Written by: Richard Disharoon
7 min read
An outdoor fire pit is a structure that safely contains a fire for warmth, ambiance, or even cooking in an outdoor setting. Outdoor fire pits are a popular addition to backyard spaces.
Benefits of Adding an Outdoor Fire Pit to Your Backyard
There are several benefits to adding an outdoor fire pit to your backyard, including extending the season to enjoy your outdoor space, expanding your entertainment space for friends, and boosting your home’s value.
Extend Your Outdoor Season into Fall and Winter
Fall weather in upstate New York is loaded with appeal. People travel from all over the country to appreciate the crisp air and gorgeous autumn colors. However, locals also know that fall nights can turn quite chilly, with temperatures dropping into the 30s and 40s. An outdoor fire pit can add a warm and inviting glow to a backyard and help extend your outdoor entertaining season far into the cooler months.
Create a Warm and Inviting Space for Family and Friends
According to the Mayo Clinic, adults who maintain strong friendships are more likely to have better health outcomes, including less depression and lower blood pressure. Spending time with friends and family is a great way to maintain the strong social bonds we need to thrive. A fire pit provides an easy place to entertain and a reason to invite friends over for a relaxing evening, no matter the weather.
Boost Your Home’s Value with a Luxury Backyard Design
A recent study found that real estate values can decline by up to 30% due to poor landscaping choices. It logically follows that a beautiful yard with carefully chosen aesthetic elements like an outdoor fire can help boost property values. A luxurious backyard where it is easy and fun to entertain can certainly be a selling point if you ever decide to move.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Fire Pit for Your Space
An outdoor fire pit can improve the comfort, style, and value of a backyard, but how does a homeowner go about choosing the right one? As with so many issues related to home design, it depends on personal taste, budget, and existing landscaping in the yard.
Gas Fire Pits vs. Wood Burning Fire Pits
The first choice homeowners may have to make is to narrow down their options between outdoor gas fire pits and wood burning fire pits. Gas fire pits typically require professional installation because of the need to run a natural or propane gas line. A gas fire pit does not generate smoke or embers, making it an overall safer choice if properly installed. When a gas fire pit is installed on a property, the property owners can also enjoy the convenience of turning the flame on and off, allowing the fire pit to be used at any time without much preparation.
Some wood fire pits are little more than a fire-resistant bowl or clay chiminea that homeowners can load with their own firewood. Easy to install and cost effective, wood fire pits give an authentic wood flame which creates a beautiful ambiance. Wood fire pits can be a great addition to any property but making sure that the necessary safety precautions of tending to a live flame is important to keep in mind.
Custom Designs to Fit Your Personal Style
A custom fire pit may be the best choice for a homeowner who has a very specific style in mind. A custom fire pit may use specific materials or colors, or it may be built into a patio, deck, or outdoor kitchen for maximum integration.
Safety Aspects to Consider
An open flame is always a safety hazard to some degree. No matter what type of fire pit a homeowner chooses, they should make sure that the right fuel is used, children are always supervised around the fire, and the flame is completely extinguished before leaving the yard.
Outdoor Fire Pit Landscape Ideas
It’s important to consider several factors when deciding how to incorporate an outdoor fire pit into a home’s landscaping, including how it integrates with current elements and how it will be used. Some landscape ideas include fire pits that are tucked away among lush greenery for a secluded feel, while others include a more open area with trees flanking the conversation pit.
Integrating Your Fire Pit with Existing Landscaping
No matter what type of yard you have, a fire pit can be seamlessly integrated into the landscape. Start by choosing a fire pit that matches the style of your home and surrounding landscaping. For instance, a sleek, modern gas fire pit may not be the best match for a Victorian-style home, while a custom fire pit could be made from materials that exactly match things like patio tiles and pool decks.
Add Seating and Lighting for Ambiance
A fire pit is a gathering place, which means seating and lighting are key for maximum enjoyment. A freestanding fire pit may be set on top of a flat, gravel space and surrounded by outdoor chairs that can be moved closer or farther from the fire, depending on the type of gathering and the weather. Gas pits built into the ground may benefit from built-in seating matching a patio or deck area.
While fire pits give off some light, additional lighting is required for nighttime entertaining. String lights, garden lights, and recessed lights built into surrounding hardscaping are all options for illumination.
Incorporating Hardscapes and Pathways Around the Fire Pit
It is also important that a fire pit is easy and safe to access, even at night. Smooth, well-lit pathways are a good option for making sure guests can easily access the fire pit. Pathways may be paved in flagstone, gravel, or even be simple manicured dirt.
Hardscaping can add to the appeal of a fire pit, as well. Built-in brick seating or a custom paved patio on which the fire pit can sit will add to a unified, warm feeling in the yard, no matter the weather.
Luxury Backyard Design Elements to Pair with Your Fire Pit
Creating a luxury backyard means ensuring that each element, from hardscaping to plantings to fire pits, works in harmony to create a space where people feel comfortable and relaxed.
Adding Outdoor Kitchens, Bars, and Dining Areas
Homeowners who choose a home with a large backyard want to take full advantage of every beautiful day. While a fire pit can certainly help, more luxurious additions are also available. An outdoor kitchen that includes a grill, cooktop, warming drawers, and refrigeration provides the height of luxury during the summer and spring. If a full kitchen is out of the question, a smaller wet bar with a sink and wine fridge is also a lovely addition. Pour guests a fresh glass and let them saunter over to the fire pit for more conversation.
Al fresco dining is another luxury in warm weather. Adding an outdoor dining area to an existing deck or patio with weather-safe table, chairs, and storage can help homeowners get the most out of their yards all year.
Water Features and Garden Accents
Water features, such as fountains, ponds, and waterfalls, are all luxurious elements that add a relaxing soundscape and can attract local wildlife, as well.
Steps to Building Your Custom Outdoor Fire Pit
Whether homeowners choose to install their own fire pits or hire a professional team, landscape designers and installers must follow certain steps to make sure all fire pits are safe.
Planning and Designing
The first step in building a custom outdoor fire pit is coming up with a design plan. If you plan to build an outdoor fire pit in your back yard on your own, be sure that you have the necessary skills to make a plan that meets your aesthetic needs while still being safe. Consultation with installation professionals, local permitting authorities, and utility companies may be required.
Selecting Materials
The appeal of custom fire pits is the ability to choose materials that precisely match the surrounding yard, home, and hardscaping elements that already exist. A custom fire pit may be built into the stone of a patio, poured from colored concrete, or created from bricks that match the house. Be sure to choose a material designed for exposure to extreme heat and consult professionals when necessary.
Begin Installation
With a plan in place and materials selected, it is time to install your fire pit. Some fire pits will simply sit on top of the planned patio or plaza while others will be built into the ground. Gas fire pits that need a natural gas source should be installed by professionals, based on the approval of local utility companies to ensure safety.
Contact Gallivan to Get Started on Your Project
The expert team at Gallivan Corporation can help you design a backyard oasis that perfectly incorporates a fire pit and whatever else will make your yard the yard of your dreams. Book a consultation with Gallivan today to get started.
