Summertime means long hours spent lounging on your patio soaking in the warm summer sun. But, despite summer nearing its end, the time you spend lounging on the patio doesn’t have to come to a close. With fall approaching, colder evenings are on the horizon, so if you’re still in summer mode, your patio may need some changes to keep you warm. Fire pits are an excellent option to stay warm, entertain guests, or create a personal oasis on your property!
Fire pits are where guests and homeowners gather for s’mores, new memories, and plenty of laughter. While entertaining, your guests will naturally gather into groups on your porch. To help divide your space for ideal entertaining, we recommend identifying specific conversation zones on your patio. This will help you determine where the best location for your fire pit will be. Additionally, assigning portions of your patio to suit particular needs helps to create a natural flow in your outdoor space. Situating a fire pit to the side instead of the middle of your patio typically provides an ideal balance between your landscape and hardscape areas.
When choosing where to build your new fire pit, aesthetics aren’t the only thing to consider. If your beloved fire feature isn’t installed in the correct location on your patio, you could risk a fire hazard. Some safety factors to consider are wind direction and severity, distance from home, and height of pit walls. Always check with your local government restrictions, Home Owners Association, and house deed to determine the safety regulations around fire pits.
Homeowners looking to add a fire feature to their property typically have three fuel options—wood, gas, or a hybrid of both. If you prefer a more traditional campfire smell and aesthetic, burning wood provides the quintessential atmosphere to satisfy outdoor enthusiasts. Alternatively, for a more contemporary look and less management, gas is an excellent choice. Finally, hybrid gas and timber fire pits are great choices if you’re in the middle and enjoy features from both wood and gas burning pits.
Adding texture to your home interior is decorating 101. The same applies to outdoor spaces! Different textures incorporated in your patio can provide an excellent dimension that perfectly compliments the surrounding natural landscape. Adding pillows, cushions, plants, and water features are great ways to add texture to your hardscape design.
Whether it’s having late-night one-on-one conversations or hosting large gatherings, knowing the purpose of your fire feature helps ensure your dream patio becomes a reality. For instance, if you’ll be sitting around the fire while making s’mores, chatting with family, or stargazing, seat walls that surround the firepit can provide your guests with comfortable and warm seating all evening long. As another example, by leaving a portion of your patio space open, you allow for more intimate conversations while keeping open space for entertaining, games, and the like.
If fire pits don’t seem like a good fit for your space, consider the variety of fire-feature alternatives! Incorporating an outdoor fireplace, pizza oven, or fire torch adds an excellent dimension to your outdoor oasis. So whether you’re ready to roast marshmallows or contemplating a patio addition, we are here to help you determine the best patio feature for you.
Finding what suits your wants and needs is our number one priority. We specialize in landscaping, hardscaping, grading, and outdoor maintenance projects, serving Wilmington, Delaware, and the neighboring areas. Our goal is to design, construct, and maintain your ideal outdoor space. To inquire about our services, send an email to sales@alcde.com or complete our online contact form.
