Backyard fire pits are all the rage right now. They’re great looking additions to any outdoor space, and serve a number of uses for homeowners. And given the amount of outdoor firepit designs available, you’re bound to find one that fits your budget and lifestyle.
The first thing to do is – of course – research. You’ll need to determine whether you want something simple, something complex, or something in between. If the overall look is the most important thing, then perhaps a custom firepit will be the way to go. Before you begin, take a look at the fuel options now available for backyard fire pits:
WOOD: The most common backyard fire pits burn wood, so that there’s a “camp fire” feel to the design and implementation. Wood is relatively inexpensive to use and pretty easy to obtain. It’s best to use seasoned wood (logs which have been dried for at least six months) because it burns better.
GAS: If you live in a city or a place where firewood is more difficult to get, then a propane gas firepit is a good option. What’s really cool about gas-powered outdoor firepit designs is that they take advantage color. Gas pits tend to burn blue, which adds a sleek, modern ambiance to your yard.
CHARCOAL: Not all pits will burn charcoal, but the ones that do are especially useful for cooking. Some pits use charcoal in conjunction with wood, giving you the option for either fuel.
Now that you’ve looking into the fuel options, it’s time to consider which fire pit design ideas will work best with your space. The size of your yard, the amounts of entertaining you do and the amount you’ve budgeted all factor into what kind of outdoor firepit design you should choose.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Firepit Designs for Your Space
You’ve made the decision to upgrade your yard and its entertaining potential. You know that backyard fire pits are popular and useful, and you’re ready to take the plunge. But how can you choose from all of the fire pit design ideas out there? How can you be sure that the project will work in the end? Where do you start?
Budget: No one likes talking about money, but it has to be done. In truth, it has to be done first. There are few things that will look as terrible a giant whole in your yard. You need to determine what kind of budget you’ll be working with so that you won’t run out of money before the project is finished.
Permits: Don’t begin ANY project without looking into the local council’s rules first. Backyard fire pits may fall under a specific structural regulation, and the horror of putting all that time and money in the creation of a pit only to find out that the township won’t approve it is cringe-worthy. Make sure you’ve got permission to build it in the first place. (Here’s a quick hint: professional companies take care of the permits for you.)
Space: It’s time to take a good look at how much space you have – and what that space entails. If you’re sitting on acres of land, you might assume that large-design backyard fire pits are the way to go… but do you really want to walk half a mile to get to it? If you have a wooded lot, then the outdoor firepit designs you consider need to take that into account. There’s no sense building a massive wooden pit if the flames might lick the tree branches.
Landscape: The best fire pit design ideas are the ones that are easily incorporated into your current landscaping. If you’ve implemented stone hardscaping then a stone pit is a good choice. If your yard makes use of local plants and flowers then a custom firepit with locally sourced materials is the way to go. And if you didn’t design your own back yard, then it’s best to call a professional landscaper. S/he can see the “big picture” of what your yard could be, and create custom firepit with materials that will keep the overall look and feel consistent.
Time: Be honest: how much time can you really devote to this project? If you’re planning on redoing your yard in an hour on the weekend, a custom firepit is out of the question. A professional landscaper will give you a timeline upfront for their outdoor firepit designs so that you know exactly how long the project will take to complete.
In the end, your fire pit design ideas should fit what YOU want – and not what you see on the web. If you’re unsure about what would look best, call a professional landscaping company. They’ll take care of the details, leaving you free to enjoy the fruits of the labor.