Auckland. With over 25 years’ experience as a landscape designer, Sandra specialises in creating thoughtful, functional garden designs tailored to each client’s lifestyle and outdoor space.
Q: When designing residential gardens, how do you approach outdoor living spaces and what are homeowners prioritising most right now?
Sandra: I always start by thinking about how people actually want to use their garden day to day, not just how it looks. Combining functionality and aesthetic and of course working with their budget is key. Outdoor spaces are very much an extension of the home now, they add value to the property as well as enjoyment. Homeowners are prioritising comfort, warmth, and spaces they can use year-round, whether that’s entertaining friends, relaxing with family, or just winding down at the end of the day.
Sandra: Placement is really important. I think about scale, and how people move through the space, what the main views are, and how the fireplace will be used. Wind direction, shelter, and proximity to seating all play a big role, as well as making sure it feels connected to the house without being too close. You want it to feel inviting, practical, and easy to gather around.
Sandra: It needs to be considered early in the design process. When the fireplace is planned from the start, it can be built into the layout, materials, and overall flow of the garden. Things like paving, seating, planting, and lighting are all designed around it, so it feels like a natural focal point, the heart of the outdoor space rather than something that’s been dropped in afterwards.
Q: Why is collaboration between landscape designers and outdoor fireplace suppliers important for achieving the best outcome?
Sandra: Good collaboration makes a huge difference. Fireplace suppliers understand the technical side, while landscape designers focus on how everything works together visually and practically. When both are involved early, it helps avoid issues later and ensures the fireplace not only functions well but also suits the style, scale, and feel of the garden.
Q: What advice would you give homeowners considering an outdoor fireplace as part of their garden design?
Sandra: Think about how you’ll actually use it and design around that. Consider seating, shelter, and how it fits into the overall layout of your garden. It’s also worth getting good advice early, so it’s designed properly from the start, when done well, an outdoor fireplace can completely transform how often and how long you use your outdoor space.
Trendz fireplaces in real outdoor spaces
These insights highlight just how unique every backyard is, and why planning from the beginning is so important. Trendz outdoor fireplaces are designed to meet both functional and aesthetic needs, with a high level of customisation to suit the overall landscape design.
A great example of this is the Hudson outdoor fireplace.
Sayburn Miller & Shaping Nature worked together to create a beautiful inner-city, cottage-style garden, complemented by a brick-clad Hudson outdoor fireplace that feels right at home within the space.
In contrast, the same Hudson fireplace was used by Strachan Group Landscape Architects to create a modern feature, finished in paint and plaster. This approach highlights the Hudson’s striking silhouette while also adding warmth & privacy to the outdoor dining area.
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