A fire pit is like an invitation that says “Come hang out!” And since fire pits can draw a crowd, their placement and the design around them are important. If you’re considering adding a fire pit, here are 5 landscape design tips that showcase fire pits in the Brookville, NY area.
Related: CUSTOMIZED DETAILS FOR YOUR OUTDOOR FIREPLACE IN SOUTHAMPTON NY
Treat It Like a Focal Point
A fire pit is a natural focal point made to stand on its own. One approach is to embrace that and place it a good distance away from other patio features such as the outdoor kitchen or dining area. Separation inherently makes a fire pit a dramatic focal point but this has a practical reason too: ease of movement.
Fireside gatherings tend to be mellower gatherings rather than more active gatherings such as those that happen around the meal itself. If anyone has to go around the fire pit to get from here to there, it’s in the way.
Be sure that the location of the fire pit (including seating around it) is not in the flow of traffic, such as a corner of the backyard or on a patio peninsula where nobody will be tripping over it.
Balance It
A fire pit is a focal point but you don’t want it to be the only one. Create balance for the greatest aesthetic appeal. Balance the visual heft of the fire pit (and surrounding furniture) with a fountain on the other side of the patio; or even a pergola that shelters a seating area.
A fire pit needs space around it. The fire pit itself is fairly small (often just 4-5 feet across) but consider the space around it. You will need 6-8 feet on all sides to accommodate chairs as well as walk behind them. This in and of itself makes the fire pit an automatic focal point.
Cozy It Up
Even if you’re installing a gas fire pit, locate it out of the wind. A fire pit creates a cozy gathering space but wind has a way of sending everyone indoors, even if the fire is inviting. A windbreak such as a privacy fence will make the space feel not only cozier but more intimate as well.
Integrate It
Although a fire pit is a standalone focal point, you’ll get the most aesthetically pleasing results by choosing materials that complement the rest of the patio. An obvious tie-in could be using the same materials on the fire pit as you do on your outdoor kitchen or a retaining wall. Or, it could be more subtle, such as a simple accent band that echoes the colors of the home.
Sink It
Remember the conversation pits of the ‘60s? Fire pits set in a conversation pit are wonderful for several reasons: it’s a great way to make use of a sloped lot (putting the fire pit on the lower level creates a dramatic view from above). When it’s sunken completely or built into a retaining wall, bench seating with back supports is more comfortable and doesn’t have a cluttered feel even though you can fit more friends around the fire. The bench seating should extend halfway around the fire pit, to make it easy for people to come and go and to allow the placement of a chair or two.
One consideration with a conversation pit is location: never put this area in a highly trafficked zone to avoid a falling risk. It should always be a destination.