Fireplace, Sauna, Spa or Pool: What’s Right for Your Outdoor Space?

Designing your dream outdoor area means deciding how you want to use your backyard. Do you picture cosy evenings by the fire, refreshing morning swims, or soothing end-of-day spa sessions? Maybe even the wellness experience with a sauna?

Each of these backyard features; fireplace, sauna, spa, and pool, offers its own benefits. But which one suits your lifestyle and section best? Let’s compare how they can transform an outdoor space and what to consider when choosing.

Outdoor Fireplace: The All-Season Entertainer

If your idea of outdoor living is about atmosphere, connection, and extending your time outside, a fireplace is hard to beat.

A Trendz outdoor fireplace becomes the heart of the space, a place to gather, cook, or simply unwind. It offers warmth and ambience through every season and requires far less maintenance than water-based features.

An outdoor fireplace is best for:

• Year-round entertaining
• Creating a design focal point
• Low-maintenance ambience and warmth
• Increases your homes value

Think of it as: The feature that turns your patio into an outdoor living room (or kitchen).

Price point: Ranges from $7,000 to $50,000+

Check out Trendz range of outdoor fireplaces, there’s one to suit any backyard from the more compact Mini Burton, 1.4 meters wide, through to the statement, Twin Peak, 4.15 metres wide.

Sauna: The Wellness Retreat

A sauna brings a sense of ritual and retreat to your backyard. For those focused on wellness, recovery, and relaxation, it’s an incredible addition. It’s compact, energy-efficient, and perfect for colder climates where you want to warm up rather than cool off.

A sauna is best for:

• Wellness-focused lifestyles
• Cold-climate comfort
• Compact spaces
  
  

Consider: Saunas are more private experiences, they’re for quiet moments, not group entertaining.

Price point: From $5,000+

We love the Barrel Sauna by Alpine Spas, a fellow New Zealand made and operated business. It’s quick to heat, crafted for our conditions, and built to comfortably fit up to six adults.

Spa: The Everyday Escape

A spa or hot tub is often the middle ground between social and soothing. It’s great for relaxing alone or chatting with friends after a long day. With temperature control, you can use it year-round — especially when paired with a fireplace for post-soak warmth.

A hot Tub/Spa is best for:

• Relaxation and recovery
• Smaller groups or families
• All-season comfort
  
  

Consider: Requires ongoing maintenance, water care, and power but offers daily luxury in return.

Price point: From $5,000+

We love Hot Springs range of spas, with 2–4 person and 4–6 person options, along with innovative power-saving technology and intuitive design that makes daily use effortless.

Plunge Pool: The Modern Middle Ground

Compact, stylish, and refreshingly versatile,  the plunge pool has become one of the most sought-after backyard features in recent years. Smaller than a traditional pool but larger (and cooler) than a spa, a plunge pool offers the best of both worlds.

It’s perfect for smaller spaces or for those who want the visual and lifestyle appeal of a pool without the large footprint. Add heating and you can enjoy it year-round, cooling off in summer or soaking in warm water by the fire in winter.

A plunge pool is best for:

• Compact outdoor areas
• Low-maintenance cooling and soaking
• Year-round use with heating
  
  

Consider: While they’re not ideal for laps or large groups, plunge pools deliver big on design impact and relaxation value.

Think of it as: The minimalist, modern way to add water and luxury without the size or cost of a traditional pool.

Price point: From $25,000+

We love Tiny Pools, a New Zealand company based in Mount Maunganui, known for their beautifully engineered compact pools that make a big design impact. Built for small spaces and easy installation, their range combines smart design with effortless style, ideal alongside a Trendz fireplace.

Swimming Pool: The Lifestyle Statement

A pool instantly turns your backyard into a destination. It’s perfect for families, fitness, and summer entertaining. But it’s also the biggest investment — in cost, space, and upkeep. Many homeowners now pair pools with fire features or spas to make the area more usable outside the warmer months.

A swimming pool is best for:

• Warm-climate homes
• Families and entertainers
• Summer enjoyment
  
  

Consider: Higher installation and maintenance costs, and limited seasonal use in cooler regions.

Price point: Ranges from $45,000 to $100,000+

We admire Compass Pools for their quality construction and custom design options, helping homeowners achieve that resort-style look with durability built for New Zealand conditions. For Australia, the Plungie Pools brand is a great option, as featured on The Block as seen below.

So, Which Should You Choose?

There’s no single “best” option, it depends on how you want to live outdoors, your space and your budget:

• Love hosting? Go for a fireplace, it draws people in year-round.
• Chasing calm and recovery? A sauna offers everyday wellness.
• Want a mix of relaxation and social time? A spa fits perfectly.
• Dreaming of resort-style living? A pool makes the biggest splash.
  
  

For many homeowners, starting with a fireplace lays the foundation, a centrepiece you can build around later with a spa or pool to create a layered outdoor experience.

Creating a Space That Grows With You

Outdoor spaces evolve. You might begin with a fireplace and seating area, then add a spa or plunge pool over time. The key is designing with flexibility; choosing timeless materials, smart positioning, and features that complement each other in both function and style.

At Trendz, we see how a fireplace often becomes the anchor that ties everything together; the warmth, the light, and the atmosphere that make an outdoor area feel complete.

Ready to start planning your outdoor space?

Explore the Trendz Outdoor Fireplace range and see how it can form the foundation for your perfect backyard retreat, view our inspiration gallery page.