Fire Pits, Fireplaces and Friends
Fire, as one of the four basic elements of nature, makes a wonderful addition to your landscape. Fire adds excitement and drama and can add a functional feature as well to your outdoor living space.
An outdoor fireplace, fire pit or fire feature instantly makes the yard the place where everyone wants to gather. Your fire feature can be the focal point of your backyard, bringing friends and family together to bask in the warmth and beauty. Whether you want a fire for roasting marshmallows, to add drama or to help keep warm on chilly evenings, there are some great options to choose from.
When choosing a fire element for your backyard, keep in mind the importance of scale. Your fire feature should be big enough to provide heat, light and ambiance, but not so large it overwhelms the space. Here are some options you might consider:
Chimineas
These cute, little free-standing fireplace/ovens can add both ambiance and warmth to your outdoor environment. They can be portable and it’s easy to find a size and style to fit your outdoor space. Chimineas are perfect for roasting marshmallows or for heating up your patio.
Fire Pits
The designs for fire pits are limitless. From free-standing bowls to stone or brick fire ring structures, you are certain to find a design to suit your yard. Building your own fire pit is a great (and not too difficult) DIY project. There are many plans available on how to build your own. If you want a more modern twist on your fire pit, there are some very unique fire features that include coffee tables with miniature fire pits in the center, in a variety of shapes and styles. You’ll find square coffee tables with a square center fire pit, rectangular tables with long troughs of flames for a very modern design, and even “fire water” right in the center of the table.
Fireplaces
A very popular trend these days is to build a traditional, free-standing fireplace. Create an entire outdoor room by surrounding your fireplace with comfortable furniture. The fireplace can be brick, stone, marble or a combination. You will find yourself spending more time outdoors and the fireplace is sure to attract a crowd. A nicely built outdoor fireplace will also increase your home’s resale value.
Regardless of the fire feature you choose, remember to keep flames away from combustible surfaces, like furniture or stored wood, and never leave your fire unattended. Adding fire to your yard will extend your outdoor fun from all day long into the night.
