How Fire Pits Come In Handy When Entertaining This Summer
Enjoying time outdoors surrounded by family and friends is one of the joys of summer. Nothing makes the experience better than gathering around a fire pit as the sun sets. If you’re wondering how much you will actually use a fire pit, here’s how fire pits come in handy when entertaining this summer.
The Classic Round Fire Pit
Round is the shape most people associate with fire pits. It brings back memories of campfires - and gathering around a fire is as old as humanity itself. Sitting in a circle encourages conversation and everyone has equal opportunity to share in the warmth of the fire.
This style is ideal for relaxed patios, or for fire pit areas set deeper into the landscape. A round fire pit can be rustic or ultra-modern depending on the materials you use.
Masonry fire pits are the most popular since they can be a DIY project that’s completely customizable in terms of diameter and height. Concrete wall units are a top pick because of their precise sizing; and of course natural stone will give you the most authentic campfire feel. Just be sure to add a generous cap stone on top, for those who like to warm their feet by the fire (or even sit by the fire, if the fire pit is gas-fueled).
Sleek modern round fire pit materials are often simple concrete; or, if you prefer a less “chunky” feel you could opt for a trendy fire bowl which takes the fire pit concept to a level of elegance. Fire bowls can be metal or concrete and while more expensive than masonry fire pits, they add a sophisticated feel to your outdoor living space.
Linear Shapes
Square and rectangular fire pits are ideal for more structured spaces where straight lines and angles dominate. Geometric shapes dominate in these formal spaces and the fire pit is often aligned in the same orientation as pavers or retaining walls. However, you can create a striking visual juxtaposition by placing the fire pit at a 45-degree angle to other horizontal and vertical elements.
The downside to square or rectangular fire pits is that whoever is sitting at the corners won’t have the same proximity access to the fire. This can be great for those who tend to overheat, but if you’re entertaining a crowd quite a few people won’t feel warm enough.
A solution to this is to elevate a square or rectangular fire pit to seat height and install a very generous ledge where people can sit as close to the fire as they like (again, best with gas-fueled fire pits rather than wood-fueled).
Raise the fire pit even more to the level of a dining table and you’ll create a “fire table” which is a dramatic blend of fire pit and dining space. In this case you will definitely want to use gas rather than wood, to eliminate the smoke-in-the-eyes feeling while your guests are enjoying dinner.
L-Shaped Fire Pits
These bold design statements are perfect if you love to host large parties. For a small gathering, you could position a few chairs around the edge of one of the “legs”. When you’re hosting a larger group of people, you have the option of creating multiple seating areas around the fire pit.
This design is also ideal for defining separate spaces with the intent of creating outdoor “rooms,” for example as a feature to separate a seating area from a dining area.
Conversation Pit
Fire pits don’t have to be at or above the level of the patio. Creating a sunken fire pit area brings back the retro “conversation pit” feel. High-backed seating helps hold in the heat on a chilly evening. This design is best using gas, to avoid smoke interrupting with the fun on the patio.
A Great Investment
Whichever style of fire pit you choose, you are making a great investment in your outdoor living space. A fire pit will encourage you to use your patio throughout the year, rather than only during the relatively short summer season. Since you are paying for your outdoor space regardless of the season, you may as well enjoy it year-round; and with a fire pit, you can.