Create a warm and cozy space outdoors

HOME IMPROVEMENT | Justin Enrietta

More and more people are staying at home to entertain rather than heading out for a night on the town. The trend of staying at home has sparked many homeowners to invest in their backyards, with outdoor kitchens and patios. But, with the crisp fall air, homeowners have to look at how to extend the use of these areas beyond the summer months. The solution is simple – a fire pit.

Adding a fire pit is an ideal way to extend the season. The warm glow of the fire helps take the chill off and creates an inviting atmosphere for guests to gather and stay.

Before deciding on your fire pit, you need to consider a few items – local codes, permanent vs. portable, fuel source, design and size, and budget.

Your first step in designing your fire pit is checking local codes. Many municipalities have implemented rules and regulations on how and when you can burn. In addition, setbacks established by the municipality will govern where you can place your fire pit.

After you have cleared the local codes hurdle, next consider whether you want a permanent fire pit or one that can be easily moved from spot to spot. Each type has its benefits. A portable pit is a more cost effective option which can be easily relocated to the “place of action.” For one party, having the pit near the patio is the ideal spot, while another could be near the pool or other area of the yard. You could even take it wherever you go – whether camping or to the neighbor’s house down the street. Permanent pits are considered to be a feature of a landscape. They help add a focal point to any backyard area, plus can add value to your property as well.

Next is your fuel source. This really lends itself more to permanent fire pits than portable. Do you want the rustic look of burning wood or the constant and consistent flame of natural gas? Using wood for a fuel source requires no additional installation work, while with natural gas, you will need to work with your contractor to extend a gas line to the fire pit location. The gas line is an additional cost to the project and can be expensive.

Before you dive into design and installing your new fire pit, you need to consider a budget for the pit that works for you. The cost of a fire pit can range from a simple $100 fire pit from the local big box store to more than $10,000 for one installed by a masonry or landscape contractor. Do you want to make this the center of your landscaping? Or do you want it to just be there for those few cool nights you wish to sit outside? Answers to these questions help determine what you will pay.

Now comes the fun part. Knowing what type of fire pit you want and what you are willing to spend on it, you are ready to design. The design and creativity for a fire pit has no limits. Typically fire pits are circular, but they can be any shape or size you wish. With gassupplied fire pits, you can add decorative glass rocks, custom fire rings, and much more. You can even add grates for cooking or spits for roasting. The options are truly limitless.

And while designing, consider the area around the fire pit. Do you want sitting walls or a wood storage area? Some people have had custom wood tops to convert the fire pit into a table for additional entertaining space. With your imagination, it is possible to create the perfect oasis in your backyard. So, start planning now to warm up those fall nights with your own fire pit.

Justin Enrietta is the operations manager and one of the landscape designers for Designer Landscapes, Inc., of Farmersville. He has received education and training from Blackburn College, Carlinville, and Lincoln Land Community College.